May 31st, 2008

3 Easy Ways to Burn More Calories

 

Have you noticed? We Americans have been gaining weight. It’s really hard to miss. Part of the problem is that people take in too many calories because they eat convenience foods that are high in calories. The other part of the problem is that people don’t burn enough calories.  The smartest thing anyone can do to lose weight is to burn the calories that we consume by exercising.

 

There are a variety of reasons why people don’t burn enough calories and most of the reasons have to do with lack of time. So, here are three easy, yet effective ways to burn more calories.

 

Get Up 30 Minutes Earlier

 

Too often our days are packed with so much activity that we simply don’t have time to go to the gym or to workout at home. So, one great solution is to get out of bed in the morning 30 minutes earlier  4-5 times a week. Take a brisk 30-minute walk before you shower.

 

During this extra time you can go for a walk in your neighborhood. You could also jog or take a bike ride. As long as you do something active during that 30-minute period then you will be burning calories. In addition, you’ll also notice that you feel happier and more energetic throughout the entire day.

 

Use the Grocery Store for More than Buying Groceries

 

To burn extra calories there are many small habits you can change when you go to the grocery store.

 

You may have heard the tip about parking farther away from the door and walking across the parking lot. This is something that helps and you should do it. Rather than finding the closest parking spot, just park farther away and burn some calories while you walk.

 

Another tip is to only use a shopping cart when you have to – when you have a lot of groceries. If you are only getting a few things, use a basket that you have to carry. Also, if you have a choice to go through an automatic door or a door you have to push open, always choose the door that you have to push. It only expends a little bit of energy but every calorie you burn helps and over time it will add up.

 

One final tip is to always go to the store right after you’ve eaten. Never go grocery shopping while you’re hungry. You will buy foods that you shouldn’t be buying. So always shop on a full stomach and that way you’ll only buy the things you really need.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Say Goodbye to Elevators

 

This tip is particularly helpful if you work in an office building with stairs and elevators. Instead of taking the elevator, take the stairs. You can do this anywhere you go including apartment buildings and other office buildings.

 

Obviously if you are going to the 20^th floor then you don’t have to take 20 flights of stairs if you’re not fit enough to do that. What you can do is take the elevator up 16 or 17 floors and then take the stairs the rest of the way.

 

Once you get to your office, you can also take longer routes to your desk rather than the quickest route. It will only take a minute or two more, but over time you’ll be burning a significant number of calories.

 

The bottom line is that you can burn more calories whether you realize it or not. Take the tips offered above or you can figure out your own creative ways to burn calories. As long as you put your mind to it, you can burn more calories and you can lose weight. It’s not that hard.

 

 

Source: exercise

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