Most people assume the best way to burn calories is to go to the gym three times a week, but there are plenty of ways to burn calories outside the gym that don’t include running or walking.
Here are five surprising and unexpected ways to burn calories.
Getting adequate sleep.You burn calories all day, but you even burn calories while you are asleep. The calories you burn while you’re sleeping are used to sustain vital functions in the body, such as maintaining internal temperature, repairing cells, and pumping blood.
Cleaning the house. Cleaning your home is an excellent combination of high-impact and low-impact activity. For example, sweeping and mopping the floor can get your heart rate up, while vacuuming or dusting will lower it again. Thirty minutes of cleaning can burn over 150 calories!
Gardening.Another great way to burn calories is gardening. Spending time outside not only boosts your mood but also burns calories without feeling like you’re engaging in a heavy workout. You can get your heart rate up by cutting the grass, tilling land, or even repotting plants.
Playing with the kids. Have you ever noticed how exhausting it can be chasing after children all day? Running after children is a great way to improve your physical and emotional health. A game like hopscotch or jumping rope can burn over 200 cal for half an hour.
Drinking plenty of water.Finally, drinking water helps flush your body, aids in digestion, and makes your metabolism work faster for a short period. Drinking water can increase your energy expenditure by up to 30% within 10 minutes.
Burning calories doesn’t always happen at the gym. There are plenty of ways to still get a quality workout without running a treadmill or stationary bike. No matter what type of workout you engage in, it’s important to refuel your body afterward. A high-quality snack, such as Jawbox Jerky, can keep you full while helping your muscles repair themselves in preparation for your next workout.
