Can You Lose Weight Without Exercising?

If you hate exercise but you still want to lose weight, you may be searching for diets that will allow you to lose weight without having to spend hours in the gym. It’s definitely possible to lose weight without working out. You simply need to reduce your calorie intake so you are eating fewer calories than you burn during your normal activities.

So, let’s say that you have a pretty active job and you are on your feet for much of the day, walking or moving around.  Reducing your calorie intake by 500 calories a day or so should result in the loss of 1-2 pounds per week.   

See:  Calories Burned Calculator

However, if you lead a very sedentary lifestyle, you may have to cut your calorie in take WAY down in order to compensate for that, and it can easily backfire as your metabolism slows down and you lose weight at a slower and slower pace (if at all).  Reducing your calories too low triggers your body into survival mode and it gets harder and harder to lose weight consistently.

See: Calorie Deficit Calculator

A wiser approach might be to include modest amounts of physical activity that you actually enjoy doing - even if you don’t want to spend hours running on a treadmill or hefting dumbbells.  Do you enjoy dancing?  Walking your dog?  Painting and redecorating your home?  Maybe you would enjoy a calmer form of exercise like yoga or pilates? 

Exercise benefits your body in many ways beyond helping you lose weight; it actually helps strengthen your heart, lungs, and muscles.  It helps strengthen and balance your body - not to mention being a great stress reliever and making you feel really good when you do it regularly!

So, no, you do not “have to” exercise to lose weight, but you may want to include some forms of physical activity simply to promote better health and help boost your metabolism so losing weight and keeping it off is easier and more efficient.

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