Burning calories is essential when you attempt to lose weight. You may not always have the time or energy to work out in a traditional gym. One of the best ways to burn calories is to perform a combination of cardiovascular exercises and strength training, although there are some alternative options. To optimize weight loss, take advantage of your opportunities through the day to burn calories.
Stairs
Using the stairs when you normally wouldn't helps burn calories while allowing you to do necessary tasks. If you work on an upper floor in an office building, take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator. The stairs only take a couple of extra minutes and can boost your health. According to Fat Free Kitchen website, just 30 minutes of climbing stairs burns between 300 and 500 calories, while descending stairs burns approximately 210 calories per 30 minutes. If you don't have stairs where you work, consider using the stairs when you go to the mall or store things such as canned goods in your basement at home so you can use the stairs daily to retrieve them for meals.
Lifestyle Changes
To burn calories, you need to incorporate additional movement over the course of the day. Find ways to move around and walk throughout the day to increase your activity level. One easy way to burn calories when doing your normal shopping is to park in the back of the parking lot, as far away from the store as possible. Not only will you be walking around inside the store, but you also will get additional exercise by walking back and forth to your car. Another basic activity that burns calories is gardening, which can burn as much as 200 calories in 30 minutes, according to Fat Free Kitchen.
Plan Active Dates or Outings
Whether you are having a date night with your significant other or are just hanging out with friends, choose activities that burn calories while you have fun. If you typically see a movie or go out to eat, mix it up and suggest going to a dance club or bowling. In just 15 minutes of dancing, a 130-lb. woman will burn approximately 67 calories. Bowling burns approximately 88 calories in 30 minutes, according to "Family Circle" magazine.



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