How to lose weight if you have no time to exercise?

[Anonymous]

I am not overweight, but throughout the holidays, and the approaching Easter, I have been eating sugar nonstop without really identifying it as a problem until recently.

Though I don't put on pounds incredibly fast, I can tell that my rear end, lower stomach/hip area, thighs, and face/cheeks have softened a tiny bit. Others swear they don't see it, but I do.

Depending on the time of year, I go between 105 to 117lbs... not bad or worrisome at all... I just think I carry it weird on my short height.

There is nothing else that I would love to do than exercise. My schedule will not allow that right now, sadly (other than in-home squats, lunges, push ups, pullups/chinups, etc.).

By switching my diet to about 1,200 calories (or below) each day, how long before I will be able to see a difference? Do you have any tips on what I should eat and do? Would a different calorie goal be better?

Thanks!

[Confucius16]

If you just started getting addicted to sugar, be worried. Gaining weight is slow at first, and then it starts to increase.

Have you ever heard of "no pain, no gain"? Let me explain. If you work out, if you feel pain, then you are working out wrong. A tired sensation is more okay, but stop if you feel tired. You can't lose weight if you don't exercise. As for what diet you should have, you have to see your doctor for that. No user on Girlsaskguys is going to know whether or not you are lactose intolerant or alergic to peanuts, etc. Finally, limiting your calories won't work because it might limit your nutrition.

Let me tell you something about eating less. For example, if you skip breakfast, your metabolism goes into "hunger" mode, as if you were starving. Your metabolism slows and you burn calories at a slower rate. Your body does this because this is what it has to do if you were starving. This saves your life. So don't skip breakfast. Eat a breakfast of fiber. Fiber helps you stay full for a longer time because it takes longer to digest. Then for your other meals, you will eat less.

[just_tired]

1200 calories is WAY too small amount and even if it helps you to lose a few pounds, when you start eating normally the pounds are going to come back with a vengeance. If you want lose a few pounds and stay that way, eat about 200 calories less than your daily requirement (probably around 1800 calories, there's online calculators). Also drink a lot of water and sleep well.

On a side note 117lbs is a good weight and the other people who aren't seeing the change are probably right. Don't go on a diet just because of a society pressure.

[Asker]

I've tried many calculators, and I usually get given results of 1,200, and occasionally up to 1,500. It does sound like a very small amount, but when I eat normally (minus all the recent sugar), I believe I stay around that range anyway and don't feel hungry. If I was exercising, though, I would definitely boost it.

Thanks. I agree that my weight is fine as it is, but I want to remain healthy, in-shape,and not continue to gain. It has more to do with how I feel, than what I see society pushing.

[just_tired]

Well I guess I can't argue there. I really hope it works.

[Anonymous]

You *do* have time. You have to make it a priority. It might mean you have to wake up earlier or go to bed later. If you care enough you will find time and stop making excuses.

[Asker]

I see where you're coming from, I just can't make it work right now. I already get up very early and go to bed very late. There are days when I can fit a nice run or bike ride in, but they're infrequent. As summer nears I hope to have more time.

[just_tired]

Don't force workouts into your schedule. You seem to have important thing going on in your life right now. Focus on them and start the exercises when you actually have time.

Oh and taking away from sleep time to workout is the worst idea ever.

[Opinion Owner]

If you need to lose weight, its by a bad idea to shift other priorities to make room for health

[Cottoncandydreams]

relax.

don't let the pressures of the world and society get to you

[Asker]

I know, I'm not doing it for anyone else but me. My weight is fine, I just want to be healthy and in decent shape, and not continue gaining.

[MikeGaultier]

You REALLY don't need to lose weight. If it's going to bother you though, you can do the following:

1. Cut out "Bad" sugar from your diet: No soda or other sugary drinks/deserts/foods. Fruits have sugar, but they're fine.

2. Skip the elevator, take the stairs

3. Walk when you can, gas is expensive anyways

4. Run on the weekends (again, you really don't need to lose any weight...)

[ntrdr]

eat less if you can't exercise more. pretty simple, take in less calories than you burn.

[Anonymous]

only eat raw fruits and vegetables.

[Asker]

I will try to fit as much raw fruits and vegetables into my diet, but for long-term loss I need to include other healthy choices, too.

Thanks for the tip!

[just_tired]

I'm not sure what she meant, but you need to eat all nutrients daily (protein, carbs, vitamins etc), but seems like you get the idea.