Salt Lake City is one of the fittest cities in the U.S. Being overweight or obese will definitely make you stand out, but what if you don’t have the knees or are in no condition to exercise? Thankfully, you can still shed those pounds without lifting weights or running miles.
1. Be Cool
Literally. Take long, cold baths. If you have mobility issues, you might need to get a walk-in tub. They’re a lot easier to get in and out of, and they allow you to stay upright. You can read a book or use your phone or tablet to distract you from the cold; just don’t charge your devices while soaking in water. The water doesn’t have to be freezing — just cold enough to make you shiver a bit. Shivering is your body’s reaction to the cold, and another result is thermogenesis. As your body temperature drops, your body enters a state of thermogenesis, burning fats to raise and maintain your body temperature. Water is the best medium to induce thermogenesis as it readily disperses body heat. Outside of the tub, you can turn down the thermostat by a few degrees and fully embrace the cold.
2. Hulk It Out
Just tense your muscles and hold for a few seconds. It’s not really exercise — you’re not lifting weights or moving around. Isometrics is a great way to lose a few calories without exerting much effort. You can even buy one of those devices that use controlled electricity to make your muscles contract. Tools that use neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) have been around for years. NMES devices are commonly used in the medical field for rehabilitating muscles or preventing muscle atrophy. Even astronauts have used similar tools to maintain muscle mass in space. Consciously tensing your muscles achieve the same result, but if you’re too lazy to do that, you might need to purchase an NMES device.
3. Change Your Diet
Nothing drastic like going vegetarian or cutting 500 calories a day — just increase your protein intake. Cut down on the carbs and double your protein intake. It might cost a little bit more, but it’s better than spending a bit more money now than paying for hospital bills later. Protein breaks down slower than carbohydrates so you won’t be feeling hungry for a more extended period. Your body spends a lot of calories breaking down protein so ramp up your protein intake and ditch the carbs. Sodas and sugary desserts have tons of calories. You don’t have to give them up completely, but drinking more than half a liter of soda is a bit excessive. Have some fruit and drink lots of water. Being a bit dehydrated sends hunger signals to your brain, so you might get the urge to get a snack, when all your body needed was water.
It’s not fun to be fat in Utah. However, you can take the first step into a fitter you with just a little bit of effort and a lot of conviction.
