10 tips to burn more calories.
#1: Add 10 minutes in the morning
While you may be religious about going to the gym after work, waking up 10 minutes earlier in the morning and taking a walk around the block (or, alternatively, simply dancing to your morning radio show for 10 minutes) will let you start your day off with a faster-burning metabolism and, most likely, head off to work in a better mood than usual.
Boost in calories burned: 275 calories per week
#2: Do intervals
When you alternate high-intensity cardio workout routines with moderate-intensity recovery periods, you boost your calorie burning and increase your fitness level. This will help you break through plateaus.
Here’s how: Warm up for 5 minutes, then increase speed or resistance on the machine for 2-5 minutes. Return to your usual pace for 5 minutes, then continue with short bursts interspersed with a moderate pace for the rest of your fitness workouts. Cool down for 5 minutes at a slower pace.
When you’re ready to progress, make the work part of the interval longer and decrease the recovery time (but never to less than 30 seconds). For example, you could do 6 minutes at a higher speed and rest for 3 minutes.
Boost in calories burned: 300-450 calories per 45 minutes
#3: Workout with a faster partner
Whether it’s in the gym or on the neighborhood track, a fit buddy will challenge you to keep up and exercise at a higher intensity. It’s the friendliest way to kick your own butt! Plus, fitness workouts go faster accompanied by good conversation.
Boost in calories burned: Simply increasing your walk from 3 mph to 4 mph will burn almost 100 extra calories in 60 minutes.
#4: Jump rope on your coffee breaks
Sound silly? It won’t after you read the numbers. Slip off your pumps and put on your sneakers, then head off to a corner with a jump rope. These quick heart-pumping fitness workouts are also weight-bearing, so your muscles and bones will benefit. And you’ll probably feel completely energized, too.
Boost in calories burned: You can burn 208 calories on two 10-minute breaks each day (that’s 1,000 calories a week)!
#5: Go longer
If your typical workout is 30 minutes — no shorter, no longer — here’s an easy way to challenge yourself. Twice a week, try adding 10 or 15 minutes to your cardio. You’ll burn more calories and increase your cardiovascular endurance level, making your weekend hikes and bike rides easier. To adapt your fitness workouts to your higher fitness level, every two weeks up your intensity level by increasing resistance or incline on the machine or road.
Boost in calories burned: Running 30 extra minutes on the treadmill each week can burn 400 calories.
#6: Switch it up
If you always head right for the treadmill, take a step class or get on the elliptical trainer and step up the intensity. This may increase the calorie burn of your workout because our bodies work less efficiently doing new exercises than those we’re used to. Periodically shifting activities will also decrease the chance of an overuse injury and keep your workouts fresh and fun.
Boost calories burned: Step aerobics vs. walking at 3.5 mph burns 237 vs. 177 calories in 30 minutes.
#7: Add one more day
Ho-hum … does week after week only encompass Monday-Wednesday-Friday on the treadmill? Add a Saturday bike ride or Sunday morning indoor cycling class to your week, and your fitness level — and body shape — will show it. Make your workout activity-focused and you’ll also invigorate your mind and spirit.
Boost in calories burned: A two-hour hilly hike can burn up to 800 calories.
#8: Hire a trainer
Nothing gets you out of a fitness rut faster than refining your routine based on the experience of someone who knows exactly how to get results. A good personal trainer (make sure they’re certified) will look at your current program to make sure it’s safe and effective. Does this sound too extravagant? Make an appointment with a trainer once a month or once every three months to update your program and get feedback on your form.
Boost in calories burned: If your trainer has you change from a fast walk to a slow jog, you’ll burn an extra 100 calories in 30 minutes.
#9: Do a mini-triathlon
Instead of trying to force yourself to stay on the recumbent bicycle for 45 minutes each time you workout, here’s your new plan: 15 minutes power walking on a steep incline on the treadmill, 15 minutes on a stationary cycle (ideally at a high resistance level), then 15 minutes in the pool (or use the racing program on your gym’s rowing machine). Be sure to warm up, cool down and stretch, and don’t forget to write down your speeds to keep track of your progress. Reward yourself when you reach the finish line!
P.S.: For an added bonus, combine this activity with cardio boost #3 — working out with a partner — to make this activity even more fun.
Boost in calories burned: One workout = 600 calories burned
#10: End each workout with an invigorating stretch
Stretching is as important after running or walking as it is after weight lifting. A study found that regular stretching can increase your strength by up to 19 percent when interspersed between weight-training exercises. With additional muscle you’ll have more calories burned throughout the day.
Boost in calories burned: You’ll burn another 50 calories after your workout routines.
What do you do to step up the intensity of your workout? What motivates you to push yourself?
