I was following a thread on the Weight Watchers message boards a few weeks ago. It started with the question, “Can you lose weight without exercising?”
The general consensus, which is true, is that of course you can!
One of my favorites!
My question: Why would you want to??
Most people posting in that thread, said that food intake had much more to do with weight loss than exercise. They said exercise just helps you look toned. In other words, look good in your clothes with proper eating, look good naked with exercise.
OK, let’s look at the facts. You need to expend 3500 calories to lose a pound. So, creating a deficit of 500 calories per day will result in a pound lost each week. You might want to lose faster, but a pound a week is 52 pounds in a year….not too shabby.
So far this week, my exercise burned:
- Sunday: 411 calories (The Firm : Calorie Explosion, entire DVD + ab routine from their Core Solutions)
- Monday: 175 calories (Jazzercise Latin Live)
- Tuesday: 504 calories (Thank you Jillian Michaels: Extreme Shed and Shred, both routines)
- Wednesday: rest day
- Thursday: 457 calories (Amy Dixon: Breathless Body + ab routine from The Firm: Core Solutions)
Now, how can anyone say that will have no impact on my weight loss?!
Yes, it is true as Jillian often says, that you can eat your way to undoing any exercise. But, if you are watching what you eat already, then adding exercise can only help!
If you don’t like the “E word” then call it activity (like Weight Watchers does.) This helps you open your mind to the possibilities. For example, many people look at tennis or skiing as just having fun, but they are being active. Anything that gets you moving works. Find what you like (or can at least tolerate.)
I admit, I’m addicted. I LOVE the feeling of accomplishment when I work super hard (like I did three times this week already, and I’m not done!) You know that old saying, it’s going to feel so good when you stop? I push through aches and some breathlessness to get that result. But it’s more than just the calorie burn. In addition to boosting weight loss and firming your body, there are many health benefits from exercising. Visit Kathy Smith’s website and get some great information! (She looks great for 60, doesn’t she?)
So, can you lose weight without exercise? Yes. But, can you really get a healthy shapely body without it? I don’t think so!
I was really bummed; I had a 
msdalereynolds@gmail.com 
