Burning calories with simple changes in lifestyle
By Akhilesh Mittal
Today’s lifestyle has made people walk less and do minimum physical activity. Also, jobs have become professionally demanding, so many of us do not get time to visit gymnasium on regular basis. If any individual wants to burn more calories all day long, it is important to increase your NEAT ( Non-exercise Activity Thermogenesis). NEAT is a term for all of the movement you do which is not vigorous enough to be called a workout.
Below are some SIMPLE WAYS to increase your metabolism and live a healthier life. These do not include any recommendations on diet or tips to lose weight. We restrict the recommendations with simple changes in lifestyle predominantly focusing on physical activity to ensure healthy living.
Get up earlier in morning then your usual time– Set up alarm at least 45 minutes before normal time when you get up each day. Walk for at least half an hour after getting up in morning. It would be preferable if you can walk briskly.
Eat breakfast– Eating breakfast gives you energy for the work that you will start after morning. Also, it helps you to be satiated for a longer period of time. Your body needs food/energy after long break of last night’s dinner. It’s preferable to include protein source food during breakfast as it will keep you satiated for longer time.
Park your car far away from work place: Try to park car the farthest distance from your office. It shall ensure more steps. More steps you do, more calories you will burn.
Do not use elevator to reach your work place: Its always tempting to use elevator whenever it is available. Just walk up through stairs.
Walk for 5 minutes after each hour – Most of us have sedentary job. Make sure that you walk within the office for at least 5 minutes in each hour. It shall help to keep your metabolism high.
Don’t think you are tired after the day’s work at office: Most people think that they had enough for the day after coming from work and now it’s time to relax, sit, watch TV etc. Rather, be happy to be back at home. It’s an opportunity to give some time to you. Wear your track pant and get ready for some evening walk or maybe walk to a friend’s house.
Walk while watching TV: Most of us love watching TV. Make sure you are walking within the room while watching TV.
Have dinner at least 2 hours before going to bed and walk for at least 20 minutes after dinner.
Drink lot of water: Drinking water helps boost metabolism and acts as an appetite suppressant.
Use pedometer / gadget to measure your daily steps: It’s a good idea to buy one and measure how many steps you have taken each day. The American Heart Association recommends 10,000 steps each day as a guideline to follow for improving health and decreasing risk of heart disease.
Read health and fitness magazines: If you are fond of reading, subscribe to health and fitness magazines. Reading about health and fitness motivates an individual to be conscious about health and remain fit.
It is always better to consult a doctor, especially for obese people; people who have respiratory problem / cardiac problem/ arthritis/ injury; pregnant women; any person with disease/ disorder, for which physical activity may hamper health.
