by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
If only exercise weren’t so much effort we’d all be healthier. But you can get more fit with barely any effort and hardly any time. A little goes a long way when it comes to being fit. Start adding little things to your routine and you’ll find it can subtract from your waistline. Each person burns calories differently because they handle activities differently and they carry more or less weight. The calorie comparisons can simply help you compare activities, measuring their intensity against one another.
For some reason, people who chew gum consistently tend to eat less, and they burn about 11 calories an hour just by chewing.
Tapping your fingers, your feet and constantly shifting your position does burn more calories. It’s a small change that can add up to weight loss by the end of a year. Just don’t do it at an office meeting!
It might seem counterintuitive, but those who actually get more than six hours of sleep tend to be healthier and slimmer. Too much can be a bad thing as well, so aim for seven to nine hours.
There’s something you can stop doing which will help you get healthy. Cut down on time in front of the screen, TV or computer. Those who spend more time watching TV actually eat more junk food than those who don’t.
Sunshine is actually good for you. It helps energize your body. A recent study has revealed that the vitamin D your body produces when exposed to sunlight is more beneficial in the fight against cancer than the threat of skin cancer is to your body. So bask!
Good posture strengthens muscles and burns calories. So if you’re sitting, try to remember not to slouch.
If you’re waiting around in the drugstore, the dentist or the airport, stand instead of sitting. It will burn 36 more calories per hour. When you’re on the phone, stand instead of sitting. If you’re on a cell phone or your phone cord allows it, you might throw in a little pacing while you’re at it.
The journey of a 1,000 steps begins with one. Walking can help you get more fit and you’d be surprised how easy it is to fit into your routine. Get a pedometer and find out how much you actually are walking in a day, then slowly up the ante. Park your car far from the mall entrance!
Unless you work in a 30 story building. Even if you do, it couldn’t hurt to take the stairs for two to five stories. Come out on the fifth floor and find the elevator. Each flight of stairs burns about 10 calories. Not much until you consider the cumulative effect. Ten flights of stairs a day for a year can give you a 10 pound loss.
Make commercial time during your favorite program exercise time. Jog in place or follow a specific routine. It might not be much, but you have the benefit of some exercise and you know it will be over soon.
Don’t get a cart when you go to the store. Carry a basket instead. Just keep switching arms for comfort and so that you don’t end up with one really muscular arm.
Inside or outside, chores are great calorie burners. Don’t hire a gardener, don’t get a maid and consider yourself healthier if you don’t have either.
if you have them, or just borrow the neighbor’s. Tag, ball games and other activities can help you burn anywhere from 60 to 130 calories or more, depending on the activity.
Owning a dog means you’ll have to walk it and wash it, both of which are calorie burning activities. Playing with your dog will also do the same. Be warned though, larger dogs will help you burn more calories, so don’t count on a dog that you can slip into your purse to help you on the road to health.
Find a club and start dancing once a week. Or you can get one of those dance video games with the step pads. It’s fun and you might even work up a sweat.
You’re not going to burn many calories on the Wii, but standing is better than sitting, and some activity is better than none. Why not have a Wii night once a week?
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