Some people just don’t like to exercise. Maybe you’re one of them? This prompts the same question over and over again: “Is it really necessary that I exercise, or can I lose weight without having to buy a gym membership and work up a sweat?” Here’s your answer…

The Role of Exercise in Weight Loss

Let’s first look at the facts.  When it comes to losing weight, getting regular physical exercise offers a number of advantages, even if “regular” is 30 minutes 3 days a week. These weight loss advantages include, but are not limited to:

• Increased metabolism. When your body is physically exerted, it uses more calories. Therefore, it takes the excess from your fat stores and burns it at a higher rate, not only during the exercise but after it as well.
  
  If you build or tone your muscles by incorporation weights, your metabolism is increased dramatically because it takes your body more energy to maintain muscle than it does fat. So you’ll burn more calories every day and night when you exchange fat for muscle.
  
   
• You feel better. Exercise increases your body’s release of endorphins. These are feel-good hormones that give you a lighter mood naturally. It also reduces stress that your body is hanging on to so you have a greater ability to focus and a higher level of patience when it comes to reaching your weight loss goals.
  
  The stress hormones, called cortisol and norepinephrine, cause your body to hold onto fat because you’re built to prepare for impending disaster, so to speak, by planning for future energy needs! Exercise, and the resulting endorphins, helps to minimize stress so your body can release fat faster.
  
   
• You have more tone. If you lose weight without exercising, you’ll be thinner, but you won’t necessarily look more in shape. Working your muscles through regular physical conditioning will help give you a physique that is tight and toned; one that is complete with definition.

Exercise is Great, but is It Necessary for Weight Loss?

Okay, so you realize the many benefits of exercise, but that still doesn’t answer the question of whether or not you have to work out to lose weight. The answer is no.

If you follow diet programs such as the HCG Diet, for instance, you will lose weight quickly and effectively because you will be following a structured eating plan that gives you all of the nutrients your body needs to burn fat at the highest rate possible. You’ll also be eating lots of healthy proteins, carbs, fruits and veggies that will help you reach your weight loss goals – exercise free.

However, if it is a long-term healthy lifestyle that you want, you really should consider adding exercise into your schedule, especially after you lose some weight and gain some energy. Exercise may not be required for weight loss, but it will get you to your goal more quickly and it’s really good for your health. Working your heart and muscles on a regular basis helps lower your risk of other serious health conditions such as stroke, diabetes, high cholesterol and more.

Even if you don’t want to do an all-out fitness routine, at least increase your regular activity levels. Choose the stairs instead of the elevator and spend less time in front of the television and more time gardening, walking, or playing outside with your children. These are low impact yet they will help you lose weight quicker and are very beneficial over time.

Remember that the easy way isn’t always the best way. Sometimes you have to work to achieve your goals, but that just makes your success that much sweeter once you reach them.