Sorry, there’s just no getting around it. If you want to enjoy successful long-term weight loss you’re going to have to exercise. In order to lose 1 lb a week, you have to cut your calorie intake by 500 calories a day in that week’s time. Now, you could just eat 500 calories less, but that sets you up for becoming hungry and feeling deprived. Instead, if you burn 500 calories in exercise, not only will you not feel deprived, but you’ll also feel good about yourself because you’ll know you’re doing something healthy for your entire body.
The trick to sticking with an exercise plan is to try and find an activity that you enjoy. Exercise doesn’t have to mean being cooped up inside a smelly gym for hours at a time. Exercise can be taking a bike ride on a beautiful sunny day, or going salsa dancing with your friends. Exercise doesn’t have to be boring. Again, some pre-planning can make all the difference. Try making up a list of different physical activities that you really enjoy doing. Then make a commitment to yourself to engage in at least two of those activities a week. Eventually, increase this to three or four times a week and you’ll be dropping the weight in no time.