1. Walk, don't ride. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator burns 1 calorie every 5 steps. On average a flight of stairs is 15 steps, those who choose to take the stairs instead of the elevator (up and down 3 flights a day) can lose 8 pounds in a year! Enough said.
2. Carry the goods. By carrying a hand basket at the grocery store instead of pushing a cart you can burn more calories, exercise those arms and possibly limit your purchases to healthy foods (they generally weight less than all those canned, processed foods).
3. Double you rewards. Consider planting a garden if you don't already have one. All of the standing, stooping, kneeling and weeding can burn more than 300 calories an hour, plus you get a ton of fresh veggies!
4. Hit the pavement over lunch. Taking an extended walk over your lunch hour will not only burn calories, but it will help suppress your appetite, therefore reducing your overall level of caloric intake.
5. Travel smart. There are a number of things you can do while traveling that will go the extra mile for weight loss and maintenance. For example, when flying always walk to your departure gate, don't use a cart; when waiting for your plane, walk around the terminal instead of sitting down; and when staying at a hotel, take advantage of the workout facilities.
6. Take a stand. Standing burns more calories than sitting does. Try for at least a few minutes every hour to stand if you would otherwise be sitting. Try blogging from a high top counter/table instead of sitting at your desk or kitchen table.
7. Get some face time. Deliver messages by hand when at work rather than emailing or calling. Getting up to hand-deliver messages will burn calories and enhance blood flow throughout your body.
8. Play with you pet. Those who play with their pets will burn off a few extra calories and provide some exercise for their pet.
9. Park accordingly. Unless weather, safety factors or time constraints dictate otherwise, try to park far enough away to force yourself to walk a noteworthy distance to your destination.
10. You Granny had it right. In some cases avoiding labor-saving devices such as dishwashers and blenders can help you burn those extra calories. Grandma was right when she refused to use an electronic mixer, doing it by hand will get the extra burn.
Tips provided by James A. Peterson, Ph. D.
Today is a very busy day for me, fortunately I was able to schedule in my workouts, but that doesn't mean I won't be sneaking in some of these tips. Do you use any of these tips?
************************
In other news, I finally found myself a paid part-time job! My internship that I am working right now, does not pay, so I have been frantically searching for a part-time job and things finally fell into place! My new place of employment is the YMCA! I will be doing a wide variety of things including:
Working the desk in the fitness center
Training new staff
Scheduling staff
Training members to use Active Trax
Creating any fitness/wellness incentive programs [now taking ideas :) ]
Personal training
Personal basketball skills training
Boot camp (possibly)
I am super excited to get going on this job, because it offers such a wide variety of responsibilities and it will be a good challenge. The only thing I am nervous about is the lack of direction in this position. Since this position I am in is a new one, it is going to be a lot of trial and error. I, personally, do a lot better with structure, but this will be good for me! It will help me grow as a professional!
Fitness
My workout today will consist of lifting and playing in two basketball games. I'm bummed our league is coming to an end, I think we only have two weeks left after this week :( I will post what my lifting workout was later, I don't remember what it is off the top of my head, but it is at work.
What are you doing in your workout today?
These are great tips, simple things like this really add up, you just have to use them as often as you can :)
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats on the job! Not only does it pay (yay money) but it sounds like you are going to be doing lots of different stuff! Nice :)
I did a track workout earlier this morning before it got too freakin hot out!
@Tessa @ Amazing Asset Thanks Tessa! I'm really excited to dive in at the Y! Good call on getting out before the heat gets too bad! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDelete