Should You Diet Before You Exercise?

[Dottyy]

Should you lose some weight through dieting before you start an exercise program? I think focusing on healthy eating is going to be hard enough in itself.

[Old_Geezer]

I don't believe there is that much of a connection. Exercise is for health and you can ease yourself into an exercise regime/habit at any time. Whilst low calorie diets are for weight loss and you can start that whenever appropriate too.

[RATTER15]

I would start both together, its not easy to lose weight without exercise.

[murraymints]

if you have a lot to lose i would lose weight then exercise..get a disc ..good fun and it works..

[Hypognosis]

Jogging while significantly overweight risks damaging hip, knee and ankle joints. Stick to walking, for as long as it takes to register some permanent weight reduction and take up fast walking before running.*

Obviously consult your GP before you set out on an exercise regime, due to blood pressure and heart health issues.

*Walking is less energy-efficient than running and burns more calories per mile. If you opt to run -and- set goals in terms of distance, rather than time, the tendency will be to cover 'n' miles and then stop. As you gain fitness, you run faster, finish sooner and might burn fewer calories than walking for a set duration (eg 30 mins/day).

[Cloverjo]

It depends on how much weight the person has to lose. Has he/she already started on any diet or fitness plan?
If healthy eating is the problem, please may I recommend a fantastic diet that involves no going hungry or going without any types of food except the obvious things like pizza, chocolate, sweets. It's called The Fast Metabolism Diet by Hayley Pomfrey. It will tell you what kind of foods you need on particular days and what kind of exercise you need to do, too. I lost 1 and 1/2 stone in no time and have kept it off over a year later.

[Hypognosis]

Slightly out of left field: What is the person's house thermostat set at? Would they consider lowering it by 1 or 2 degrees? They could burn more calories without lifting a finger -and- speed up their metabolism a tad.

[Old_Geezer]

And feel cold and miserable to boot !

[Daffy6543]

Join a local gym, see if your area has a YMCA one, they are well equipped and cheap to join. It is always best to get fit and diet at the same time. A lifestyle change is required to lose the weight and keep it off.

[Hypognosis]

@Old_Geezer
//And feel cold and miserable to boot !//

No way! Who's going to notice a 1 or 2 degree nudge to their settings? Consider it a challenge and take yourself a holiday on the heating bill savings.

My current setting is 17C. The boiler has fired once or twice in the last few days but the radiators didn't warm up at all. I'm almost at the point of wearing something over the shirt again.