Exercise helps to get the body strong and fit and it is a fact that weight bearing exercise helps to strengthen your bones too. I do agree, though, that what you eat is what is going to cause you to either gain or lose weight. Even most professional athletes maintain a strict, healthy diet.

For me, it's a must. Just dieting doesn't slough the weight off. I have to combine it with exercise. I like having toned arms and legs, though, so the extra muscle doesn't bother me.

Thanks for the replies. I posted it a while ago but doesn't make it any less relevant Probably less active as I was then

Absolutely no requirement to work out, although building a healthy lifestyle where exercise and movement play an important and enjoyable role is a good idea. Building strength, improving aerobic ability, all great things to do, and it can help with weight loss in a small way.

You can easily lose good amounts of fat with no exercise at all, I have clients doing just that, and as they have lost the weight with ease, they have got excited, and gravitated towards more activity, walking, badminton etc etc.

Don't let anyone tell you that 'eat less - move more' is the only way to get lean, it definitely is not :-)