December 28, 2017

With the new year almost here, it’s the perfect time to focus on getting your metabolism revved up and running as it should. The good news is that just a few small tweaks to your daily routine can make a big difference. Start adding these 4 easy steps to burn more calories to your lifestyle today. Then, keep it going in 2018 for a healthy, fit YOU!

Burn More Calories, Step 1: Get Moving

Don’t rely only on just your workout to burn calories – you can increase your daily caloric burn in all sorts of small, time-efficient ways too! Start by making the most of the times you are already moving during the day: park further away in a parking lot, take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator, walk to a coworker’s desk instead of sending an email, take your dog (if you have one!) on a longer or more frequent walks. These are all simple ways to burn more calories while already doing your daily routine!

Burn More Calories, Step 2: Be More Active

Start adding to your calendar time marked for being active. Playing with your kids in the backyard, going for a weekend bike ride with your family, or power-walking with friends at the mall – all are a great way to be active and be social – important for your health inside and out!

Burn More Calories, Step 3: Practice Portion Control

It may not seem like a few extra bites here and there is that big of a deal, but they all add up. Ignoring portion size can totally sabotage a diet, no matter how healthy your meals are or how strong your efforts are. Calories simply add up – and fast!  To determine a sensible portion size, revisit your measuring cups or buy a small food scale for your kitchen: both can give you a visual idea of how much you should be eating, which you can apply on your own after the first few times you use them.  Also, avoid eating standing up in front of the fridge (we’re all guilty of that one!), and put your serving on a plate or in a bowl – don’t eat straight from the container, carton or package. And put that package away BEFORE you start to eat, so you aren’t tempted to add another serving to the mix!

Burn More Calories, Step 4: Make Mini Workouts Your Friend

You don’t have to quit your day job to squeeze in an effective workout!  An effective trick is to break down your typical workout into blocks of 10- or 15-minute mini workouts. Try getting up 15 minutes earlier and doing some lunges, pushups and stretching – a great way to start the day and get your blood flowing! At lunch, add a 10-minute walk to the end of your break. If feeling sluggish throughout the day, try 10 minutes of jumping jacks or running in place. And before bed, allow yourself time to do some yoga stretching. By the end of the day, those short breaks can add up to a whole lot of exercise!

If you want more tips like this – plus extra guidance to keep your healthy goals on track – join my LifeFit 360: Whole Body Plan! It offers a variety of challenges, including my popular LifeFit 360: 10-Week Whole Body Plan, where I guide you through daily workouts, you have access to a customized eating plan, and more. Start now!

Let’s get fitter, together – inside and out!

Denise

ALSO SEE: 7 Workout Starter Tips To Do Now!

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