Four Ways to Burn More Calories at Home, in the Gym, and at the Table.
First of all, I’m not obsessed with calories. The most important thing is to get the nutrients that your body needs every day of your life. However, since calories are an easy way to examine a workout and a meal, I’ve learned to pay attention to them. Keep in mind, calories are just one element of nutrition. Someone handled me a snack-cake yesterday that was “only 80 calories and just one point on Weight Watchers.” I picked up the box to find the first ingredient was SUGAR. No one gets skinny or healthy eating sugar. Ingredients are listed in order – use your brain and read them. That being said. . .
1. UP UP UP – Do some hill work. Whether you prefer to walk or run, when you hop on that treadmill do some of your cardio uphill. I prefer to run for 5 minutes then walk uphill for 5 minutes (alternating speeds and incline gives you an extra challenge and is extra good for your heart)! I’ve noticed up to a 50% increase on the calories I burn.
2. PICK UP THOSE WEIGHTS. The more muscle you have the more calories you burn ALL THE TIME. Yes, that means if you lift weights 2-3 times a week, you will be burning more calories the whole rest of your week even when you pick up your fork or beer glass. I only do 15-20 minutes of weights a couple times a week. I keep it simple: biceps, triceps, shoulders, back, abs, and obliques. I do 8-10 reps, 2-3 times each. I finish and think, “That took no time!” My arms and ass have definitely noticed the difference. Can’t get to the gym? Keep weights at home!
3. EAT foods with negative calories! I like to eat! How about you? According to lifehacker.com, these 15 foods burn more calories during digestion then they contain. That’s sort of awesome. Here is the list: celery, oranges, strawberries, tangerines, grapefruit, carrots, apricots, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon, cauliflower, apples, hot chili peppers, and zucchini. Lots of nutrients and negative calories. Is there something better than this?
4. Do what you love. In the end, if you enjoy a work-out, you’ll do it more which will contribute to your healthy life-style! I personally love to bike, do yoga, and go to the gym, but if for any reason I don’t feel like doing one of those things, I alternate it for something else. Example: ballet class, roller-balding, swimming, running outside, etc. REFUSE TO HATE A PART OF YOUR LIFE. Rule of thumb: do something that makes you sore or makes you sweat everyday. (Yes, that last phrase was adapted from Matthew McConaughey – but he’s so worth repeating.)
