Can You Lose Weight Not Exercising?

Introduction

With the COVID-19 outbreak, I also found myself stranded at home with nowhere to go. Having nothing much to do, I started gaining weight after the first week of lockdown. It made me feel lazy, unmotivated, and despondent. 

For me, this was a turning point. I couldn't imagine myself going through another day like that. Especially with reports of overweight people not doing well with the new virus. So I decided to take action. The first thing that crossed my mind was to exercise. But I was limited in space and couch exercises didn't really appeal to me. 

What happened next came naturally to me; to eat less. When you are in a state of desperation, eating is often the last thing on your mind. You lose appetite just by thinking about the consequences of eating a lot. But maybe that was exactly what I needed in order to get on this journey. But that is not to say the fear of eating is necessarily a good thing, as this could lead to serious health issues. 

I will not give medical advice in this article as I am not a doctor. I am just sharing my experience. And just because this worked for me, that doesn't mean it will work for everyone else. So please do not take this as a substitute for professional medical advice.

Eating Less

Or Intermediate Fasting. This type of fasting is based on the idea that our bodies work better when there is less food to deal with. This method is not meant to deprive our bodies of nutrients, but rather to save resources so our bodies can work on necessary tasks other than food processing, like healing for example. So not only do we take in fewer calories by fasting, but we also improve how our body works. 

I used to fast up to 24 hours, which isn't that impressive as some people do longer. But for me, this was more than enough to notice the changes within the first week. The key for me was to grab dates or similar nibbles whenever I feel too hungry. This made me go longer without main meals. And after a few days, I was able to fast a full day without nibbles. 

At the end of the first week, I felt less lethargic, less sluggish, and more energetic. And I felt much better about myself. Eating became a rewarding and joyful experience, and not just a chore.

Eating Better

It's not only about when to eat but what to eat. And more importantly, what not to eat. There would be very little effect if we are going to close a fasting day with junk food, or food high in sugar. Sugar for example is a quick fix. It is a substance that is processed quickly in our bodies, and it gives us a short-term energy boost. So eating sugar is not only a bad source of energy, but it also makes you hungry again after a short time. 

For me, sugar was the number one contributor to my weight gain. So I decided to reduce it to a minimum. This was a very big change for me, as I was used to eating sugar in large quantities. But after just a few days, I could feel the difference. I felt more energetic, more focused, and less sluggish. It was almost like I was a different person. So I was determined to stick to this diet.

Find an Alternative

Changing our eating habits is not easy. Especially when trying to give up addictive food. We need to find alternatives to deal with the addiction. Alternatives will make a habit easier to break. For example, baked potatoes could replace chips. If we would try to abandon addictive foods without finding a healthier alternative, it could be a real struggle. And we are likely to give up half the way. 

I used to be addicted to chocolate. Always looking for that chocolate bar in the fridge. I could eat it in any quantity and at any time of the day. Quitting this high-sugar addiction was a big challenge. I had to make a real effort to find a healthier alternative. That is when I started drinking coffee with milk. I found it to be a very satisfying substitute. Not only does a cup of latte have less sugar and more caffeine, but it can replace the flavor of chocolate and give you that feeling of satisfaction. I did cheat at the beginning though, but breaking a habit doesn't happen overnight. It is a process. After a while, my body couldn't handle chocolate anymore, or any other high sugar foods. 

Stick to it

It is important to maintain the new eating habit. Because after a while, our body will get used to it. And then it will just be a normal part of our diet. We shouldn't give up half the way. Even if we find ourselves cheating from time to time, we should just get back on track. It's really not a big deal. 

It took me a little over a month to get used to the new lifestyle. Two years have passed on and I don't miss any of the bad foods I used to eat. Although my weight is still not ideal, I am happy about it. 

Don't Over-Complicate 

Keeping it simple is another important part of the whole process. If we over-complicate the process, we are likely to fail. A short list of high-fat foods to focus on should be enough. Creating a complex diet that is full of ingredients is not only not necessary, but it is also very difficult to follow. 

I still eat some unhealthy foods. But I do it in moderation and I try to stick to the rules. I will not allow any new food addiction that could destroy my life. I find this balanced approach to be the best way to keep myself on track.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would say that it is possible to lose weight by just adjusting our eating habits. Fasting is a crucial step in that direction. It disciplines us to control our eating habits and it can help us find alternatives to our food addictions. So we shouldn't be afraid to give fasting a try. But the key is in simplicity and continuity.  

I would never have imagined being able to lose weight while staying at home and not exercising. And during the most difficult Covid19 period no less. If I managed to shed extra pounds then, how hard can this be now?