If you can squeeze in an intense morning workout to boost your metabolism for the rest of the day, that’s great! Unfortunately, most of us just don’t have that kind of time (or energy).
The problem is that your body will have a hard time burning extra calories if you’re just sitting at a desk for the next 8 hours.
So, how are you supposed to kick-start your metabolism, burn more calories, and start losing weight if you don’t have the time for a morning workout?
You don’t need to set your alarm an hour early to make sure your body works hard to burn more calories all day long.
Here are 5 incredible tips to jumpstart your metabolism and start burning more calories—without hitting the gym every morning:
- Get up and move: The main reason morning gymgoers burn more calories throughout the day is the energy boost they get from a good morning sweat. But you don’t need to hit the gym for an hour to kick-start your metabolism. Instead, set your alarm for about 15 minutes early. Once you get out of bed, get in the habit of doing some basic exercises—like jumping jacks, squats, crunches, and lunges. This will get your heart rate up to help you burn more calories throughout the day, without getting in the middle of your schedule.
- Try the “1 times 10” trick: All you really have to do is find 10 opportunities throughout the day to get your heart rate going for just one minute at a time. So, if you work in an office, try doing squats for one minute on your way to the bathroom or a set of jumping jacks on your lunch break. By raising your heart rate 10 times a day, you can keep your metabolism moving even when you’re sitting back down at your desk.
- Turn on the AC: According to a study in the journal Diabetes, your body burns brown fat faster when it’s trying to keep you feeling warm. So, if you keep your home on the cooler side, your body will automatically burn more calories to keep you warm, even if you’re just sitting on the couch.
- Sit on the floor: When relaxing at home, make it a point to sit on the floor as often as possible. Your body has to work a lot harder to help you stand up from the floor than it does when you’re parked on a cushy couch. It may not seem like a big deal at first, but your body is essentially incinerating calories each time you have to get up to use the bathroom.
- Chew more gum: Next time that 3 p.m. snack attack hits, pop a piece of minty gum in your mouth and see if you’re still hungry in 20 minutes. Not only does chewing gum keep your mouth moving to burn more calories, but the minty taste can also help curb your cravings for unhealthy snacks.
Do you have any tips to add to the list? Let us know in the comments!
Photo Copyright © 2010 Limarie Cabrera/Flickr
