3 Ways to Burn More Calories Every Day

Happy Tip Tuesday everyone! My goals during the holidays are very simple to keep me stress free with family, food, and travel. Doing small things during the holiday season makes all the difference. Try these tips to keep your metabolism humming at top speed during your workouts and throughout the day!

Move more. Burning calories isn’t only done during formal workouts; you can help increase daily caloric burn just by going about your normal tasks! Start by seizing every opportunity to move more throughout the day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, park your car at the end of the parking lot, take your dog for a longer walk, and get up and visit coworkers’ desks instead of sending emails. Plan more activities — such as playing soccer with your kids in the backyard or power-walking with friends at the mall — that don’t involve sitting still. If you think about it, there are plenty of reasons every day to get up and get moving!

Practice portion control. A few extra bites here and there may seem like no big deal, but think again! Not paying attention to portion size can completely sabotage a diet, no matter how strong your efforts — all those extra calories can add up fast! If you've not sure what a sensible portion size is, it's a good time to revisit your measuring cups or to purchase a small food scale for your kitchen. In addition, never eat directly from a container, package, or carton — you should always measure out one serving, put it on a plate or in a bowl, and put away the rest BEFORE you start eating!

Squeeze in mini workouts. Does a jam-packed schedule leave you no time for exercise? Don’t worry, you can get a workout in without quitting your day job. Instead of trying to find a large block of time to exercise, break down your daily workouts into 10-minute mini sessions so they're easier to squeeze into your day. Whenever you have a few spare minutes, take a brisk walk around the block, do a set of pushups or perform a quick series of yoga stretches. By the end of the day, those short 10-minute breaks can add up to a whole hour of exercise!

Happy HAPPY Holidays to you ALL!

Love always from Your Personal Trainer,

Denise