Which is better: Working out and eating more, or doing less of both?

A

Aricia

0
I am a 23 year old female trying to lose roughly fifteen pounds, that is, my last fifteen pounds. Because I am very determined, I am really working hard at it.

I am struggling with something though... I have been doing a lot of cardio lately, a mix of walking (4mph), running, and working out on the elliptical machine. I am actually getting extremely addicted to it though, and have been doing a mix of these for between 2-3 hours a day.

I am not used to exercise for weight loss, except maybe for a lot of walking. However, rather predictably, I have an increased appetite now that I am using exercise. I am still not eating a lot of calories by any means, so I'm not one of those people who works out and then pigs out and then whines about not losing weight (I AM losing weight =P).

Most of the time when I want to lose weight, I tend to go on a 1,200 calories a day diet. When I don't work out, however, I tent to go off it quickly. Now that I am working out, I can't help but eat at least a little bit more (probably between 200-300 calories more) mostly just for increased energy. Now that I've added working out, I find it a lot easier to keep my calories down, and I'm not always thinking about food, so I've been able to stick with it.

I'm sorry that I've written a little much (I tend to be very long-winded)... but I guess my main question is, is it better for me to keep working out as I am, even if I am increasing my calories, or should I eat less and exercise less? (Keeping in mind that over indulging after a workout does NOT happen). That is, which is more effective and would be better. I know the calorie deficit may be about equal either way, but I don't know which would be better overall.

Thanks in advance. =)
 
Physically, I don't think it makes much of a difference, you are probably just spinning your wheels. Psychologically, anything that helps you stick with your diet is a good idea.

A few problems you may encounter with lots of exercise, a deficit, and a lower body fat percentage are weight loss stalls and stubborn fat..If you find you can't lose the weight despite knowing you are doing everything right, consider eating a week or two at maintenance (I know, blasphemy for dieters who are always in a rush to get here and there, but it does work), or consider doing your cardio in a fasted state (upon waking, or 4-5 hours after your last meal) to help burn a higher proportion of fat.

Lots of vegetables and protein will help with the appetite. As will fats (healthy ones like avocado and olive oil not burgers and ice cream).
 
I would think exercising more and eating more would be the better option because you are getting fit, not just losing weight. If you are netting the same calorie intake either way, you'll lose the same amount of fat. But if you are working out you'll be increasing your cardiovascular fitness. Thin may be in, but there is something to be said for being strong and in shape too!!
 
VanillaFrosting said:
I am a 23 year old female trying to lose roughly fifteen pounds, that is, my last fifteen pounds. Because I am very determined, I am really working hard at it.

I am struggling with something though... I have been doing a lot of cardio lately, a mix of walking (4mph), running, and working out on the elliptical machine. I am actually getting extremely addicted to it though, and have been doing a mix of these for between 2-3 hours a day.

I am not used to exercise for weight loss, except maybe for a lot of walking. However, rather predictably, I have an increased appetite now that I am using exercise. I am still not eating a lot of calories by any means, so I'm not one of those people who works out and then pigs out and then whines about not losing weight (I AM losing weight =P).

Most of the time when I want to lose weight, I tend to go on a 1,200 calories a day diet. When I don't work out, however, I tent to go off it quickly. Now that I am working out, I can't help but eat at least a little bit more (probably between 200-300 calories more) mostly just for increased energy. Now that I've added working out, I find it a lot easier to keep my calories down, and I'm not always thinking about food, so I've been able to stick with it.

I'm sorry that I've written a little much (I tend to be very long-winded)... but I guess my main question is, is it better for me to keep working out as I am, even if I am increasing my calories, or should I eat less and exercise less? (Keeping in mind that over indulging after a workout does NOT happen). That is, which is more effective and would be better. I know the calorie deficit may be about equal either way, but I don't know which would be better overall.

Thanks in advance. =)
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It's much better. When I was doing 2 hours of cardio (before I hurt my knee), I was eating 2000 calories a day and still losing 2 pounds a week. I felt much stronger and healthier (and my asthma was improving dramatically). I can't work out hardcore right now, so I'm eating 1200 calories. I have to say I have less energy and I feel less healthy doing it. I can't wait for my knee to fully heal so I can get back to building my health and strength.

If you're eating fewer calories, you're bound to be missing out on some nutrients as well. So if you can avoid it and still lose weight, it's much better in my opinion.
 
eating more and working out more is better by far. However, cardio isn't really the best exercise to use to lose the last few pounds. Cardio really doesn't do much more than nothing when it comes to fat loss for the last little bit. The real key for last few pounds is resistance training. Hit the muscles hard, it will do way more for you than any running can possibly do.
 
Actually, out of everything if you are trying to lose those 15 pounds..then you need to cut calories. Weight loss is calories in vs calories out. Take a look at your calorie intake and cut it down.
 
Thanks to you all so far for the comments. =)

It seems that overall, both working out and eating more is a good idea... I really hadn't thought about the fact that eating more will allow me to get more nutrients in me =P Hehehe...

Even while working out though, my calorie intake is still quite low... as I've said, I wouldn't cut it more than 200 or 300 calories if I stopped working out...

I know that resistance training is important... and I'd really like to try and get into it... I just never know quite what and/or how much to do. I do know I have to start with it though, particularly on my lower body. My upper body is very small (bust is 31.5 inches around, waist is about 24) and muscle shows up almost immediately... however I know that my bottom (hip measurement 35.5...I am pear shaped) tends to get a bit "sad" as I lose weight and it doesn't look as nice. =P I also find resistance training hard to stick with... not because I don't enjoy it (I do) but rather because I feel a bit lost when attempting it. I also don't want to go to the gym, luckily I live in a house full of fitness freaks and we have all kinds of exercise equipment (easily more than $15,000 worth @.@).
 
VanillaFrosting said:
Thanks to you all so far for the comments. =)

It seems that overall, both working out and eating more is a good idea... I really hadn't thought about the fact that eating more will allow me to get more nutrients in me =P Hehehe...

Even while working out though, my calorie intake is still quite low... as I've said, I wouldn't cut it more than 200 or 300 calories if I stopped working out...

I know that resistance training is important... and I'd really like to try and get into it... I just never know quite what and/or how much to do. I do know I have to start with it though, particularly on my lower body. My upper body is very small (bust is 31.5 inches around, waist is about 24) and muscle shows up almost immediately... however I know that my bottom (hip measurement 35.5...I am pear shaped) tends to get a bit "sad" as I lose weight and it doesn't look as nice. =P I also find resistance training hard to stick with... not because I don't enjoy it (I do) but rather because I feel a bit lost when attempting it. I also don't want to go to the gym, luckily I live in a house full of fitness freaks and we have all kinds of exercise equipment (easily more than $15,000 worth @.@).
Click to expand...

With resistance training, you need to seek advice hands on wherever possible- your posture makes a big difference to how well you do, how you progress/how many reps and injury risk.

When you have the basics: how to move, what posture to keep, what weights to go for etc, then maybe look at ways to get different ideas, I get ideas from womens fitness type magazines. Not all are so unique but they do give you a structure and also some new ideas. They also give recommendations you can stick to without worrying you haven't done anything worthwhile or if you are in doubt that you have worked hard enough.

But get the basics first, make sure your able to understand whats going on so when you try different things, your already informed.

Try also Pilataes as it teaches you proper core control and how to stand, this can really come in useful when you use weights. Also as your core stregnthens, you find a new sort of stregnth which enables you to work harder and also helps to prevent injury.
 
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