9 Easy Ways to Lose Weight Without Diets

Calorie counting is not for everyone—if you want to lose fat but can’t or won’t count calories, there are plenty of other options. “Before you set out on your effort, make sure you know exactly what you’re trying to achieve,” says Harvard Health.

“Ask yourself, ‘How much weight do I need to lose to be healthy?’ Then set personalized goals, in achievable increments and introduce lifestyle changes to gradually lose weight and keep it off. Be prepared to adapt your lifestyle as necessary to maximize your chances of success.” Here are 10 ways to lose fat without counting a single calorie.

Walk 10K Steps Every Day

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A quick look at social media shows inspiring success stories of people who lost fat and got fit simply by walking every day. “Start with a simple goal, such as, ‘I'll take a 5- or 10-minute walk during my lunch break.’ When your 5- or 10-minute walk becomes a habit, set a new goal, such as, ‘I'll walk for 20 minutes after work.’ Find specific times for walks. Soon you could be reaching for goals that once seemed impossible,” says the Mayo Clinic.

RELATED:12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster

Eat Lots of Protein

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Experts say 10-35 percent of your meals should be protein. “Increasing the amount of protein you eat can help reduce the buildup of harmful fats in your body, especially around your belly (abdomen),” says the Cleveland Clinic. “Protein is used to build muscle, so it can also help prevent muscle loss as you shed pounds.”

RELATED:10 Protein Tips to Help You Lose Weight, According to Nutritionist Danni Patton

No Screens Before Bed

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Screens are disruptive to good sleep, which is crucial for fat loss and overall health. “Checking your phone stimulates your brain,” sleep medicine expert Michelle Drerup, PsyD, DBSM, tells the Cleveland Clinic. “You’re more active and awake. Even just a quick check can engage your brain and delay sleep.”

RELATED:15 Bedtime Rituals That Enhance Fat Burning and Aid Weight Loss

Get a Personal Trainer

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Using the expertise of a personal trainer could make the whole weight loss process much easier. “Personal trainers are results-driven and will work with you to achieve your fitness goals,” according to the Southern California Health Institute (SOCHI). “They will help you set realistic goals and create a plan to achieve them, ensuring that you are progressing and getting the desired results.”

Eat Satiating Food

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You don’t need to count calories to know certain foods offer plenty of volume and nutrients without encouraging weight gain. Leafy greens, salad vegetables, and fruits such as berries are a great choice. The more you fill up on healthy food, the less you will be tempted to eat unhealthy options.

RELATED:15 Superfoods to Rev Up Your Weight Loss

Eat More Fat

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Healthy fats such as olive oil, salmon, and avocado may accelerate your fat loss. “The theory is that by eating so many healthy fats and restricting carbohydrates, you enter an altered metabolic state in which you force your body to begin relying on fat for energy, burning away your fat stores instead of sugar for fuel,” says Harvard Health.

Use a Nutritionist

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A dietician can really help streamline the weight loss process. “There’s so much misinformation and so many mixed messages out there,” registered dietitian Tegan Bissell, RD, LDN, CDCES, tells the Cleveland Clinic. “As experts in food and nutrition, dietitians can help you sift through it all and point you to the science.”

Start Weight Training

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“Do strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least two times a week,” says the Mayo Clinic. “Aim to do a single set of each exercise, using a weight or resistance level heavy enough to tire your muscles after about 12 to 15 repetitions.”

RELATED:10 Proven Ways to Conquer Your Exercise Struggles

Find An Active Hobby

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It’s so much easier to stick to exercise if it’s fun. Try tennis, pickleball, swimming, volleyball… whatever keeps you motivated. Being active with friends and family is also a great way to stay accountable and enjoy social time while working out.

Avoid Added Sugars

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Added sugar will quickly derail your healthy eating plan. “I don’t think we have enough evidence yet to suggest that sugar is the reason for the obesity epidemic,” cardiologist Chiadi E Ndumele, MD, MHS, tells Johns Hopkins. “But there is enough evidence to say that elevated sugar consumption is an important contributor to weight gain.”

💪🔥Body Booster: It’s so much easier to stick to exercise if it’s fun. Try whatever keeps you motivated.

Tired of obsessing over every calorie and still not seeing results? You're not alone. While counting calories works for some, it's not the only path to successful weight loss. Dr. Christie Risinger, a Board-Certified Internal Medicine Physician with over 15,000 hours of clinical experience, reveals simpler, evidence-based strategies that have helped thousands of her patients lose weight successfully. Here's what actually works, according to her research and clinical experience.

Start Small to Win Big

"Even a loss of 5% of your body weight has proven health benefits," Dr. Risinger says in her post. For someone weighing 250 pounds, that's just 12.5 pounds – an achievable goal that can make a real difference. She notes that this modest weight loss can even reverse type 2 diabetes and prevent pre-diabetes from progressing. "I don't say this to discourage anyone, but simply to give yourself some grace and help you to set realistic goals," she emphasizes.

Write It Down to Lose More

Instead of obsessing over exact calories, simply track what you eat. "A study in 2011 reviewed 22 studies and found a consistent relationship between self-monitoring and successful weight loss," Dr. Risinger explains. Start by writing down everything you eat and eliminate obvious sources of excess calories. "If you're drinking three beers a night, you're consuming 450 extra and unnecessary calories a day... that's about 50 pounds in a year," she warns.

Focus on Food Quality First

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"When you do eat, the foods you're eating should be whole natural foods, meaning not processed and they're high in fiber, low in sugar," Dr. Risinger emphasizes. This simple approach often naturally reduces calories without the need for constant counting. She adds that "there are better health benefits if the protein source is from plants than when it's from animals."

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Try the Mediterranean Way

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Among all diets, one stands out: "As a physician, the one plan I would recommend for anyone, whether they're trying to lose weight or not, is the Mediterranean diet." Dr. Risinger explains its simplicity: "This diet is high in fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. It allows moderate amounts of fish, poultry, and dairy, but has little red meat." The benefits go beyond weight loss: "The Mediterranean diet was associated with a decreased incidence of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple cancers."

Make Eating Mindful

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Dr. Risinger emphasizes a crucial habit change: "I want to encourage everyone to make eating an activity that connects you with other people. Turn off the TV, gather around a table, eat with someone else, carve time out in your day and make it an intentional activity." This mindful approach naturally helps control portions without counting calories.

Use Apps Smartly

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Technology can make weight loss easier without calorie obsession. "One meta-analysis of 41 studies with over 6,000 participants showed that the use of mobile apps helped reduce caloric intake, increase fruit and veggie consumption, and helped people lose about five pounds," Dr. Risinger reports. She recommends choosing "any app that has interactive features with personalized messages and goal setting."

Build Sustainable Movement Habits

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Exercise shouldn't feel like punishment. "Physical activity should be done five to seven days a week for approximately 30 minutes or more," Dr. Risinger advises, but adds an encouraging note: "These minutes can be spread throughout the day." The goal is to find movement you enjoy and can stick with in the long term.

Create a Support System

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Success rarely comes alone. "People have more success with weight loss when they regularly attend a weight loss program or accountability group," Dr. Risinger notes. She also recommends regular weigh-ins: "If you know early that you're gaining weight, you can make small adjustments." Importantly, research shows this habit doesn't increase anxiety or depression.

RELATED:10 Steps This Fat Loss Coach Used to Drop 20 Pounds Without Gaining It Back

Your Simple Success Plan

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Dr. Risinger's evidence-based takeaways:

1. Set a realistic first goal of 5% weight loss
2. Track what you eat without obsessing over calories
3. Choose whole, unprocessed foods
4. Follow Mediterranean-style eating patterns
5. Make eating a mindful, social activity
6. Use technology for support, not stress
7. Move regularly in ways you enjoy
8. Build a support system for accountability.

And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Trying to lose weight can feel overwhelming with countless diets and conflicting advice. As a 77-year-old businesswoman and former model, Candace Cima has spent years researching and testing what truly works for sustainable weight loss. Through her platform, Living My Life in My 70s, and social media presence @Lifeinmy70s, she's helped thousands achieve their health goals using evidence-based methods. Here are her ten proven strategies, backed by scientific research, that can help you achieve lasting weight loss success.

Set Small Goals for Big Health Wins

"I want to encourage each of you that even a loss of 5% of your body weight has proven health benefits," Candace explains. "If you're 250 pounds, losing 12 and a half pounds can make a difference." She says that this modest weight loss can help prevent or even reverse conditions like type 2 diabetes, making it a realistic and worthwhile goal for beginners.

Keep Track of Everything You Eat

"By simply becoming more aware of what you're eating, you will change some bad habits," Candace notes. She points to research that consistently shows self-monitoring leads to successful weight loss. "A study in 2011 reviewed 22 studies and found a consistent relationship between self-monitoring and successful weight loss," she adds, recommending apps like MyFitnessPal for easy tracking.

Learn Your Daily Calorie Needs

Understanding your personal energy requirements is crucial for success. "Weight loss comes down to calories in versus calories used," Candace states. "An average deficit of 500 calories a day will result in an initial weight loss of about one pound a week." She advises that as your weight decreases, you'll need to adjust these numbers accordingly.

Cut Out Hidden Calories First

"Eliminate easy sources of excess calories like sugared beverages, switch to simply drinking water," Candace advises. She illustrates this with a practical example: "A beer has about 150 calories, so if you're drinking three beers a night, you're consuming 450 extra and unnecessary calories a day. If you keep this up every day, you'll gain about a pound a week or four pounds a month."

Choose a Diet You Can Stick To

"The fundamental point is to adopt a diet that creates a negative energy balance on adequate food quality," Candace emphasizes. While she acknowledges that different approaches work for different people, she particularly recommends the Mediterranean diet. "This diet is high in fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. It allows moderate amounts of fish, poultry, and dairy, but has little red meat," she explains.

Consider Structured Support Programs

For those feeling overwhelmed, Candace recommends commercial weight loss programs. "I like these programs because they're convenient, provide the food and provide a lot of support with them," she says. Research shows Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig participants maintain significant weight loss after 12 months, though she cautions against very low-calorie or liquid diets.

RELATED: I Dropped 50 Pounds and Lost My “Pooch” by Doing This One, Simple Exercise

Use Smart Technology

Modern weight loss apps can be powerful tools when used correctly. "Choose any app that has interactive features with personalized messages and goal setting," Candace recommends. "The more specific and tailored it is to you, the better it will be." Studies show these apps help users reduce caloric intake and increase healthy food consumption.

Make Eating a Mindful Activity

"I want to encourage everyone to make eating an activity that connects you with other people," Candace shares. "Turn off the TV, gather around a table, eat with someone else, carve time out in your day and make it an intentional activity." This approach helps develop a healthier relationship with food while strengthening social connections.

Focus on Diet Before Exercise

While exercise matters, Candace emphasizes proper order: "I would ask you to shift your focus to your diet when weight loss is the desired goal. You need to lower your calories." She recommends gradually increasing physical activity over time to maintain weight loss rather than relying on it for initial results.

RELATED: 5 Things I Eat to Amp Up My Protein Intake Without Extra Calories

Build Habits That Keep Weight Off

"The biggest predictor of keeping the weight off? Well, exercise," Candace reveals. She recommends 30 minutes of physical activity five to seven days a week, spread throughout the day if needed. Daily weigh-ins also help: "If you know early that you're gaining weight, you can make small adjustments." Regular participation in accountability groups provides additional support for maintaining success.

💪🔥Body Booster

Key Takeaways:

• Begin with a realistic 5% weight loss goal
• Track everything you consume
• Know your personal calorie needs
• Eliminate liquid calories first
• Choose a sustainable eating plan
• Consider structured support
• Use technology wisely
• Practice mindful eating
• Prioritize diet changes
• Build maintenance habits.

And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.