Any type of exercise, including folding clothes, will burn calories -- but you will lose weight only if you burn more calories than you consume. Even if you were folding clothes for a living, you would not burn all that many calories compared to more vigorous exercise, such as running or jogging. You would have to make up for this by consuming fewer calories. While it's possible to lose weight this way, it's not the healthiest or most reliable way to do it. Understanding how the weight loss process works can help you set realistic goals. Consult a doctor before beginning any weight loss or exercise program.
Calories
You need to burn 3,500 more calories than you consume to lose 1 lb. of fat. Most experts, including the Mayo Clinic, recommend losing no more than 2 lb. a week. To start the weight loss process, drop 250 to 500 calories a day from your diet. If you are typically expending as many calories as you are consuming on a daily basis, doing this will create a calorie deficit of 1,750 to 3,500 a week. You will lose 1/2 lb. to 1 lb. a week, even before exercising. To lose any more weight, you should do some form of exercise.
Diet
Don't exclude nutrition when you are dropping calories. Eating a lot of junk food or fast food will only give you empty calories -- calories without any nutritional value. Eat a diet that includes lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products. Avoid foods high in trans-fats and cholesterol, as well as added sugar and salt. Eat at least three meals a day and monitor portion control. Space meals three to four hours apart to allow for proper digestion and to keep metabolism regulated.
Exercise
To lose weight, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends doing some form of cardio exercise for 45 minutes at a time, five to six days a week, at enough intensity that your heart beats faster and you build up a sweat. Folding laundry will burn calories, but it won't increase your heart beat or make you sweat. More intense exercise not only burns calories, it boosts your metabolism, reduces stress, helps you sleep and helps the body fight disease. Consider adding some form of more vigorous exercise to your routine. You will lose weight folding laundry if you are creating a calorie deficit, but you won't reap the other benefits of more vigorous exercise.
Considerations
Consult a doctor before considering any type of weight loss program. He may prescribe a special diet if you are obese or need to give your weight loss regimen a boost. Folding laundry can help burn calories, but if you need to lose serious amounts of weight, you will need to exercise more vigorously. Combing good exercise habits and low-calorie, healthy eating habits will help you lose weight safely and effectively. It will also keep the weight off for the long-term.
Member Comments