We are constantly telling our readers that natural weight loss comes form healthy eating choices and physical activity. We have been urging readers to exercise because being more physically active helps your body burn more calories, so you can lose weight faster. Some new research from Tel Aviv University shows that inactivity by itself can increase your fat cells.

The research was discussed in an article on the website Medical News Today:

“Conventional wisdom says that exercise is a key to weight loss – a no-brainer. But now, Tel Aviv University researchers are revealing that life as a couch potato, stretched out in front of the TV, can actually be ‘active inactivity’ – and cause you to pack on the pounds. 

Such inactivity actually encourages the body to create new fat in fat cells, says Prof. Amit Gefen of TAU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering. Along with his Ph.D. student Naama Shoham, Prof. Gefen has shown that preadipocyte cells – the precursors to fat cells – turn into fat cells faster and produce even more fat when subject to prolonged periods of ‘mechanical stretching loads’ – the kind of weight we put on our body tissues when we sit or lie down. ”

Read the full article here: Relaxing Can Make You Fatter

If you spend any significant amount of time seated behind a desk, or worse, in front of a television, you may want to get up and move around frequently. It may make a significant difference in your natural weight loss efforts. Use any excuse to stand up and walk around. It’s easy if you are home watching television, just get up and move every commercial break. It may be harder to do at work, but look for ways to get out from behind your desk. Stand up when you are on the telephone, walk to a co-workers office instead of sending an email. Anything that gets you moving.

Get up and get moving, inactivity is an enemy of natural weight loss.