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Burn Calories Without Exercise

By Sindhu Bharadwaj

Some people seem so healthy, fit and toned even though they don't know the word 'workout' much to the envy of people who spend hours in the gym working out on cardio equipment and aerobics. The body tends to burn a few calories while we breathe, through digestion and circulation. However, it is found that doing other usual chores can also burn calories as much as a workout can. Body metabolic rate or BMR defines the number of calories you can burn based on your heart beat, hormones, diet and your physiological composition.

If you find a routine exercise or workout as a boring task you might want to try something natural with which you can easily burn calories and still manage to look slim & fit.

So, here are a few things you can do in lieu of a hardcore exercise.

Burn Calories Without Exercise:

Prefer stairs to elevator

Prefer stairs to elevator

Your workstation may be on the 5-6th floor of the building. Using the stairs instead of the elevator can help reduce atleast 65 calories.

Household chores

Household chores

Brooming, mopping, dusting, and re-arranging the house can burn upto 200-400 calories which is equal to a high cardio aerobic session.

Take a walk/cycling

Take a walk/cycling

Leave your car and bike at home/office and take a walk or cycle to the nearest shop where you want to buy your stuff. This also saves on fuel and brisk walking for 10-15 minutes is known to burn 250 calories.

Simple movements

Simple movements

Tapping your feet, rotating your head, walking between your desk to your colleague's, shaking a leg, standing up & sitting down, walking up & down the stairs every now and then helps burn calories.

Ironing your clothes

Ironing your clothes

This may sound like the most boring job on the earth. But ironing your clothes is known to burn 150 calories. Turn on or tune into your favourite music station and start ironing your clothes. The heat of the iron box reacts with the body leaving you perspired and in turn burn calories.

 Gardening

Gardening

It's always a joy to see the flowers bloom in your yard. Try and practise a green thumb and reap the benefits of the flowers and fruits in your garden. Plant new varieties of saplings, this helps to burn around 120 calories.

Laugh out loud

Laugh out loud

Yes, laughing not only releases endorphins in your body but also reduces stress and burns calories. Watch your favourite sitcom or cartoon. Or just read the old jokes from your cell phone and have a hearty laugh.

Walk the dog

Walk the dog

Taking your dog out for a walk every evening or morning can burn upto 150 calories.

Breathe

Breathe

For every 5 deep breath you inhale and exhale you burn 60 calories. This helps in circulating blood to the entire body making you feel fresh and renewed. It also helps in boosting the metabolism of the body. Inhale through the nose slowly and exhale through the mouth. When you do this you feel the cool air passing through your throat and abdomen and hot air coming out through your mouth.

Brain teasers

Brain teasers

Have you observed that when your brain is active your body tends to heat up and you feel fatigued? Playing sudoku, puzzles, riddles, chess, ludo and other brain games also reduces calories in the body. The brain sends signals to the body to remain active and alert. This in turn makes you perspire, removing toxins through sweat. That is the reason you tend to feel thirsty when you finish a sudoku or a crossword puzzle.

Eat healthy

Eat healthy

Compromising on exercise would call for a light and hearty diet. Most of your weight is controlled by following a strict diet based on your body needs and physiology. Avoid junk food.

 Sleep well

Sleep well

Sleeping also burns calories. Many people who have sleeping disorders tend to be obese or plump. Sleep for at least 6-8 hours a day.

Surfing net

Surfing net

Don't be surprised when you read that surfing the internet for approximately an hour everyday can help you burn 60 calories.

Story first published: Thursday, April 4, 2013, 13:47 [IST]
Read more about: weight loss fitness