No. For a human body to lose weight other than water weight, it requires a caloric deficit. This means that you need to take in LESS calories per day than your body requires to basically stay alive. If you want to bulk and develop muscle, you need exactly the opposite.

 

If you want to get in shape, swim laps. Freestyle, Breaststroke, butterfly will get you in great shape. Tread laps (a la water polo) with your hands above your head. The Fat will melt right off and you will get insanely cut.

+1 to what everyone else said about cutting calories (although swimming will make you want to eat more).

-1 for any kind of drug-assisted weight loss. Unless you are morbidly obese, you don't need it.

 

Buy a wii. Play an hour a day.

PS - on an elliptical machine it takes about 20 minutes to burn of 400+ calories.

If you drink a super-sized coke, that's nearly 400 calories alone.

It's not easy to keep calories low with american food / fast food and the size of portions now-a-days.

I think the easiest way to lose weight is to pick up a hobby/sport that you enjoy and can do regularly, so it is more about fun than work.

 

Stay consistent with your exercise too. Don't slack off too much.

 

www.crossfit.com

 

have you switched to diet drinks yet?

 

I just re-read the title of this thread and maybe I can help some from experience. Earlier in the year I was up to my all time high of 162lb so I decided I needed to cut some weight. My goal was the mid to high 140's (so about 15 lb). I decided early on that I wasn't going to use any supplements or weight loss pills, just on diet and exercise alone. Here is what I discovered. (BTW, I am in no way a doctor, nutrionest, or personal trainer, so take my advise with a grain of salt. This worked for me, but everyone's body is different so it might not work for you. Also I am going for a slimmer toned look, if you want to bulk up I'll let someone else fill you in on those details).

-First off it says you want to lose 40 lb. Well expect for that to take some time and dedication. To lose a pound of fat (water weight doesn't count) you need a calorie deficient of around 3500 calories. So even eating right and exercising expect to only expect to lose 2-3 pounds a week (running at a good pace for an hour burns about 750 calories so keep that in mind). Also weeks will go by where you lose no weight, you can't get discouraged by this.

-Second is your diet; dieting is probably the single hardest part of losing weight. Now you don't have to go on a crazy 1000 calorie a day diet, that'll just tire you out. But you do have to begin eating right. Cut down on portions and stretch them out throughout the day. Cut out un-needed calories (soda, candy, chips, etc.). Stick to whole grain foods, lean proteins (chicken, fish, yogurt, etc.), water, fruits, and vegetables. I personally try and keep my calorie intake to about 1600-1800 a day. Remember to drink lots of water (straight pure water) during the day, not only does it help you stay full between meal, but it also helps you with weight loss.

- Now continuing with the diet, don't cut out everything. This is why a lot of people stop the diet that they are on, they feel the need to cut out every "bad" food that they eat. I still go out and drink beer and eat fried chicken, but I only do it in moderation. Once every two weeks or so, to give myself a treat. It gives me something to look forward to after working out hard and eating right for a while, and it keeps me motivated.

-Which brings me to my next topic, modavation. The key to losing weight is finding something you enjoy doing while burning calories. It takes a strong willed person to run on a treadmill everyday for an hour, I know I get bored silly after about 25 minutes. But running outside on the roads, or through the woods keeps it interesting. You can also try biking, swimming, rock climbing, or one of the about 1000 sports out there to keep things fresh. Also your going to need modivation if you decide to go to the gym. A gym/workout buddy is the best way to keep your ass going.

-And as far as the workouts go, if your looking to just lose weight, stick to mainly cardio. Now this doesn't mean you can ignore weight training, just try doing it at a cardio pace. I'm lucky enough to have a great class schedule at the gym I go to which is well rounded and fun (plus the one instructor is super hot). Oh, and a lot of guys think classes are for chicks, and although the majority of people there are female, the ability to set your own resistance makes it tough for even the most in shape guy. Here is my weekly workout schedule:

Mon - Run for 15 minutes, 15 minute ab routine (non-stop), 60 minute weight training hitting all muscle groups at a cardio pace. Lots or reps with lower weight.

Tue - 15 minute running warm-up, 60 minutes spinning class, 10 minute ab routine

Wed - 30 minute run, 60 minute cardio weight training, 60 minute cardio martial arts class

Thur - 15 minute running warm up, 60 minute spinning class

Fri - either I take friday off or I try to do the 60 minute cardio martial arts class

Sat - Usally yard/house/car work keeps me moving all day, if not I go for a 30-45 minute fun run on the road/in the woods

Sun - I take Sunday off to rest

Now if you haven't worked out in a while, don't go in the gym and beat yourself up the first day. To the people who work out, how many time do you see this: Someone joins the gym who needs to lose 30-40 pounds. They get on the treadmill and run like a madman for about 10 minutes, looking like they about to die the entire time. Then they go to the weight part and begin pumping iron like it's going out of style (and it always seems to be the bench press first). You see them go everyday for the first week , then three days the following week, then two the third, then they are gone. The point is, getting back into excercising regularly is tough, so ween yourself into it instead of diving head first.


Well I hope that helps...again I am no professional but using these tips I've been able to cut down to 147 pounds, tone up (I can finally see some abs poking through my fat ), and feel great everyday (I don't get that tired at 3 pm feeling anymore). Good luck and if you need any help feel free to PM me.

 

I'm the type to snack throughout the day and have smaller meals, and it's a killer going to virtually any restaurant when I'm in the US. Even if I order an appetizer as a meal, there are some places where even those portions are too big.

 

I can't say this has been my experience. When I lift I become incredibly hungry and my intake probably doubles within a week of starting a new routine. I don't get nearly the same hunger from cardio. I would imagine it depends on the person and their usual diet.

Lifting will have advantages/disadvantages. Since lifting tears up your muscles, your body spends the next two to three days repairing them, all the while burning extra calories in order to do so. But this can cause you to cut fat while not actually losing much, if any, weight since you're building muscle.

If your goal is just to lose weight, then I would say go with cardio. If your goal is to get in shape, then go with weight lifting. You might not lose as much, but you will look and feel better.

 

for the joe average 160lbs is not over weight. for sure great for you tho.

if your primary goal is to lose weight exercise can get into the way.
all for doing the gym but to start and exercise plan + a weight loss plan where there was nothing before, just too much.

there is not alot of calorie loss due exercise, just dont eat. to attempt to gain strength while calorie deficient is sometimes like flogging a dead horse.


so what is your calorie intake? write down what you eat in a day, for a few days and research how many calories that is.