Looking to try and lose some weight, but anxious about the gym

CWMMC

Recently I've gone through alot within the last few years of my life which has led me to drinking daily for the past few years. Obviously I know I need to stop this due to a financial reason but also for a health reason. Every day I was coming home and eating a takeaway and just going to the pub to drink. I seen a picture of myself recently and I was disgusted at how I looked and don't feel comfortable in my own skin. I want to change it but I'm nervous about joining a gym and I don't actually know why? I'm not sure if it is people looking at me and feeling vulnerable or incase people laugh or if I'm just nervous. I used to go the gym every day after work previously and never had this issue before, its just creeped into my mindset lately. Any tips for someone in this position?

With the winter evenings also coming in and the weather being miserable it's a bit hard to go for a walk after work. Also in regards to joining a sports team, I personally would love to go back to playing GAA or football but I have it in my head that I'm not good enough and that people don't want me or I'll let the other players down. Which obviously is different to a gym which I'll be just focusing on my own goals.

Cill94

Sorry to hear you’ve found yourself at this point.

Sounds like sport is what you’d enjoy most and stick with.

You can also do workouts from home. Going to a gym is not essential.

bladespin

"I seen a picture of myself recently and I was disgusted at how I looked and don't feel comfortable in my own skin"

You're far from alone, I'd bet that over half the members of most gyms feel exactly the same, that's why they're there, most will be focussed on their own gaols so won't be judging anyone else. 

murphthesmurf

If it's any help, nobody is going to notice you. I've been in and out of gyms for 30 years, the people who get noticed and looked at are the biggest and strongest guys. Next time you go into a gym, take note of who you find yourself looking at.

Good luck to you. Training in the gym will give you self discipline, it takes a LOT of hard work. When you make progress you know that progress is entirely down to your blood, sweat and tears. No one did it for you, it was all you.

Patsy167

As above, hard to go wrong with the 20-40-60 Rule. At 20 you are constantly worrying about what other people think of you. At 40 you wake up and you say I'm not going to give a damn what other people think of me anymore. And at 60 you come to realize that no one is actually thinking of you.

AllForIt

Forget about the gym and exercise.

Loose the weight by eating less.

You'll loose the weight way faster doing it that.

You're concerned about something that isn't even worth being concerned about.

Give up simple carbs and sugar, you'll eat way less and the weight will drop off without wasting your time sweating it out in the gym.

Go to the gym in a year when you'll look much better.

bladespin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122742840#Comment_122742840

Really poor advice there, you loose weight twice as quickly if you follow a good nutrition plan and increase your fitness levels.

AllForIt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122743913#Comment_122743913

Rubbish.

People on this forum always seem to want to make loosing weigh as complicated as possible.

You don't have to do anything to loose weight, you have to stop what your doing and do less.

I once went to the gym 2 years solid 6 days a week. I did 5 days strength training, cardio most days as well, ate very healthy foods mostly, Never really got anywhere what you could called lean, maybe lost 50% of the weight. That's terrible for 2 years training.

Back again at it but this time vastly reduced my food intake in terms of volume, by giving up carbs and sugar. The weight just disappeared all by itself. I'll soon be fully ripped. Way easier than all that exercise.

A lot of people who want to loose weight will do everthing except the one thing the should do and that is consume less, way less. If people what to make it harder for themselves take your advice, do lots of extra activity, instead on focusing on the actual cause of the issue, and see where they get.

bladespin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122744110#Comment_122744110

Not rubbish, simple thermodynamics - eat less and burn more, sort your intake and increase your work, nothing at all complicated to it.

Wanderer78

fcuking hell, how fcuked up have we become, a combination of both exercise and healthier dieting improves such situations!

the reasons for your behaviors are largely psychologically based, having unmet needs etc, cut out all addictive substances and behaviors, start eating healthier, experiment with various forms of exercise, until you find what works for you, forms that motivate, interest and excite you, this does not need to be gym based exercises, but if that works for you, rock on….

if you want to go deeper, consider counselling, your gp is a place to start there, as theres probably deeper issues thats lead you to this point…

best of luck

herbalplants

You need to tackle the obvious which is drink less. This attracts eating rubbish.

What I would recommend is get yourself in the cold sea that would do miracles on your mental health, make you stop drinking and affects also burning process.

Tefral

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122744207#Comment_122744207

Have to agree, its a mathematical numbers game really. Going to the gym will certainly change your body composition and if you burn more calories, your body will start to metabolise your fat stores.

If your maths equation:

Calorific intake > Calorific Expenditure = net gain

Calorific intake < Calorific Expenditure = net Loss

You'd often hear of the saying: "you cant out train a bad diet" and its very true.

To answer the OPs question about the gym, I know most people would say they would not be looking at people at the gym and thinking anything bad. In fact, most people wouldnt even notice you. The gym for most people is one of the only times they can really focus on themselves in their daily lives.

I think OP, get going on sorting the diet, give it a month with that, once you start to see the scales moving in the right direction, you will naturally want to keep that going and then sign up to the gym and then keep the momentum going.

The drink is a crutch. Kick that for a while, most people do a dry November anyway so it wont stick out. The cals you will save from not intaking that alone would be a big help to you and your goals. Replace your focus on the few beers with setting up your health.

For what is worth, from a random stanger on the internet, You need to be very proud that you are even taking these steps. The hardest thing to lift in a gym is the front door. Once you get through that, you'll do great.

granturismo

I started logging my food and drink on myfitnesspal. I knew I was eating the wrong types of food and drinking too much but seeing the data helped give me the kickstart. I started walking at lunchtime and then a few weeks later started couch to 5K.

A few years later, I'm not keeping to a regular exercise schedule but my 3 meals are consistently much healthier.

o1s1n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122742840#Comment_122742840

As true as this is, I will just add that the OP sounds like they're going through some difficulties beyond the physical. Drinking every day would be a sign of depression.

Just cutting out food to bring your calories down is great for losing weight, but I can't imagine suffering depression and then trying to cut out one of the major things that's a source of joy.

Exercise is a great way of helping sort out your head space, so I'd definitely recommend it for that purpose alone.

Either way, best of luck OP! You can do it. I'm not one for the gym myself but built cycling into my every day commute about 5 years ago and at 40 have probably never been as healthy in my life.

GreeBo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122744255#Comment_122744255

On paper its a numbers game, but eating 1 calorie is far easier than burning off 1.
You cant out-train a bad diet, ergo diet is by far the most important thing when it comes to losing and controlling weight.

On average a 5KM in 30mins run will burn about 300 calories, also known as a snickers.
Your maths based argument will say that 300=300, but I know which one I can do easier than the other.

Tefral

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122744294#Comment_122744294

100% and thats the point I was trying to get across. Fix the diet first, once the scales start moving, then look at the gym.

AllForIt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122744282#Comment_122744282

As true as this is, I will just add that the OP sounds like they're going through some difficulties beyond the physical. Drinking every day would be a sign of depression.

I've been there myself I used to drink every day. Rapid weight gain, and drinking all those carbs made me crave more in food.

I totally agree that if they are off the beer and depressed cardio is excellent for clearing the head but the OP seems to want to do the exercises in they gym so all I was getting at was to use a progressive approach, loose a good bit of the weight first before going back in the gym since they are self-conscious. That was the specific concern the OP has.

If the OP could get some cardio done outdoors instead of in the gym in the mean time I agree that would be great and recommended, but should not think this is the answer to the weight problem, rather dedicate themselves to eating less and in going well in 6 month's or however long it takes they'll feel way better about themselves where they can then tackle the gym.

Honestly OP, I have a meniscus tear on my knee, I can't do the volume of running I used to do, after 2 years of physio it's getting better. Because of this, maybe it was a blessing in disuse, the only way I could shift the weight is by eating way less. Turns out I found this is by far the easiest and most effective way to loose weight and the fact it happened so relatively quickly was so inspiring as well.

Hank the DJ

Something that has worked really well for someone I know that was in a similar situation, joined a gym that had structured classes, nutrition advice and ongoing check ins/ tests, has lost an absolute load of weight since January even though he's probably eating more than he ever did, think the accountability of having semi personal trainers is a massive thing for him.

Theres a way for everyone, hope you find yours.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122744110#Comment_122744110

This is really bad logic.

You had poor results the first time because your diet was poor. It's very strange to draw the conclusion that the gym is a waste of time from that. Your diet was the issue. If you are such bad results over 2 years, it doesn't exactly suggest that you knew/know what you are doing.

If your goal physique is to be a skinny waif, without a shred of fat or muscle, they sure you could achieve that by undereating alone. Most people want some sort of physicality which requires improving fitness and conditioning generally.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122744294#Comment_122744294

It's not an either/or situation. ou can't out-train a bad diet. But nobody suggests that the approach should be training to cover up a bad diet.

Not eating a snickers will be -300 cals. Not eating a snickers and running 5km will be -600 calories. Pretty obvious which one will see faster and better results.

GreeBo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122744958#Comment_122744958

Agreed, but its FAR easier to not eat the snickers than it is to run 5k, pretending that they are the same effort because both are 300calories is incorrect & misleading for people.

JIdontknow

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122744958#Comment_122744958

This. Exercise alone is not the magic potion to weight loss, you can't out train a bad diet. I have lost some weight recently but due to injury I couldn't exercise at all during this time. In my case it was a matter of home cooking, reducing carbs (potato / pasta / rice, etc.), portion sizes, healthy snacks, things like that I was considering. Then I got a bit complacent, and am now getting back on the wagon again! Not saying exercise doesn't help btw.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122745034#Comment_122745034

Nobody has said there are the same effort. The point is that doing both is better than doing only one. I'd have said that was is incredibly obvious. It's crazy that people would dispute that.

Calorie deficit is critical. Adding the gym on top only improves the situation. Keying word: "Adding". The gym doesn't replace the diet. Do both.

Cill94

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122744110#Comment_122744110

I once went to the gym 2 years solid 6 days a week. I did 5 days strength training, cardio most days as well, ate very healthy foods mostly, Never really got anywhere what you could called lean, maybe lost 50% of the weight. That's terrible for 2 years training.

All that means is you ate too much during that time. If you combined the revelation about a calorie deficit, along with the training, you would have got better results.

While you can lose body weight by just eating less, that ignores three things:

1. If you are not strength training during a diet, you will lose significant amounts of muscle.
2. Not exercising means will have to restrict your calories a lot more and make the process unecessarily miserable
3. Exercise is good for your health and provides so much more benefits than just aesthetics. Reduces your risks for so many diseases, increased strength, bone density, heart health, improved mental health etc.

Actively encouraging someone to avoid exercise and just focus on calories, simply because you didn't understand how calories work, is just straight up bad advice.

purplefields

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122744207#Comment_122744207

That's true…

BUT

Look that the back of any random food product and look at the calories.

Now go on an exercise bike or treadmill and see how long it takes to exercise that amount of energy.

What's easier? - the exercise, or not eating the food product in the first place?

After 30+ years of going to the gym, what I have learnt that effects weight is this:

- Genetics. (I'll never be Arnold, even with drugs)

- Diet

- Exercise

In that order.

Exercise is fantastic. I feel great after it and it's good for fitness and strength etc. But it sucks at weight loss.

Tefral

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122745486#Comment_122745486

I think you may be overlooking the point that Mellor and others are making. If you go to the gym, you expend more, so that gives you a little bit of a higher allowance too to maybe eat something that you might not be able to over the Cals or help you lose more weight faster.

No one is disputing the fact if you don't eat something, you wont have to exercise it back off…

Also, the other well publicised benefits of training, especially for symptoms of depression

GreeBo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122745067#Comment_122745067

And I'm not attempting to dispute that at all, just underlining that the idea that a calorie in is the same as a calorie out is too naive a computation in the real world, exercising takes effort and willpower, not eating "just" takes willpower.

By all means do both if you can, but if you cant then pick diet.

bladespin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122745034#Comment_122745034

I don't know, tbh, a 30 minute run to cancel out the snickers bar sounds like a bargain, well at least for only one bar every now and then, little things like that can make following a program a lot easier.

bladespin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122745486#Comment_122745486

I'm really wondering where you got the idea that I suggested nutrition/diet doesn't count for much, I simply state that a combined oeffort of good nutrition and physical acticity produce the best results in the shortest time.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122745559#Comment_122745559

Others that I responded to were literally disputing the idea that exercise and diet together was better than diet alone. I don't think anyone who thinks evercise

And in terms of weight loss, a calorie is a calorie. In or out. The fact that some deficit calories are easier to earn that others doesn't make them any less equal. The more active you are, the easier it is to create a given deficit via your diet.

GreeBo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122745709#Comment_122745709

"And in terms of weight loss, a calorie is a calorie. In or out. The fact that some deficit calories are easier to earn that others doesn't make them any less equal"

Sure, in a mathematical sense they are equal, but from a person trying to lose weight sense they are not.
You said it yourself, "the fact that some are easier to earn than others". Surely that's an important thing to point out to people who are trying to lose weight?

I don't see any value in repeatedly stating that "a calorie is a calorie" as if its as easy to burn 300 calories as it is to not consume them in the first place.

If the argument was "should I consume 300 calories of crisps vs 300 calories of carrots" then 300=300 is relevant, but not when comparing exercise vs diet.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122748375#Comment_122748375

If you do some work and get paid 50euro, or you find 50euro. One of those was must easier to earn, but they are still entire equal. what you can do with them is the same. Something being harder to earn doesn't change it's value. Which is basic what you are suggesting

It's not a case of which do you want. It's do you want one or both? The idea that one is as good as both is laughable.

Surely that's an important thing to point out to people who are trying to lose weight?

And where was it not pointed out? The advice was that a good diet in critical, and a fitness plan further improves things. Which a poster said was rubbish. We're point out that both is in fact better. Which part of that are you actually arguing with? Because your post is most a strawman.

I don't see any value in repeatedly stating that "a calorie is a calorie" as if its as easy to burn 300 calories as it is to not consume them in the first place.

Nobody has claimed is is as easy to burn as not consume. If that your inference, then its a silly inferance tbh. It's been repeated started that you can't out train a bad diet. You are making up and countering a nonsense argument to that nobody has suggested.

BTW looking at the deficit numbers alone is pretty flawed. You need to look at is it as a ratio of overall TDEE.

• A 1500diet, with a sedentary TDEE of 2000 is a deficit of 500.
• A 2500diet, with a sedentary TDEE of 3000 is a deficit of 500.

In both cases the person consumed 500 less than they needed. Diet is always a variable. The fat burned should be the same. But thinking that one is as easy as the other to maintain is very naive. In the first, the cals in:out are a 3:1 ratio, the second it's a 5:1 ratio. That will have a big impact of satiety, hunger, and the psychological effects of dieting.

If the argument was "should I consume 300 calories of crisps vs 300 calories of carrots" then 300=300 is relevant, but not when comparing exercise vs diet.

That sentence perfectly sums up why your argument is a strawman. Nobody has suggested that you can ignore diet and do some exercise instead.

It's not "exercise vs diet". It was Diet vs Diet and Exercise. This was already point with in your snickers vrs snicker vs a run situation. Not eating a snickers and doing a run is the biggest net loss. arguing that is really silly.

Why would we ever need to compare diet and exercise. Everyone has a diet, whether you exercise of not, you consume food. Your diet will always be the calories in side of the equation. It's always a factor.

GreeBo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122748609#Comment_122748609

Its ease or lackthereof is more important than its value when you are the one that has to put in the effort. Would you rather earn €50 by a week of coal mining or by an hour of googling? The idea that it doesnt matter because both get you €50 is frankly ridiculous. Of course the effort required matters to the person who has to put in the effort, from a thermodynamics point of view it doesnt matter to the system, but that is hardly relevant.

"Nobody has claimed is is as easy to burn as not consume. If that your inference, then its a silly inferance tbh. It's been repeated started that you can't out train a bad diet. You are making up and countering a nonsense argument to that nobody has suggested."

You say this but then continue to argue that €50 is €50 and it doesn't matter how you earn it as the net result is €50.

The reason you compare diet to exercise is that its EASIER to diet than it is to exercise. There is zero effort to eat a snickers, there is WAY more effort to run 5K, especially if you are someone who is already out of shape and the idea of even attempting to walk 5K would be a barrier to just getting off the couch.

You are approaching this as someone who already has a good diet and exercise level, ignoring that that is not the starting point for the majority of people posting here who are trying to lose weight.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122749986#Comment_122749986

You are still presenting it's would you rather A or B. That is wilfully disingenuous or a lack of reading comprehension.

You say this but then continue to argue that €50 is €50 and it doesn't matter how you earn it as the net result is €50.

I said $50 is $50. Because it is.
I never said it doesn't matter how you earn it. I said do both. I have no idea why you find that hard to grasp.

The reason you compare diet to exercise is that its EASIER to diet than it is to exercise. There is zero effort to eat a snickers, there is WAY more effort to run 5K, especially if you are someone who is already out of shape and the idea of even attempting to walk 5K would be a barrier to just getting off the couch.

As I pointed out above, this is highlights how bad you logic is. They both have to diet. The guy who exercises doesn't eat a snickers either. Which is why is idiotic to present that as a choice between

So the diet only guy needs to eat a deficit of 600 to equal the diet and exercise guy. That's now twice as hard. And those are small numbers. You should be looking at a total deficit of 500 from food alone, and close to 1000 on training days. That not easy to do via food alone.

Thinking eating at a deficit takes zero effort is naïve imo. If dieting took no effort, people would lose weight whenever they liked. But the fact is, most diets fail. However, the higher your TDEE the easier it is to eat at your target deficit, and the less likely you are to fail.

You are approaching this as someone who already has a good diet and exercise level, ignoring that that is not the starting point for the majority of people posting here who are trying to lose weight.

I'm approaching from what I see as the highest chance of success. Activity & Diet will be more comfortable and sustainable than Diet Only at any deficit imo. I'm a little surprised anyone would disagree.

What that "activity" is, is scalable to a persons current ability, obviously. Someboy with no fitness, and very overweight will not be jumping into 5km runs. It might be something simple as extra steps over the day - or some other low impact activity. It will all help.
Saying that exercise is useless as part of a weight loss plan (along with diet) is simply incorrect.

GreeBo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122750345#Comment_122750345

As I said, the simplistic response of "just do both" is not useful to someone who is currently struggling to do either. Its better to run 10Km than 5Km, so why doesnt everyone just do 10Ks?

From a thermodynamic system point of view, doing both will lead to the most results, but you are dealing with a human with feelings and emotions and a life. I didn't say a deficit takes zero effort or anything of the sort. Please don't put works into my mouth.


The reality is that it takes less physical effort to not eat calorie rich food than it does to burn off that same calorie count. Of course you should do both, but there are a million things that people should do that they don't because they are hard. To someone over weight and unfit its easier to work on a better diet (even if to just stop gaining weight) than it is to start exercising. As evidenced by this very thread.

As you already know, I never said that exercise was useless as part of a weightloss plan, so if you are going to continue making stuff up I will just leave it there.

purplefields

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122745652#Comment_122745652

I would say that for quite a significant portion of the population, no way is running for 30 minutes anywhere near worth a snickers bar.

30 precious minutes and no fat loss at the end of it because you ate a snickers bar! Throughout those 30 minutes your brain screaming at you to give up. No way José!

Diet alone would probably work better for fat loss for the average Joe rather than diet and exercise, because the exercise component is likely to make them give up the endeavour entirely. People also seem to hugely over-estimate the effects on fat loss exercise has - just look at this very thread from people involved in fitness.

bladespin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122753271#Comment_122753271

I salute your willpower so, for most it's sticking to a good nutrition plan that's the hardest thing, we all like our beer, chocolate and crisps (well I do), trouble is is you're soley diet it's very tough to keep it going, there's a lot of motivation to be had from becomming fitter.

TBH I'd dispute that snickers assumption, if you're into your snickers etc then a 30 minute run will probably expend more energy than someone following a good plan but hey, each to their own, whatever works for you, tried diets of all knids for years with the predictable resluts, took up fitness, the nutrition followed and still on plan nearly 10 years down the road. - I am speaking from experience here and I'm not here to argue or fall out with anyone either, just present my opinion.

redoctober

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058375050/looking-to-try-and-lose-some-weight-but-anxious-about-the-gym

I think the fact you're planning to make changes is the hardest part. I'm not much into fitness for the sake of it and probably like many go through phases when you put on a few pounds and then others where you're more controlled and cut back. It gets harder when you hit middle age. The pounds stay on easier than they fall off.

What works for me is to cut back on the obvious things like the carbs, the fats and sugars that you know are bad. Try to restrict those to the weekend when you can have a limited amount without going crazy. During the week try to be stricter. Reward yourself with other things if possible rather than food (I know that's tough) but you will get more used to it after a bit. Have some healthier snacks in the house. Don't buy bad snacks cos you WILL eat them.

I use an exercise bike which I bought second hand online. Works fine. Do about half an hour a few nights a week. You could step this up if you wanted to 5 nights a week. Every second evening do some weights. It's easy to get some cheap weights from one of the big stores. I got some from Argos years ago. I'm sure some of the other big stores would do them cheap. Look up some exercises and you can do 20 minutes - half an hour of that every other night. After a couple of months you'll be feeling much better about yourself. All you need is to start. Try not to be too hard on yourself and reward yourself for efforts that you make.

Alf Veedersane

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058375050/looking-to-try-and-lose-some-weight-but-anxious-about-the-gym

Well, you've made the first step which is to admit that you need to address a few things. It's not always easy to admit things to ourselves, let alone put it out there for others to read.

First things, first...address the drinking.

Second, you probably have a reasonable idea of the bad food choices you need to cut back on at this point. Takeaways, for example.

Third, if you want to increase your activity, do something you enjoy because you're more likely to keep it up. You don't need to go to the gym. If you enjoy it, go for it. If football is what you enjoy, do that. No matter what it is, don't avoid it because you're afraid of what other people will think. The vast majority of people won't think like you imagine they will.

Lastly, go easy on yourself. Don't expect perfection and a slip isn't failure. Like that Vince Lombardi quote...it's not about whether you get knocked down, it's about whether you get back up. You might slip from time to time and if you do, dust yourself off and get back on the saddle and go again.

GreeBo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058375050/looking-to-try-and-lose-some-weight-but-anxious-about-the-gym

As direct feedback to your question, unless you are dressed in ridiculous clothes and making an ass of yourself, no one in they gym is going to even notice you, so dont worry about it. Go and do your thing.

Alonzo Mosley

In my gym people who are overweight or obese and are training are generally well respected. The feeling is - you're overweight but at least you are trying to do something about it so kudos to you!! Don't be afraid to ask others questions, I'm sure they'll be glad to give you tips.

felonious_Gru

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058375050/looking-to-try-and-lose-some-weight-but-anxious-about-the-gym

Ease yourself into it by doing the exercise bike until you feel comfortable to get on the floor

ballyargus

A gym is a brilliant tool to help with your fitness. However I'd never recommend joining one as a first step. First, build new habits, whether it's walking or gentle running 3-4 times a week.

Embed the habits as a ritual. You will improvements within a couple of months. Join a gym once you have embedded the habits

I only say this because there's a risk of wasted money AND feeling crappy for not going if you don't make use of it.

In most gyms people are focused on their goals. In really good gyms members support one another in achieving their goals. Negative judgement doesn't come into it.

Good luck. I hope you're able to make the changes you want!

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122752712#Comment_122752712

Nobody said "just do both". We said doing both was better. (ironic that you complan about putting works in peopls mouths). That was described as rubbish. You can continue to defend that if you like, but lol obviously.

 I didn't say a deficit takes zero effort or anything of the sort. Please don't put works into my mouth.

You said it takes zero effort to [not] eat a snickers. In fact your whole argument was based around that. Not sure what you are getting at above.

(You actually said eat a snickers, but I assume that you were not recommending people eat snickers for weight loss and mean to type not eat. Though, if you mean just "eat", then it also takes zero effort to not go for a run, less effort in a fact. Which is more helpful that eating a snickers)

The reality is that it takes less physical effort to not eat calorie rich food than it does to burn off that same calorie count.

There are two many variable to say that definitively. The first 300 cals sure, completely agree. But each subsequent calories is harder to avoid with diet alone. To go to an extreme, you can't burn 3000 calories from diet alone. You could with exercise.

To say its always easier to do it with diet is wrong imo.

Of course you should do both, but there are a million things that people should do that they don't because they are hard.

I've literally been saying that all alone. You should do both. You kept disagree and making claims that don't really hold up. as I'be pointd out.

As you already know, I never said that exercise was useless as part of a weightloss plan, so if you are going to continue making stuff up I will just leave it there.

The initial post that start is said that exercise was rubbish (as part of a weight loss plan). That what posters disputed, and you jumped in to counter those posts. It's reasonable to think you were disagreeing with everyone based on the above. As I said, lol.

Cill94

Contrary to popular belief, there are plenty of people out there who would rather exercise a lot to enjoy their food a bit more. Finding exercise you enjoy is the key.

Rooks

I used to go to the gym 5-6 days a week for about a year recently when I was out of shape, the biggest dudes in the gym were actually the friendliest towards me and I was on saluting terms with most of them. I think it was because they recognised the effort I was making and we had something in common because of it. There was definitely no judgement.

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When Covid hit I started to do weights at home. I’ve not gone back yet.

I’m in the exercise AND ear healthy camp to lose weight.

Re the GAA club. You should definitely go back. There’s more to it than getting on the starting 15 or subs bench. You may get there in time, but you’ll be part of the set up from day one.

Good luck!