2. Watch a horror film
Apparently, you don’t need to move from your sofa in order to lose weight.
Researchers at the University of Westminster found that viewers of horror films unwittingly work up a sweat.
Sitting in front of a scary movie can see you burn a whopping 184 calories.
If you did this a few times a week, you’d be torching around 500kcal without even realising.
Dr Richard Mackenzie, the physiologist who carried out the test, said: “As the pulse quickens and blood pumps around the body faster, the body experiences a surge in adrenaline.
“It is this release of fast-acting adrenaline, produced during short bursts of intense stress (or in this case, brought on by fear), which is known to lower the appetite, increase the basal metabolic rate and ultimately burn a higher level of calories.”
3. Go bowling
Working out doesn’t have to feel like a chore.
There are plenty of ways to work up a sweat without stepping foot in a gym.
Instead of exercising, why not hit the bowling alley.
Two hours of bowling is said to burn more than 500 calories.
Gather up your pals before hitting the alley for a healthy night out.
4. Eat more chillis
Spicy foods have been found to boost metabolism by up to 20%.
Chillis also contain capsaicin, a compound that aids weight loss and improves heart health.
A study published in the NCBI found that the peppers encourage the body to use up energy – and therefore, fat.
It noted: “Meta-analysis findings suggest that daily consumption of capsaicinoids may contribute to weight management through reductions in energy intake.
“Subsequently, there may be potential for capsaicinoids to be used as long-term, natural weight-loss aids.”
5. Tidy the house
If you hate exercise and housework, why not kill two birds with one stone?
Terri-Ann Nunns recently told Daily Star Online that a spot of dusting can help you to fight the flab.
She said: “Cleaning, hoovering and tidying are all physical work and require you to be constantly on the move – similar to if you were working out.
“This means it’s a really effective and easy way to burn calories.”
The following chores can be effective calorie burners:
- An hour spent dusting burns 166 calories
- An hour hoovering burns 175 calories an hour
- An hour of ironing burns 157 calories
6. Meditate
A lot of people overeat when they are stressed or upset.
But taking time to meditate daily will help you relax and improve your overall health.
The practice of meditation has been shown to curb emotional eating and improve your foods habits to slim down faster and keep the pounds off.
A McGill study found that meditation is extremely effective for long-term weight loss.
It says meditation makes you more aware of yourself and your body.
Once you are tuned in, you’re more likely to notice if you are actually hungry are just reaching for the cookie jar out of habit.
7. Fidget
If you’re a natural fidgeter, you could be doing yourself some favours.
Diet expert Terri-Ann Nunns told Daily Star Online: “Fidgeting whilst watching TV, sat at your desk or eating dinner such as tapping your foot, shaking your leg or always getting up and down burns calories as your body is constantly moving.”
An Iowa State University study backs this theory.
Research found that those who were less sedentary torched an additional 300kcal a day.
So get moving – even if it does wind up anyone sitting near you.
8. Have a hot bath
Apparently, soaking in the tub can help you to lose weight.
A study from Loughborough University investigated the effect of a hot bath on blood sugar control.
They also tracked how many calories were burned when participants had a soak.
Participants were split into two groups – one of which relaxed in a 40 degree bath for an hour, while the others cycled.
Researchers measured how many calories the men burned during each activity and monitored their blood pressure for 24 hours after each trial.
While cycling burnt more calories, researchers found the hour-long bath burnt as many calories as a half hour walk (approximately 140 calories).
9. Chew gum
Popping a piece of gum in your mouth can do more than just help curb hunger pangs.
Researchers at the University of Rhode Island found that those who chewed gum burned 5-8% more calories than those who didn’t.
They also reckon it could help you eat around 70 less calories a day.
While keeping your tongue occupied should help you to ward off cravings, you should never use it as a meal substitute.
Check out these healthy meal prep ideas that will help you to achieve a healthy and balanced diet.
10. Sleep naked
If you’re looking to torch calories while you sleep, wearing less clothes could be the way forward.
When you’re naked, your body works harder to stay warm.
This causes it to burn up more energy than it usually does – as well as speeding the metabolism.
A study published in the US National Institute supported this theory.
It found that brown fat – which is needed to burn calories – increased in participants that were colder.
Results showed: “After a month of exposure to mild cold, the participants had a 42% increase in brown fat volume and a 10% increase in fat metabolic activity.”
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