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Though diet and exercise are the best ways to lose weight, shedding excess pounds without working out is still possible. That said, it may be a bit more difficult and may require more effort.
However, expert-backed strategies like drinking plenty of water, preparing meals at home, using smaller plates, and practicing mindful eating can help you accomplish your weight loss goals without overdoing it at the gym.
Making fresh, healthy, whole foods a priority over prepackaged or frozen foods is key to managing weight. Processed foods tend to be high in calories, salt, and sugar, while minimally processed or whole foods are lower in calories and offer plenty of nutrients.
Some nutrition experts recommend aiming for about one-third of your diet to be made up of dairy products and lean protein and two-thirds to be comprised of:
Incorporating more protein and fiber can help keep you full and limit food cravings, leading to potential weight loss. Protein helps build muscle and comes from food sources like:
Fiber helps promote healthy digestion while preventing blood sugar spikes and can be found in:
Aim to fill at least a quarter of your plate with lean protein and fiber at meals.
Research shows that people who prepare most meals at home consume fewer calories and sugar, likely because they have more control over cooking ingredients.
In addition to serving food that is higher in calories, restaurants and fast food establishments usually serve larger portions and offer additional courses.
Consider having healthy ingredients on hand to help you plan nutritious meals and limit calories, which can support weight loss goals.
Experts suggest making a grocery shopping list for ingredients while you are full, which may make unhealthy choices less tempting. While you’re at it, shop for and plan out some healthy snacks, too, because feeling hungry can trigger cravings for calorie-heavy snacks throughout the day.
Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water is a simple but effective weight loss strategy. Research suggests consuming enough water temporarily boosts your body’s metabolism by increasing energy expenditure, and you can maximize these effects if the water is cold.
Though additional research on water temperature benefits is necessary, drinking water before a meal can help prevent you from overeating.
Flavored coffee drinks, energy drinks, soft drinks, certain cocktails, sweetened iced tea, and juices can add a lot of liquid calories to your daily diet. By removing these from your routine and sticking with plain or sparkling water, you can inch closer to your weight loss goals.
Mindful eating matters when it comes to consuming enough food. To help avoid overeating, avoid watching TV or watching screens during mealtime.
Additionally, try chewing your food mindfully and thoroughly by putting your fork down between bites, having a thoughtful conversation while you eat, and pacing yourself to ensure your body can take the cue that you’re full.
Some weight loss tips recommend utilizing smaller plates to help you control portion sizes and limit excess calories. To try this out, you might eat meals or snacks on a small or medium-sized dish rather than a large dinner plate or out of a to-go container.
Your body naturally burns calories and expends energy while you sleep to maintain its proper functions. Evidence suggests that routinely getting the recommended seven to nine hours of good-quality sleep further supports your metabolism and helps regulate appetite hormones.
Chronic stress can lead to weight gain over time. Long-term exposure to stress triggers the production of the stress hormone cortisol, which contributes to excess weight. In addition, research suggests that emotional stress might prompt cravings for comfort foods, like sweets, adding to possible weight gain.
Practicing stress-relieving techniques like meditation while trying to lose and manage weight can help regulate stress levels and keep excess weight at bay.
Some initial evidence shows that probiotic supplements may help stimulate weight loss, particularly in people with overweight and obesity. Research demonstrates that taking probiotics can:
Other research found that body mass index (BMI) and hip and waist circumference can be significantly reduced in people with overweight or obesity who take probiotic supplements.
Supplements marketed for weight loss (containing ingredients like caffeine, green tea extract, or capsaicin) may support healthy body functions (such as metabolism). Still, they should not be viewed as a cure or magic pill.
Supplements are also not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the same way medications are, so ensuring ingredient accuracy and efficacy is difficult.
Connecting a number to your current weight can serve as information to help you monitor and adjust your weight management efforts, especially because your weight may fluctuate up or down depending on what you’re eating.
Emotional eating means consuming food for emotional reasons rather than to fuel your body.
If you consume more food than your body needs, try gently reminding yourself to eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full rather than eating to serve an emotional or habitual purpose. This helps promote healthy, sustainable eating habits that support weight loss and weight management in the long run.
A Word From Verywell
Though losing weight without exercise is certainly possible, it is much easier when you incorporate it. Exercise is important for heart health and can help boost metabolism, and therefore, it can help with weight loss.
Losing weight is not a one-size-fits-all experience. However, the amount of weight that a person can lose generally depends on the number of calories consumed and the number of calories burned (whether through exercise or regular daily activities), along with multiple other factors.
It’s generally accepted that 1 pound of fat may equal about 3,500 calories. To safely lose a pound or two per week, aim to create a 500- to 1,000-calorie deficit daily. Consider following diet and lifestyle strategies recommended by a healthcare provider.
If you’re having difficulty losing weight despite eating well and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, it may be time to see a healthcare provider.
They can help rule out any underlying conditions (like a thyroid issue or a hormone imbalance) and serve as a trusted support system for tips and recommendations on losing and managing weight.
Several strategies that don’t involve exercise might be helpful for losing weight. Experts recommend lifestyle tactics like drinking plenty of water, incorporating mindful eating, prioritizing fresh foods, using smaller plates, getting enough sleep, and more.
If your weight loss still seems to be plateauing despite these efforts, a healthcare provider can help rule out any underlying conditions and offer personalized guidance to assist with your weight loss journey.
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