Weight Loss with No Exercising

Docbanana2002

I used to have the same problem, that I would go exercise crazy and then crash and burn a couple of weeks later. Here's what finally helped me get to the point that I've been exercising consistently since around January of this year: Slow, steady, habit-building changes.

I started out by making very small changes to my daily routine that would allow me to just work a few minutes of more activity into my daily life. I work on a college campus where it's hard to find close parking, so I started out by giving up on finding a good space and driving each day the far-away lot that everyone hates to park in. It's about a 10 minute walk from my office. I found that this (1) reduced the stress of fighting for parking in the crowded areas (2) was actually pleasant, to have a morning walk before hitting the office and (3) it added 20 minutes of exercise to my day. I did this for about a month, then I added something new: a walk around campus sometime during the day. Nothing major, just a quick 10 minute stroll somewhere. To buy a cup of coffee at the dining center, or sit in a swing across campus and watch the squirrels, or whatever. Just get out and get some air. Over time, I added other things.... like a few minutes of stretching while watching TV on a few evenings a week.... working out with dumbells for a few minutes while watching TV..... etc. Over time I just kept adding new things. Now I do a yoga class once per week, weightlifting at the gym once or twice a week, running a couple of times, and dispensing with the drive to work altogether and parking at my house (I live 2 miles from my work)!

dopeysmelly

I echo most comments here. I started out with no exercise (other than shoveling snow) because I decided I didn't much like it. Then I started going for a walk because it was relaxing and helped my stiff back, and then it built up. And now, I'm finding that I desperately want to do more exercise because what I'm doing doesn't feel like it's enough, and it's frustrating that I have to hold off starting to run (I'm scheduled for knee surgery in a few weeks).

In short, I do exercise because of how it makes me feel. I would do it if it burnt 0 calories.

MinnieInMaine

Why isn't 2 pounds a week a realistic goal?

Per the OP's ticker, she has less than 70 pounds less to lose. To lose 2 pounds per week, you need a 1000 calorie deficit per day and when you have less to lose, to achieve that high of a deficit, you end up sacrificing calories your body need for basic nutrition.

Let's just say for sake of example that the OP's BMR is 1700 and her TDEE (sedentary) is 2040. Two pounds per week would mean she can only consume 1040 calories per day and that is WAY too low. With a 1.5 pound per week goal, her daily calories would be 1290 which is much more healthy and reasonable.

The solution in most cases is to counteract by exercising (to raise TDEE) so you can consume more calorie but the OP is against that idea at present.

Weight loss guidelines
If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal, and
If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal.

sweetd6

When I was a kid (and I might be dating myself here), I never once said to my mother "I'm going outside to exercise". I said "I'm going out to play!" And then I did. I ran, I jumped rope, I played hopscotch, we played kickball and croquet, we played "chase", usually the boys chasing the girls, and in the summer we walked to the local park and spent the entire afternoon in the pool. We made up long complicated games of house that always involved running around houses and sometimes climbing trees, lol. When in our minds did "play" become some obligatory "exercise"? I remember feeling sorry for adults because they never got to go outside and "play". There has to be something that can move your body that you would enjoy. Try to find it! It's good for health and for joy. For myself, walking has become a joy - I started playing games like "kick the stone" again. (You remember, if it goes in the road you lose, you have to keep it on the sidewalk!) I'm fortunate to live where I can do lots of errands on foot. Today it is raining, and I won't melt! Try to find something active to do that brings you joy.

jrline

Should be no problem just stay positive. If you can walk 4-5 days a week for 30-45 minutes. You should be very successful.

Good Luck on your Journey

LinOtt

Good idea! How about just planning a walk every day. Get yourself a tidbit and plan to walk 10000 steps a day. That's all you need, who knows the bug might bite.