Lose Weight Through Hobbies, Not Exercise

I’ve noticed people starting gym memberships with enthusiasm that eventually fades. This happens because they don’t see quick results, and exercising is hard.

I also feel that exercising produces no tangible work. You put in effort, but it doesn’t create anything useful for society beyond a fit citizen.

If Not Exercise, Then What?

Imagine planting 10 saplings in your garden. You dig holes, plant the saplings, fill the holes, and water them daily. This “exercise” will provide economic benefits to you and your family for years to come.

I realized this after trying many approaches to lose my man-boobs. The only thing that worked and that I consistently maintained was bicycling.

After a month of riding around the neighborhood with my kids and taking longer trips (5km or more), I noticed my legs becoming leaner and stronger.

This happens with traditional exercise too, but progress is slow unless you commit hours. Riding a bicycle for hours didn’t feel like a chore because I was accomplishing things—getting milk, buying groceries, completing errands, or simply exploring—all while cycling.

I realized that just as I enjoy bicycling, others might enjoy gardening, hiking, martial arts, photography, swimming, or other physically demanding hobbies.

If you can engage in these activities for 2 hours daily, you’ll get in shape relatively quickly (depending on your current condition).

I won’t mislead you—it will take at least 6 months to a year to see significant results. However, I believe this is the best way to lose weight and maintain your fitness for years, as long as you continue your hobby.

Follow Your Hobby

Choose any hobby you enjoy, but ensure it involves physical activity.

Even photography requires walking to locations, waiting for the right moment, and holding your breath while taking photographs.

Whatever your hobby, incorporate physical movement. If your hobby is meditation, don’t just sit at home. Combine it with hiking—trek through nature and meditate there. This makes your hobby physically intensive. Be creative in finding ways to stay active.

If you don’t have a hobby, start by picking up trash around your neighborhood or a local lake. This simple act benefits the community and might inspire others.

What About Food?

All your weight loss efforts will be undermined if you don’t improve your eating habits.

Nithya Hitha, Mitha Aahaara Sevi

This quote from Ayurveda translates to “Always eat healthy food, in moderation.”

We tend to overindulge in foods we enjoy. I sometimes overeat cakes, biryani, etc. I still do it occasionally, but I’m aware that it’s harmful.

A cake tastes the same whether you have a small bite or devour the entire kilogram. We must control our urge to overeat.

I’ve been trying to fully experience what I eat. When I have a cookie, I take a small bite and chew thoroughly until it liquefies. I savor it completely, trying to identify all the ingredients.

This process significantly reduces my appetite after just one cookie, preventing me from eating more.

Our modern problem is that we’re always rushing. We have so much work that we barely make time to eat properly.

Unless we address this habit, weight loss will remain challenging.

Drink your food.

Read Food you eat is poisonous

Always ensure your food is in liquid form before swallowing. This simple practice helps you eat significantly less.

• Intermittent fasting is difficult
• Complete fasting is difficult
• Sticking to keto or paleo diets is difficult

But changing how we eat is relatively easy.

You probably are not living alone. You may have kids, spouse, & parents. In such cases, it is difficult to cook something different for yourself.

Eating this way may get you scoldings from your spouse or parents but eventually they’ll get used to it.

Slowing down via Meditation

I don’t know how it helps but meditatio slows you down at everything you do but now you will be doing it mindfully with more observation and care.

A 10 minute meditation everyday at any time will help you achieve this slowness that you require for eating mindfully.

In conclusion, exercising isn’t bad, but there are more enjoyable and beneficial ways to achieve the same results you’re seeking. Good luck!