Losing weight without exercise

VeggieMelissa
VeggieMelissa Posts: 28 Member
edited November 26 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey guys! So over the past few years I've lost approximately 90 pounds. It started in 2013 when I went vegan and started incorporating more healthy foods into my life. (I've always been vegetarian)
I stopped being vegan in 2014 but then developed lactose intolerance so now I'm just a picky vegetarian I guess. Anyways, I dropped all the weight without going to the gym or exercising. It's just not for me.... I know I'll get a lot of hate for saying this all. The only exercise I incorporate into my life is walking my dog.
I don't have the time.... I work 2 jobs and am in school full time taking 5 courses, completing my last semester of my bachelors degree. When I'm not in school I have homework. I've been maintaining a pretty steady weight of around 120lbs but my body is not as toned as I would like because of lack of exercise.
Any tips on continuing weight loss without gym/exercise ? Changes in my diet I could make? Anyone else out there able to also lose weight without exercising?

:)

Replies

  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    Weight loss is about calories. If you eat less calories than your body needs you lose weight.

    If you don't do any sort of work to challenge your muscles some of that weight will be your lean mass.

    Continuing weight loss is simply ensuring that you are eating under your TDEE.
  • eep223
    eep223 Posts: 624 Member
    edited November 2015
    My advice would be that if the issue you're facing is that you're not as toned up as you would like to be, then losing more weight isn't going to help. I dig what you're saying about the time crunch, I've backed off on exercising lately for the exact same reason, but the good news is that working in some weight training or body resistance exercises takes waaayyyyyyy less time than increasing your walking, or even running.

    I know I hit a certain point where I can't cut my calories any more or I'll be starving, but if I add even just a little exercise I can eat more and get better results. You might find it easier in the long run.
  • sweetpea03b
    sweetpea03b Posts: 1,123 Member
    eep223 wrote: »
    My advice would be that if the issue you're facing is that you're not as toned up as you would like to be, then losing more weight isn't going to help. I dig what you're saying about the time crunch, I've backed off on exercising lately for the exact same reason, but the good news is that working in some weight training or body resistance exercises takes waaayyyyyyy less time than increasing your walking, or even running.

    I know I hit a certain point where I can't cut my calories any more or I'll be starving, but if I add even just a little exercise I can eat more and get better results. You might find it easier in the long run.

    This. It sounds like you don't really need to lose weight... don't take this the wrong way... but this is what many people call "skinny fat". You can reach your weight loss goals without exercise but most people aren't happy with the results. As EEP said, lifting takes way less time. Maybe look into New Rules of Lifting for Women. Typically you can get your whole routine done in less than 30min/session and you will see great results.
  • VeggieMelissa
    VeggieMelissa Posts: 28 Member
    sweetpea03b wrote: »
    eep223 wrote: »
    My advice would be that if the issue you're facing is that you're not as toned up as you would like to be, then losing more weight isn't going to help. I dig what you're saying about the time crunch, I've backed off on exercising lately for the exact same reason, but the good news is that working in some weight training or body resistance exercises takes waaayyyyyyy less time than increasing your walking, or even running.

    I know I hit a certain point where I can't cut my calories any more or I'll be starving, but if I add even just a little exercise I can eat more and get better results. You might find it easier in the long run.

    This. It sounds like you don't really need to lose weight... don't take this the wrong way... but this is what many people call "skinny fat". You can reach your weight loss goals without exercise but most people aren't happy with the results. As EEP said, lifting takes way less time. Maybe look into New Rules of Lifting for Women. Typically you can get your whole routine done in less than 30min/session and you will see great results.

    The skinny fat thing is EXACTLY how I would describe myself. No offense taken. Thank you for the suggestions. I guess I am just in the mind set that weight loss and cutting calories is my only option, but with typically only eating around 1000 calories a day, I'm going to have to try to incorporate some type of toning routine, (hopefully one I can do from home :))
  • sweetpea03b
    sweetpea03b Posts: 1,123 Member
    Get the book - there is a whole section on nutrition to support your lifting... I did the whole program at my house with resistance bands, a set of dumbbells and a balance ball and saw great results. Note, if you want to GAIN muscle... you have to eat more.... bulking/cutting... you can read more about that here as well. It sounds like you don't need to lose any more weight, you just need to build more muscle with what you already have.
  • beachhouse758
    beachhouse758 Posts: 371 Member
    You are proof that it is possible to lose weight without exercise! So that's not the question here, right?

    At 120 lbs and based on your picture, I don't think that (continued ) weight loss is the most logical step. I mean, chances are your body is just going to occupy smaller circumference/volume, but without adding exercise the shape/composition of your body won't change a lot.

    Find something that *you* like. A lot of people say they don't like to exercise bc they hate the thought of going to the gym to lift weights, take a group class or stay two eternities on the elliptical (I hate the thought too, but to each their own)

    If time is short, try 20/30 minute workouts like FitnessBlender.com, blogilates on YouTube, 30 Day Shred, Beginner shred, mini-trampoline, hula hooping, Couch to 5K outside (20-30 minutes), Power Yoga (uses body weight exercises to build strength), Winsor Pilates (20 minutes), HIIT Cardio -- all of these you can do at home - so you don't have to stress about spending time driving to and from the gym.
    You can also get a Swiss ball or resistance bands to give you more home exercise options.

    Best of luck on your journey :smile: )

  • eep223
    eep223 Posts: 624 Member
    You could try some dvds too. Like many people on this site, I've used the Jillian Michaels stuff. She does a combo of cardio and mostly body weight stuff, all you need is a mat and a set of hand weights. I had awesome results toning up with 30 Day Shred (lost inches!!)... but more importantly, it's SHORT! I think each workout is something like 25 minutes. I was doing it every day, but you'd probably do fine with 3 or 4 days a week.

    Just some ideas to keep mixing up the workouts!
  • jeromeloresco05
    jeromeloresco05 Posts: 29 Member
    in addition you could also try the 10 minute trainer exercises. They are not much to start with but you could always do more when you have more time.
  • sweetpea03b
    sweetpea03b Posts: 1,123 Member
    Agreed.... 30DS is good. I've never gotten through the whole program, I am easily bored but seen lots of folks with great results. If you're interested in trying lifting... here's some good info on losing fat/gaining muscle... http://scoobysworkshop.com/gain-muscle-lose-fat/
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    melissaweststeyn wrote: »
    Hey guys! So over the past few years I've lost approximately 90 pounds. It started in 2013 when I went vegan and started incorporating more healthy foods into my life. (I've always been vegetarian)
    I stopped being vegan in 2014 but then developed lactose intolerance so now I'm just a picky vegetarian I guess. Anyways, I dropped all the weight without going to the gym or exercising. It's just not for me.... I know I'll get a lot of hate for saying this all. The only exercise I incorporate into my life is walking my dog.
    I don't have the time.... I work 2 jobs and am in school full time taking 5 courses, completing my last semester of my bachelors degree. When I'm not in school I have homework. I've been maintaining a pretty steady weight of around 120lbs but my body is not as toned as I would like because of lack of exercise.
    Any tips on continuing weight loss without gym/exercise ? Changes in my diet I could make? Anyone else out there able to also lose weight without exercising?

    :)

    weight loss and weight management in general does not require exercise.

    losing more weight isn't going to make you "toned"...you actually have to do exercise for that look.
  • Cjmi427
    Cjmi427 Posts: 26 Member
    I started using the You Are Your Own Gym app for times that I can't get to the gym. I was sick of using my busy schedule as an excuse to just do no exercise at all. The app is awesome and super flexible! If you spend some time exploring all the exercises and work out plans you'll find that the app will accommodate any fitness level or amount of time you have available to exercise. And you don't need any equipment. The only thing I'd recommend is reading Body by You or You are Your Own Gym as well to get a better idea of how the program is intended to work.
    As far as not liking exercise, I pretty much despise steady state cardio. I've found that do I like the feeling of getting progressively stronger with strength training. The YAYOG app actually can incorporate some cardio as well depending on the workout you select.
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    I'd go with the weight lifting if I were you, also. It's not nearly as time consuming, and you'll likely be much more pleased with the results. Start with your body weight and work up to heavy weights. You will be pleased with the results.
    As far as weight loss - yes, no exercise is necessary. You just need to eat in a deficit. If you start lifting, I'd increase your protein and decrease your carbs.
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