When it comes to losing weight, exercise is not the only viable option. Learning to lose weight without entirely focusing on exercise can be beneficial to those who don’t have time.
There are only so many hours in a day. Fitting in everything you need to do between breakfast and dinner can be an overwhelming task. With Americans feeling busier than ever before, it can sometimes seem impossible to find the time needed for a proper workout regime.
If you can’t make it to the gym, is that the end of your weight loss dreams? Not necessarily. There are actually a number of other viable options when it comes to dropping pounds. Interested in learning how?
Read on, and we’ll walk you through some amazing ways you can lose weight without focusing only on exercise.
1. Eat Fiber-Rich Foods
A lot of weight gain comes from overeating. It’s a bad habit many of us have gotten into over the course of our lives. If we feel even the slightest pang of hunger, we reach for the pantry or fridge.
Eating foods that contain plenty of fiber can’t help to limit this urge. Fiber-rich foods are more satiating than others and can help you feel more full and satisfied after eating.
Viscous fiber actually forms a gel when it combines with water. This slows down the digestion system and means it will take longer for you to get hungry again. This is why many weight loss supplements are heavy in fiber.
2. Drink More Water
In addition to many other health benefits, drinking plenty of water can also help you to lose weight. If you drink water before a meal, it can help fill you up and prevent overeating.
Drinking plenty of water has a significant impact on the number of calories you are taking in during the day. You want to keep your calorie intake low when attempting to lose weight, and drinking lots of water is the best way to do this.
You should definitely work to replace soda and other calorie-heavy drinks with water if you want to see results in your weight-loss journey.
3. Focus On Sleeping Better
It’s far too common for people to neglect the impact a healthy sleep schedule can have on their overall state of being. It can feel tempting to stay up late and binge-watch television or enjoy a night out, but these activities can have repercussions on our appetites.
Improper sleep schedules can disrupt the appetite-regulating hormones known as leptin and ghrelin. Disruption in these hormone levels can cause your hunger to increase sporadically.
Such hunger can make you much more prone to heavy snacking. Once you start snacking and over-eating, you can kiss those weight loss dreams goodbye.
Getting a proper night’s sleep, on the other hand, can help you feel refreshed and focused on the task at hand. It can also help to decrease your risk of developing diabetes or a number of other diseases.
4. Check-In With Your Doctor
Sometimes we gain weight and no matter what we do, we can’t seem to keep the pounds off. In some instances, this is actually due to disorders in the body and not a lack of diet or exercise.
For example, a thyroid disorder can cause rapid weight gain in an individual, along with feelings of sluggishness or exhaustion. In these instances, proper medical attention and medication can help stave off the pounds and get a patient back on track.
If you feel you’ve been gaining weight without any cause, it might be worth checking in with your doctor and ensuring that everything is okay.
5. Go On Long Walks
If you live in a city or neighborhood that’s not too spread out, try walking to some of your errands or meet-ups instead of driving. Yes, you’ll need to plan a little extra time to make sure you’ll get from A to B.
But this little bit of activity during the day can actually burn a surprising amount of calories. Not only is it good for keeping your calorie count low, but it’s great work for your heart and mind– and you don’t have to overexert yourself to do it.
You can even use a Fitbit or phone application to help count your steps and keep track of how many calories you’re currently burning. For many people, keeping track of the numbers helps motivate them to keep the activity up.
Some people even make a game out of it and try to ‘beat’ their numbers from previous days. This can be a great way to lose pounds and enjoy a little bit of sunshine!
6. Practice Portion Control
The number one way to lose weight without exercise is to exert some control over what you’re eating. Ensuring that you’re eating a properly sized meal (not too much and not too little) can do wonders for your body.
Many people struggle with portion control because they aren’t actually sure what a proper portion looks like. One way to overcome this issue is to buy containers and plates that fit exactly the right portion sizes.
You can also use different applications and guides to help you plan your meals at a proper ratio. If you’re looking for more inventive ways to lose pounds, you can discover more here.
It can be hard to fit a full gym workout into your daily routine. Luckily, there are many ways to lose weight without exercise, with the above being just a few good ways. This way, you can drop pounds while keeping your productivity up.