Happy Tuesday Lovers!
I just found out that I will have my wedding dress in.my.hands this weekend for keeps and in a last ditch effort to look slim-n-sleek here are some tips to burning more calories without adding any more designated exercise to your routine.
I do these things whether I'm working out regularly (always!) or not so much (... always).
1) Take the stairs. It's good for your butt and it is a form of cardio. If you live or work in a building with an elevator, try taking the stairs. If you work on, say, the 84th floor, take the elevator up to the 80th and walk the last few floors.
2) If there are copiers all over the office, use the one furthest from you. If you aren't networked to that machine, network yourself or ask for help!
3) Chew your food thoroughly. Not only does it aid in digestion, but the actual act of chewing burns more calories. Gum chewers, chomp away with your mouth closed.
4) Take a walk on your lunch break.
5) Do crunches or push-ups during commercial breaks at home.
6) When mopping or sweeping the floor, treat every reach forward as a crunch or a lunge. Instead of moving to the spot you are mopping/sweeping, reach for it while crunching your abs or take wide, lunging steps. Make sure you are alone with the house alarm set when you do this. You will want plenty of time to straighten up and look "normal" if someone walks in.
7) If you are on a long phone call (professional or personal), don't sit down. Stand or even walk around. Standing burns more calories than sitting.
8) While you're brushing your teeth, do squats. Also, don't let the water run, jack.
9) Walk/bike to run your errands instead of taking the bus/train/your car. Not only is walking exercise, but you will be lifting weights if you carry jars, cans and produce back from the grocery store. And if you live too far from your destination and must drive, park on the far side of the parking lot.
10) Laugh more.
And for our double header (*drumroll): Ways to Cut More Calories!
1) Ask for salad dressing on the side and use only 1/2 of it. Choose oil/vinegar based dressings over mayonnaise based dressings.
2) Drink water at lunch instead of soda.
3) Drink your coffee/tea black or with skim milk.
4) Keep yourself hydrated as sometimes when we think we are snackish we are actually thirsty.
5) Give yourself smaller portions at home and only go back for 2nds after sitting for 5 minutes between portions. Let your stomach feel full before you get stuffed.
6) "Sacrifice" one meal a day. If you have sugar free oatmeal for breakfast, you can have a burger for dinner. If you have a salad with lite dressing for lunch, you can have cookies after dinner. Deny yourself only some things sometimes.
7) Pack your lunch. If you eat out all of the time, not only is it costly, but you have little idea of the preservatives, fat, sodium and calorie content in what you're eating.
8) Do not clean your plate. American portions are plus sized and we tend to eat what we're given. Leave a few bites on your plate and your stomach will thank you.
9) Carry snacks with you and keep them at your desk to fight of starvation. If you can't make it from 9 to Noon without stomach rumblings, have some almonds, low sodium pretzels or cereal at the office to keep you from getting super hungry and eventually overeating. Eating more frequently also keeps your metabolism up.
10) If you have the munchies in the evening, go to bed. Your body might just be looking for an excuse to stay awake.
I'll post some shameless photos of me in my wedding dress after this shin-dig is done so you can be the judge of these slimming tips.
