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Ways to Quickly Lose Weight Without Exercise

Mar 28, 2011 | By Nicki Howell
Ways to Quickly Lose Weight Without Exercise
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The best method for losing weight is combining regular exercise with a reduced calorie diet. However, if you aren't able to exercise, it's still possible to lose weight quickly through diet modifications. Eating healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole-grains and lean meat will assist with meeting your weight-loss goals, without feeling hungry or using a fad diet approach.

Healthy Goals

Achieve your fast weight-loss goals by partnering with your doctor to create healthy expectations. The fastest weight loss recommended is 1 to 2 lbs. a week. Avoid fad diets, which promise fast weight loss. These diets typically severely limit the types of foods you consume or require you to eat a single food, such as cabbage soup, for days. Following a fad diet for a long period can compromise your health and result in regaining weight.

Calories

To lose weight without exercising, cut calories. When you decrease calorie consumption, your body is forced to use stored energy for life sustaining functions. For a 1-lb. weekly weight loss, you need to decrease your daily calories by 500 per day. For a 2-lb. weekly weight loss, decrease calorie consumption by 1,000. Women should eat a minimum of 1,200 calories, and men need at least 1,500, according to MedlinePlus.

Eat Fat-Burning Foods

Make every calorie that you consume count. Some foods promote weight loss; foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids appear to increase metabolism efficiency. This substance also helps slow down digestion and prevent cravings. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in flaxseed, mackerel, salmon and walnuts.

Monounsaturated fat is another substance to incorporate into your daily diet. Like omega-3 fatty acids, this food appears to increase your metabolism. Monounsaturated fats are found in foods such as avocados, olives and vegetable oils.

Portion Control

Keep your calorie consumption under control by monitoring portion sizes. Read labels to learn recommended serving sizes. If you aren't close to your household measuring cups, use visual cues. For example, a cup of food is about the size of your fist. A 1-oz. serving is about the size of your thumb tip. A 3-oz. serving of meat is the size of your palm. When eating rice, visualize eating half a baseball, which is about a 1/2 cup. These guidelines can help you better estimate serving sizes and avoid overeating.

References

Article reviewed by Adela McKay Last updated on: Mar 28, 2011

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