Whether you’re unable to exercise because of your weight or you’re gaining weight because you’re physically unable to exercise, don’t think you’re unable to lose weight.
You can lose weight without exercise.
Here’s why:
The majority of the calories your body burns everyday are to keep you alive. Most of your calories get used circulating your blood, regulating your body temperature and breathing. In other words, you can create a calorie deficit, necessary for weight loss, without having to increase the calories your body uses by adding exercise to your weight loss formula. You can reduce your calories but still consume enough to ensure that you will get good nutrition and not have to starve to lose weight. Of course, smart food choices will give you both better nutrition and more food for your calories!
According to the Mayo Clinic, a 40 year old man with an inactive lifestyle, with a height of 6 feet, and a weight of 200 pounds needs 2350 calories per day to maintain body weight and stay alive.
A 40 year old woman with an inactive lifestyle, with a height of 5 ft. 5 inches, and a weight of 150 pounds needs 1700 calories per day to maintain body weight and stay alive.
These are baseline numbers. If you are younger or older, weigh more or less, are taller or shorter, are active to a greater degree than represented in the formula, your calorie per day requirements will be different.
You probably have heard the benefits of exercise in regards to weight loss progress, but the key word is “benefits.”
That means exercise enhances weight loss but isn’t necessary to enable you to lose weight.
Without exercising you will have to be a careful to adhere to your food plan a little closer and your progress may be slower. Another key word is “may.” Adherence to your food plan makes the bigger difference in how well you progress towards your goal.
A program, such as the Weight Watchers program can help you determine how much to eat to allow you to lose weight and get the necessary nourishment and calories from your food. Your daily calories should be calculated based on your current weight, your age, and your gender. If you were able to participate in physical activity you would be able to add extra calories which might provide a little more satisfaction with your weight loss plan.
Never say, “Never!”
Even if you’re very large or wheelchair bound, you may be able to increase your physical activity and enjoy the benefits.
Exercise, or physical activity isn’t only for people with full mobility.