Long term success without dedicated exercise?

I really, really admire those who become dedicated to the gym and working out. But it's not for me. Or for most other people. I can count on one hand the number of people who consistently go to the gym for a period of years.

I'd guess that half never go at all. Of the other half, most go infrequently during that first year. A handful go a lot for a year, maybe two, then stop.

But I would say that, even though the majority of us don't "exercise," we are very active. I had 120,000 steps last week, and walked over 12 miles on three different days. I usually get at least 5 miles each day.

There are lots of studies that show that increased activity is more healthy than exercise, for a variety of reasons. Look up NEAT to learn more. 

So yes, you can do great maintaining your weight loss without formal exercise.

I am not a Vet yet, but my past experience with weight loss was: I would go to the gym 5 times a week for 5 month. Then my lifestyle changed, I stopped going to the gym, I became frustrated, I ate and I gained it all back.

Now I go to the gym 1-2 times per week just for Strength Training and I just generally be more active. I figure I could maintain this for the next year and see from there......

Good luck - you are doing great!

It's so hard to defend my choice not to jump into a gym and be dedicated! LOL

I honestly do plan on getting more dedicated with SOMETHING. Time and energy are playing into my choice right now though, as it is, by the time I get home, make dinner, eat, feed horses and a cow, and maybe do some little household chore, it's after 7pm, and I go to bed at 9:30 (I leave the house at 6:40am)! I feel like I need those 2.5 hours to de-stress, see my kids and hubby, and relax (and that's only on the days that I'm not out showing houses until 7pm).

But with one friend 5 months ahead of me with her RNY working out like a pro, another friend scheduled for VSG on 10/4 getting in shape before the surgery, and yet another friend who has lost over 100lbs in over a year by eating better and working out at a gym ALL THE TIME... I'm under a little (self perceived?) pressure to jump on board. When everyone talks about all of their exercise, I'm sitting there like a bump on a log. Hahaha.

I know it's good for the heart, and other body parts... and I know it's healthy! (but SO MANY tell me to work out and it'll help my loose skin... um, no it won't, now go away!)

I need a fitbit. I should start counting steps and just using that to motivate me to move more... I should I should I should... going to look on Amazon again... right now! (Because this whole workplace thing is highly overrated, and I'm highly under-motivated today)

when family or friends doing things - I tell them "good for you!!"  "yeay to go".. but when they try to tell me what I need to be doing - I just smile say "That is interesting, let me think about it"... smile and walk away or change the subject...

Fitbits are great. Best 99 bucks I ever spent.

When someone asks if you go to the gym, tell them the same thing I do -- "I would, but it really cuts into my sitting around on my ass time."

I find the whole counting steps thing interesting. While I workout regularly (4X a week) I could care less what my step total is daily. My head won't allow me to equate X# of step to being "active." Just a personal hang up I have. Despite working out regularly- I rarely ever make 10K steps a day.. 6K is my goal, only on work-out days do I exceed 10K, but not always.  

I always tell people you have to find something you enjoy doing- and that may not be the gym. I have a nice combination of things I do- so I'm not always in the gym. 

There are days, once in a while, where I am very active but don't get many steps. This past weekend I got 5,000 and 3,000 steps -- but I was doing very strenuous activity for 8 to 10 hours both days. A have a blister from swinging an axe a gazillion times.

But normally, if I don't have many steps, I spent too much time sitting on my ass. That's what counting steps does for me. It's a reminder to stop being complacent and be active for more of the day.

The other thing the Fitbit tells me is how many minutes a day I was active. And minutes of activity is directly related to steps. If I'm not moving I'm -- not moving. It's a way to keep myself in gear.

I think we can maintain without exercising, but should exercise to maintain good health....and I should take my own advice!

I moved because I could. It was a new freedom and I was trying to get in the very best physical shape I could be in while waiting for a kidney transplant.

For me it's been about finding movement/exercise that brings me joy. Riding my groovy girl bike along the flat beach road by my house. Walking in beautiful places.

My favorite exercise/movement is swimming. No matter your weight it's accessible. I do belong to a gym with a pool (free with my insurance). I walk by the sweaty machines to the pool. It's rarely crowded even if the machines are packed. I swim with a snorkel back and forth. It's meditative. I really love the feeling. Bonus is afterwards I get to sit in a hot tub and a sauna for a while.

Don't sweat what others are doing. You will find your way. Look for things that make YOU feel good. 

Swim with a snorkel?  Brilliant idea!!