I put on a decent amount of weight after getting married myself. I've been able to loose about half of it in the past few months with my gradually increasing running regiment. That being said there is about a zero percent chance I'll ever get my wife to go running. My wife loves being outdoors, and loves spending time with our dog. About a month ago I suggested instead of playing with our dog in the yard; we take the dog on walks and explore the neighborhood. You burn about 100 calories per mile whether you are walking or running. This has made a noticeable difference, and we enjoy the time together.
For any real amount of fat reduction, exercise won't work. It is helpful in increasing metabolism, but it doesn't burn enough calories to make any kind of serious difference in weight. To lose fat, you need to diet. It's the only way. Diet and exercise is even better, but exercise itself won't work unless you are just a tiny bit overweight and have only been that way for a short time.
Fully agree, but it's harder to keep the weight off if you consider it "a diet". Your brain categorizes it as a temporary thing, and will go right back to the same consumption of bad foods and/or quantities quickly afterwards. It's better to consider it a lifestyle change, as then you're more likely to stick to it if it's considered a permanent thing.
And that diet should be Butter, Meat & Cheese...
There is only one way to loose weight. That is to burn more calories than you consume, period. Both variables will make a difference, and I agree utilizing both variables is the best way. Most of my life I never concerned myself with what I ate. Most of it has been poor dietary choices, but with running 70-90 miles a week I couldn't have gained weight if I wanted. It was only after I started working 84 hr/wk and the my running tapered off that I began to gain weight. Additionally this thread has discussing lossing smaller amounts of weight. I've lost 20 of the 40 pounds I'm after. My wife is trying to loose 15. I don't know where she's at because I haven't asked her weight.
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