Losing weight without exercise

I believe it. I've lost 30lbs, and although I've started running, I eat back most of my exercise calories so it hasn't dont much for weight loss. I know that many people on here have lost a lot of weight by being sedentary and not exercising. Exercise isn't needed for weight loss, though it is recommended and improves health and fitness.

Weight loss is simply about consuming less energy (calories) than you expend...so of course it's possible. It will be more difficult though if you are an otherwise sedentary person as your calorie targets will be rather paltry. I also don't recommend it as a matter of general health.

price101110 wrote: »

Thanks for the input! Changing the way you eat every day is very hard and stressful enough for me, i feel like i should stick to the diet first and then incorporate more exercise. I always quit because i feel like its all or nothing so im trying to change up my approach this time

Then it is better for you to take one step at a time so you don't feel overwhelmed.

If you start to feel like you want to do "something" but don't want to quite tackle formal exercise, try adding more movement to your day. Pace while you're on the phone, make more trips to the car with groceries, park further away from stores, clean the house more, do a few bodyweight squats while you're heating something in the microwave. Just think of little ways you can become inefficient in your day so you can add more movement. This will increase your total energy output and help you burn extra calories without formal exercise.

Last year, I started losing weight just by changing my diet. I lost 50 lbs that way. I took a break from dieting and now I'm back. During that break I gained back 15 though, so not changing activity level is a problem for maintaining after a loss, for me anyway

Friend of mine on Nutrisystem did it and she's in a wheel chair.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Of course you can lose significant weight without exercise. I wouldn't, but that's just me. All you technically need is to be in a calorie deficit to lose weight. The result in someone who is obese or morbidly obese is usually becoming "skinny fat". So aesthetically you won't look right in the end unless you had significant muscle before losing the weight. For me, exercise is all part of being fit and staying fit. My guess is that people who lose weight without exercise generally gain it all back then end up having to diet again. Adopting a moderate exercise routine going forward would help you stay fit and keep the weight off. Again, it's just my opinion.

Edit: The OP's profile mentions depression. Exercise is a good antidepressant. It makes you feel good afterward and can easily help your mood. It may take some willpower to get started but once you're done you'll feel great. Not to mention in the warmer weather if you get outside to exercise the added sunlight will also help keep you from being depressed. Give it a try.

I love exercise, but I have noticed in the past when I cut exercise out completely I tend to lose or lean out a little more. When I exercise I have a bad habit of letting my mind tell me its okay to eat more because I ran x amount of miles or I overestimate my calorie burn for my workout allowing me to eat more. When I am not exercising I tend to be more strict with my calories because I know I am not burning as much. So yes it is very possible.

Do you want to lose both muscle and fat? Then it's not necessary to exercise.
Do you want to lose mostly fat and retain your muscle? Then exercise.