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5 Ways to Burn Calories (That Aren’t All About Exercise)

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By Kathryn Vercillo



We all know that if we want to lose weight than we have to burn off more calories than we take in. It’s a simple equation that most of us can understand. Getting ourselves to actually do the work necessary to burn calories isn’t always quite so easy though. A lot of people find it difficult because they think that it means that they have to exercise every day. It’s definitely important to get enough exercise if you want to burn calories to lose weight. However, that’s not the only thing that you should be doing to burn calories. Believe it or not, there are a lot of other things that you can do to burn calories other than just your standard trip to the gym.

Here are five great ways to burn calories on a daily basis:

1. Eat to Burn Calories.

You already know that you have to eat properly if you want to lose weight. But were you aware of the fact that there are a lot of foods that you can eat that will actually assist you in burning more calories? If you eat smart, you can burn more calories even as you take calories in to get energy. What a great concept. Some of the tips that you’ll want to follow if you’re going to eat to burn calories include:

• Eat often but make the meals small ones. There are some experts who believe that eating frequently assists you in burning more calories than you would burn if you ate the same amount of food in just one or two sittings. The reason for this is that you are working your digestive system every time that you eat. Those experts say that each time you start a meal, you burn up some calories by igniting your digestive system. If you only eat once or twice per day then you only burn those calories once or twice. If you eat five or six times per day then you’ll burn more calories. The trick is to make sure that you keep your meals small so that you aren’t taking in more calories while you do this.

• Eat breakfast. You want to get started right away with those digestion burning calories. You shouldn’t skip breakfast for a number of reasons anyway. Doing so is definitely linked to weight gain with a few different causes to blame. Think about this when you’re trying to burn calories each day.

• Eat protein. The body has to work harder to digest protein than to digest other foods. This means that you’re burning more calories when you eat it. Choose protein that’s as low in calories as possible to get the most benefit.

• Burn some calories to get your meal. It’s the little things that we do all day long that help us to burn more calories. If you order your food as a delivery meal then you’re not burning as many calories as you would if you went to get your food. If you get a pre-made sandwich instead of walking around the kitchen to make your own sandwich then you’re not burning as many calories as you could. Think about how to burn calories while you’re getting food and eating it.

2. Drink to Burn Calories

It isn’t just the food that we take in that can help us with burning more calories. If we choose the right drinks then they can also act as calorie-burners. There are two really important drinks that we want to get used to having daily if we’re going to drink to burn calories: water and tea.

Water is really important for our bodies and for weight loss. The body works to absorb and use water and it’s burning calories the whole time that you do that. Most people don’t drink enough liquid at all. You should increase your liquid intake to help burn calories throughout the day. The liquid you choose should be water since this helps you to burn those calories without taking in new calories. With all of the other benefits water has for your body, this is really a win-win situation.

When water just isn’t going to satisfy you then your next best choice for a beverage is green tea. Green tea has been shown to have calorie-burning properties. When you drink green tea, you burn more calories than you take in. If you don’t like green tea then you can also burn calories by drinking caffeinated black tea. However, green tea is a better choice. Remember that you lose out on the calorie-burning benefits of tea if you add milk or sweeteners to it.

3. Chew Gum

You might not think that you would burn a lot of calories just by chewing gum. However, that extra action for your mouth can end up resulting in a lot of calories burned if you’re chewing gum all day every day. You’ll want to choose no-calorie gum to get the benefits of burning those calories. And you’ll want to discuss this with your dentist since chewing gum all day may be bad for some people’s teeth. It’s a neat little trick to add to your repertoire of burning calories though.

4. Move Quickly and Often

Ultimately you’re going to need to move to really burn some calories. Get in the habit of doing all of your daily activities with just a bit more speed and energy than you usually do and you’ll find yourself burning off more calories than you did in the past. Simply speeding up your walking pace is a good start. Do your house chores with intensity instead of doing them in the lazy manner that you’re probably accustomed to. By working this type of non-exercise exercise into your daily routine, you’re naturally going to burn a lot of calories without feeling like you’re doing too much work.

5. Exercise

Finally, there is the thing that will burn the most calories and that’s exercise. What you should do is to make sure that you choose forms of exercise that you truly enjoy. This will allow you to do them often in order to burn calories while still enjoying each day.

 

Note: See links for resources used when researching this article.


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sadonna23 profile image

sadonna23  says:
5 months ago

Great Advice!

jayb23 profile image

jayb23  says:
5 months ago

Great and very nicely written. These are useful tips to loose weight and Iam sure people will find them useful.

JPSO138 profile image

JPSO138  says:
5 months ago

I really love the information you have shared. Great hub!

James S. Thornton profile image

James S. Thornton  says:
5 months ago

Eat breakfast & eat protein.

Even better advice is to eat a protein breakfast!

I've been doing it for years. Wouldn't go back to bread if you held me at gunpoint.

;)

mulberry1 profile image

mulberry1  says:
5 months ago

I guess every little bit helps doesn't it? I know that if you tend to fidget alot you burn a lot of calories...seriously. Like wiggling your feet while sitting and so forth. When I would visit friends who were overweight I always noticed that they tended to sit still a great deal where as I would be wiggling, fidgeting etc. I'm certain that wasn't the only difference but it was just very obvious to me as I would go stir crazy.

angel  says:
5 months ago

very good info!!!thanks

Eric Bryan profile image

Eric Bryan  says:
5 months ago

Thank you -- it's good to see the "eat breakfast" and "eat protein" sections, since not eating can apparently trigger "emergency fat storage" in the body. I've noticed how excess fat just sits there stubbornly when I barely eat for a length of time! It's hard to convince someone that eating a little, and eating breakfast, can give you energy and help you lose fat. And keeping your blood sugar up by eating high-protein things like nuts -- cashews, etc. -- gives you energy and can keep you moving. And since protein is muscle food, it's not the type that's going to make you fat. (This gum-chewing business is a new one on me, though.)

JennyRoseV profile image

JennyRoseV  says:
5 months ago

Hey, thanks for the good advice. Weight loss is always an issue with me. It's nice to know some of the things I do anyway are helpful. It's also nice to have some easy things I can incorporate into my every day activities.

Thanks a bunch!

Wendy Krick profile image

Wendy Krick  says:
5 months ago

Great information!

manujkhera profile image

manujkhera  says:
5 months ago

Excellent topic..........Thanks alot.

Portable Hot Tub  says:
5 months ago

Great advise, every little bit helps and when you start adding up all the calories you can burn doing each thing that you talk about then the number gets to be pretty large.

Sallyfoster  says:
5 months ago

I’ve been using <a href=http://www.vienueacai.com/>VieNue Acai Berry Supplement</a> for a month now, and it has helped me lose 15 pounds! I have more energy, I feel great, and I’m not hungry all the time. its suposed to safely speed up your metabolism, and cleanse your body, and is full of healthy anti-oxidants. It’s great. I recommend <a href=http://www.vienueacai.com/>VieNue Acai Berry Supplement pills</a> to anyone who’s trying to lose a few pounds, or just get a little healthier. and can help on top of all these great ideas in this hub.

Lunalu profile image

Lunalu  says:
5 months ago

Helpful, thank you! By the way, the Exercise I choose is dancing. I persist to dance every day. I enjoy it.

Kya profile image

Kya  says:
5 months ago

Thanks, Kathryn, for including some easy to follow and non-hurting tips that help. By the way pineapple and asparagus also seem to do the job of burning more calories than you take in.

TanituIsland profile image

TanituIsland  says:
5 months ago

Laughing Burns Calories :)

hienergybrain profile image

hienergybrain  says:
5 months ago

hmmm(thinking noise)...I thank you

Katherine_Huether  says:
5 months ago

This is great advice, especially the lesson on how to eat. However, exercise is important, too. :)

markamoment  says:
5 months ago

I personally feel that diet and exercise go hand in hand..but your advise is simply great!!!

barryrutherford profile image

barryrutherford  says:
5 months ago

sounds very good will give the ideas a try

rsmallory profile image

rsmallory  says:
5 months ago

I love this hub!! Thanks for the info!

one2recognize2 profile image

one2recognize2  says:
5 months ago

This is a great hub indeed. Thanks for sharing, and I'm sure it will help a lot of people dealing with the unwanted fat issues get a better handle on things. :)

spiderpam profile image

spiderpam  says:
5 months ago

Thanks great advice.

Mr Ghaz profile image

Mr Ghaz  says:
5 months ago

Excellent!..Very informative and well written piece..Thanx for sharing this great advices.

ginosblog profile image

ginosblog  says:
5 months ago

Nice article. I went on the Adkin's diet which is a lot of protein and lost 50 lbs. in a little over a month. I have to admit I was running a mile every day at that time. I have always had to fight the weight thing. I have a twin that is 100lbs. less than I am and it has always been like that all of our lives. I did not know if you added sweeteners to green tea you lose the benefit. I did have my suspicions. Thanks.

lafenty profile image

lafenty  says:
5 months ago

You have some good pointers here. It is so hard to get the motivation to exercise every day. With these other ideas, maybe I can get away with every other day. Thanks for the informative hub.

Alessia profile image

Alessia  says:
5 months ago

Simple, yet efficient advices! I not sure about chewing gum though, because chewing gum can actually make you hungry. When you chew gum, you salivate and a signal gets sent from your brain to your stomach that food is on its way, and you begin to produce gastrointestinal juices.

Tracy  says:
5 months ago

That sounds good but another thing that might work is using reshaping garments. This will help keep your weight at the top of your mind and let you know if you are overeating or drinking. Check them out at www.getbodymagiconline.com

agaglia profile image

agaglia  says:
5 months ago

This is a way to jump start my diet. thanks.

I also took note of your hub for my own writing. thanks for the topic and references. nice job.

Gardo  says:
5 months ago

Thanks for the tips, keep on coming. I always look for fun ways of burning fat, even those silly ones like this: http://sinfuldiet.blogspot.com/search/label/US%20J

marcofratelli profile image

marcofratelli  says:
5 months ago

Great hub. Apparently Celery is one of those foods that have so little calories that eating it actually burns more calories than you are taking in. :) Always a winner, especially with dips (oops, found the calories). Just be careful it's not good to eat when you're pregnant...

celistina profile image

celistina  says:
5 months ago

Thanks for the tips! I personally still find exercise the best method for me though since I find it hard to control diet habits. A double pronged effort of exercise and diet will be the most effective.

stephxlove profile image

stephxlove  says:
5 months ago

Nice hub, but I would have liked to seen more examples. Like when you said some of the foods aid in burning calories, maybe listing them?

kreate profile image

kreate  says:
5 months ago

I honestly feel a treadmill is the real way to weight loss.

torat  says:
5 months ago

nice one, think i'm gonna practice this and see how far it'll go

Steve-o  says:
5 months ago

The only secret to fitness and weight control is dedication. Most people give up their goals/objectives after a few weeks. Proper nutrition and exercise is a life long endeavor. It's amazing how few people get that point.

samanthagardner profile image

samanthagardner  says:
5 months ago

Some great ideas for everyday.

starcatchinfo profile image

starcatchinfo  says:
5 months ago

Thanks for the advise. I better put in action.

MobItaly profile image

MobItaly  says:
5 months ago

Very interesting page, thank you for your advise and tips!!! :)

Do you have any special suggestion for vegetarians?

ivanajohn profile image

ivanajohn  says:
5 months ago

Exercise has always been my prefered method to losing those calories however I think I will add speed up your day to day activities to my list. Like run up the stairs ( or some of them ) instead of walk. Carry the shopping bags from the shop to the car not in a trolly. Actually when you think about it there are a load of ways to burn calories with out exercise. Great tip

Bailey Misate profile image

Bailey Misate  says:
5 months ago

That's great advice! I didn't know about a lot of this information. I'm glad I read this. :)

Mrs Hozey profile image

Mrs Hozey  says:
5 months ago

Thanks for the tips!

becksbeauty profile image

becksbeauty  says:
5 months ago

great tips - simple and easy to follow. I like the one about chewing gum (as I am a gum fan)!

athena08 profile image

athena08  says:
5 months ago

I never knew that adding milk or a sweetener to green tea causes you to lose out on its benefits. Guess I'll have to give them up then. Yikes.

Thanks,

Chris

P.S. Is it just the calorie-burning benefits you lose out on or all the antioxidant benefits as well?

1AutomationWiz profile image

1AutomationWiz  says:
5 months ago

Great ideas, thanks! Like to eat what I want :)

lilolladystuff profile image

lilolladystuff  says:
5 months ago

Good artcle with lots of useful tips. Thanks.

LisaCraig profile image

LisaCraig  says:
5 months ago

Nice! Every bit of exercise helps for sure. One key is to burn calories from the beginning of the day to the end rather than just in one exercise period in the evening or whenever. Little things add up.

And for the joggers out there, jogging at a constant pace is horribly inefficient. Alternate 30 seconds fast, 1 min slow for 20 mins and you'll be fitter and burn a LOT more calories than constant-speed jogging. Really!! It's harder, but challenging and more effective.

bigmikeh profile image

bigmikeh  says:
5 months ago

Could not agree more about eating breakfast. Skipping this meal is the root cause of so many dietary problems.

kingjames4ever profile image

kingjames4ever  says:
5 months ago

I know so many people who'd wanna read this!

michelle.dragon99 profile image

michelle.dragon99  says:
5 months ago

hi kathryn....i love your hub....you're right...breakfast is mandatory if you currently implementing a weight loss plan....the reason is breakfast is the source of energy for sustaining your stomach for not feeling hungry during your weight loss period....don't worried you will absorb more calories if you take a reasonable amount of food for your breakfast....caused calories burning ratio for breakfast is double comparing to your other meal :)

Samantha Goodman profile image

Samantha Goodman  says:
4 months ago

Great hub. I agree with you Kathryn about drinking lots of water & tea. I have started drinking green tea instead of coffee and are really noticing the benefits.

MicroMixx  says:
4 months ago

I will share this hub to my friend since she is looking for these helpful ways.

ecoggins profile image

ecoggins  says:
4 months ago

This is great. I am not overweight but the weight I have is in the wrong places. These tips can help me too. Thanks.

Eat Smart Age Smart  says:
4 months ago

Losing weight is something a lot of people don't want to do, but need to do. Rather than convicting yourself to a month of cabbage soup or a year without pasta and chocolate, your body will cooperate and feel more balanced if you maintain a healthy ratio between your intake of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.

manujkhera profile image

manujkhera  says:
4 months ago

Great work......By the way please take a look at http://www.manujenterprises.com

DianeD profile image

DianeD  says:
4 months ago

Great commonsense tips that are mostly easy for just about anybody to incorporate!

MaryElena profile image

MaryElena  says:
4 months ago

Very simple steps but many people don't have the discipline to put it into action.

Life's A Stage profile image

Life's A Stage  says:
4 months ago

I will always think of breakfast in a different light lol

wwwposter  says:
4 months ago

Nice article...:)

Kmadhav profile image

Kmadhav  says:
4 months ago

Great tips to burn calories in which few I am doing.

mamamia  says:
3 months ago

Check out the Fat loss for Idiots diet plan here!

kenderso profile image

kenderso  says:
3 months ago

Great article. Lots of things you would never think about to lose inches.

naveenkadian profile image

naveenkadian  says:
3 months ago

Hey Great tips to burn calories.I think its really need for everybody because everybody want to be maintain good health and be slim.Very Nice.........Really very useful.I wanna join your fan club and wants you to join my fan club also.Waiting for your next great posting.Thanks..........

Anandk  says:
3 months ago

It is a very useful hub, as many fear to eat in order to reduce the fat. Thanks providing such a nice hub. It is very nice to hear that fat can be reduced by eating too.

FirstStepsFitness profile image

FirstStepsFitness  says:
3 months ago

Well written ...very good points too . Every little bit adds up it can be as simple was parking the furthest away from the store . :)

Nisha shan  says:
3 months ago

This hub is very informative. I have learnt it for the first time, that chewing gum could be used to burn calories. Thanks for the hub.

Erick Smart  says:
3 months ago

I used to do #4 often but now I have to spend so much time at the computer I do not get the chance to move around as much.

BodyMagicGal  says:
3 months ago

I think that is a great medium to long term solution. But people often lose motivation in the long run. I think what was mentioned before about body shaper garments is a good bridge from a short term solution to a permanent habit change.

Rajini  says:
2 months ago

Great advice. I rated your article 'up'.

Eternal Evolution profile image

Eternal Evolution  says:
2 months ago

grat artical, very informitive

AnnieMary  says:
2 months ago

Great hub, good advice

I have had great success with losing weight

Here's how I did it

http://hubpages.com/hub/The-most-simple-diet-you-w

amit  says:
2 months ago

Yoga is a good way to burn calories..

quijonido profile image

quijonido  says:
2 months ago

Eat protein to stay full. Works great for me!

magdielqr profile image

magdielqr  says:
2 months ago

Excellent Hub! Thank you for this Hub.

Your So Lean profile image

Your So Lean  says:
2 months ago

Nice hub - great info.

mukuna  says:
2 months ago

great

there are bounty of other supplementary products to aid in this. check out more.

jbryant22  says:
2 months ago

Great information!

rvsrinivasan profile image

rvsrinivasan  says:
2 months ago

It is excellant. I have written an hub 'Tips for your good health'. Please see and offer your valuable suggesions.

Audacious Shelley profile image

Audacious Shelley  says:
5 weeks ago

I also heard that laughing burns calories too, so if you're gonna veg out and watch a movie, pick a comedy that will keep you laughing almost non-stop. Remember to use the bathroom before doing that though.

Putz Ballard profile image

Putz Ballard  says:
5 weeks ago

Great hub, some great and interesting information. thanks for witing such a wonderful paper.

Camas Articuladas  says:
5 weeks ago

Well I need to lose weight and burn calories. I hate doing exercises. This is exactly what i was looking for. Thanks!

bgpappa profile image

bgpappa  says:
4 weeks ago

Good advice and very well written article.

Thanks for the read

jacky  says:
4 weeks ago

very good info!!!thanks

mlozinski profile image

mlozinski  says:
4 weeks ago

Thanks! Lots of good reminders in here, remember these during the Holiday Season!

jarnols profile image

jarnols  says:
4 weeks ago

Thanx for the advice very much appreciated

deedlit2005 profile image

deedlit2005  says:
4 weeks ago

woot. love it. great article. ^_^

edguider profile image

edguider  says:
4 weeks ago

Great hub, I like "3. Chew Gum" Thats probably the easiest one to burn calories..

Hendrika profile image

Hendrika  says:
4 weeks ago

I know about the green tea, but I hate all forms of tea! Even if I'm as big as a bus I'll still stick with my coffee. Good advice though for those that are willing to drink tea!

SophieJayne13  says:
3 weeks ago

Perfect

Coach Albert profile image

Coach Albert  says:
2 weeks ago

Great article with good tips. I like that you slipped in exercise at the end, since it's my line of work, but it brings to mind the question, how is exercise not "all about exercise" ? eh, semantics. Cheers!

healthwriter profile image

healthwriter  says:
2 weeks ago

Gr8 information you have shared.

gr8info profile image

gr8info  says:
2 weeks ago

Great tips. Especially the metabolism one

ciidoctor profile image

ciidoctor  says:
4 days ago

can you make hub about slim person and how to get weight because iam slim every body wanna loose weight but i want gain weight

gramsmith profile image

gramsmith  says:
18 hours ago

You have done amazing here and gave great tips for lose extra weight and make our body slimy.We all know that if we want to lose weight than we have to burn our calories.But its not easy one we have to follow good tips like what you have already given.Thanks Kathryn Vercillo.

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