My two cents-- for a long time I held at 200-205, moderate activity. Had not depended on activity/exercise to drop the weight, but the loss of the weight helped me get off the couch.

A couple years ago I worked ware house: fast paced,heavy lifting go faster-faster- faster-- just starving and cram my mouth full of food. And not gain.

THen boss moved me to a sedintary job-- just standing in a cubicle for 8-10 hrs a day. The pounds JUMPED on. In 2 months, TWENTY pounds heavier-- then back to the other job..... much harder with an extra 20. ANd not coming off.

Too many factors affect weight loss and maintenace to say exercise is the definative difference between sucesss and weight gain.

Exercise is just one ingredient in the 'formula' for me. Keto is another. Sensible caloric intake is yet another. Staying hydrated helps (mostly water and a modest amount of coffee/tea).

Quitting any one of these has an effect on my weight.

One added benefit of the exercise though is physical well-being. I am capable of doing things I couldn't do if I were more sedentary.

Bob

I do brisk walking. Sometimes I'll mix a little sprint it, but when running flat out full speed there is little shock to the knees.

I also avoid fowl (chicken, turkey, duck) because the arachidonic acid is inflammatory. I keep egg yolks to a minimum too.

With this change in my diet, along with low carb (I already was doing that) and no organ meats (don't really care for liver) I went from not being able to walk 2 blocks without stopping due to the pain in my hip to being able to walk 4 miles with no discomfort.

If you are having joint pain, you might try that for a month to see if it works for you.

Bob

Ms Arielle I agree with your predicament......my job changed from an active one that required movement to a desk job and the pounds piled on. After 15 years in that desk job I was overweight and physically way out of shape. Of course I should have done something when it was happening but I didn't and so here I am. I have lost a lot of the weight, but age and arthritis also arrived and has hampered my beginning to exercise again due to knee pain. Walking is painful after a few minutes. I have been in rehab for my knee, and am currently undergoing a series of gel shots in my knee. I want to exercise for my heart and lung health more than for weight loss because I know you can lose without the exercise. I am looking at purchasing a recumbent stationary bicycle to use at home, and am beginning to do some exercises in the pool now that its summer.

all I know for sure is that you have to keep moving if you want to be mobile and healthy as you age. The more weight I lose the easier it is on my body when I try to exercise.

We're all like the snowflakes: No two alike. What's going on inside our bodies is a mystery, which is why I do so much self experimentation.

When I was in my 30s add dancing 8 shows a week, the men lost weight while we women did not. If I did a modified fast diet while dancing those 8 shows a week, I would lose weight quickly. Had no way of know whether the exercise helped. 500 KCAL per day will make even a woman lose pounds.

Now that I'm older, the necessity of exercise is just that~a necessity. My muscle tone falls quickly away and aches and pains return. Whether I've lost or gained ounces, that has become my new normal.

I got rid of most of my joint pain by giving up fowl and egg yolks. They are high in arachidonic acid.

A doc gave me the anti-arthritis/anti-bursitis diet. I'd already given up carbs, and never liked organ meats.

I saw results in less than a month.

Bob