Can I Lose Weight Without Exercise?

 

This is an extremely common question because many people dread exercise. The idea of panting and gasping as they pound on the treadmills for hours is a most unpleasant thought for many folks who are used to leading a sedentary lifestyle.

Resistance training is more torture because of the muscular aches and pains that will follow the next day. Because exercise involves expending effort, many people express disdain towards it.

To answer the question as to whether one can lose weight without exercise, the answer is yes. One can definitely become skin and bone if they starve themselves long enough.

However, there are several negative repercussions from losing weight through a restrictive diet alone. In this article we’ll look at some of the benefits of exercise and what you can expect if you try to lose weight without working out.

 

• You’ll not have a well-toned body

 

There is a term in the fitness industry known as ‘skinny fat.’ Basically, what this means is that a person is slim yet most of their body consists of fat. This is one of the results of eating little and not exercising.

Your body will not have muscle tone because you’re not exercising. This is definitely not healthy and while you may be skinny, it’s not a good state of health to be in.

 

• Low metabolism

 

Exercise boosts your metabolic rate. If you do not exercise, you body will have a low metabolic rate. That will mean that the moment you eat more than you usually do, you will gain weight.

It also means that as you age and your metabolic rate drops further, you will gain weight even if you eat the same amount. Your slower metabolic rate will not burn the same amount of calories as it once used to. The inevitable result is weight gain.

 

• Muscle atrophy

 

As we age, we will lose muscle mass unless we constantly work our muscles. There is a reason why Stallone has more muscle at 70 than most men in their twenties. He never stopped working out.

If you do not exercise, you will lose muscle mass as you age. The more muscle you have in your body, the more calories you burn while at rest. The reverse holds true too.

When you have less muscle, your tendency to gain weight is much higher. The only way to prevent weight gain as you age is to engage in resistance training.

 

• Prevents diseases

 

Your body needs exercise to stay strong. Lack of exercise can lead to cardiovascular disease. Other health issues like diabetes, blood pressure problems, osteoporosis, etc. will be able to take root in a body that is weak.

Exercise isn’t just about aesthetics. There is a very real and serious implication to not exercising enough. Your health and life is at stake here.

When you move more, your body stays limber and flexible. You become stronger and tougher. This will mean that as you age, you will be a healthier and more physically capable individual.

You may have seen many older people unable to get around without assistance or they need walking canes and other aids. In the majority of these cases, you will notice that they’ve led highly sedentary lifestyles and their lack of exercise has come back to haunt them. You really do not want to end up in such a situation.

To conclude, while you can lose weight without exercise, you still should engage in exercise. It will tone your body and you will look great. A lean body that’s achieved with a good diet and exercise is a lot more attractive than one that is just skinny due to a highly restrictive diet.

Exercise often. Find a few activities you enjoy doing and be active. Exercise can be fun. It doesn’t have to be torturous. Good things come to those who sweat.

 

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