5 Unexpected Ways to Burn Calories

Let’s face it. The New Year’s resolution to be more fit has most likely died and since spring break is over, there’s no reason to hit the gym everyday. Working out has gone from the number one priority to a dreadful chore that’s likely to be ignored.  Instead of fretting about the new level of laziness, there are simple, unexpected alternatives to lead a healthier lifestyle and burn those excess calories.

Sing your heart out

By joining your favorite music artist and participating in song, you can actually burn a significant amount of calories. One hour of singing can surprisingly burn about 140 calories. That’s comparable to one York Peppermint Pattie. The louder and longer you sing, the more calories will drop. If one is looking for an extra workout, dancing will make the calories drop even faster. One hour of low impact dancing will burn approximately 340 calories, which is more than a can of Coca-Cola.

Pick it up

Instead of procrastinating your household chores, embrace them and recognize that you’re burning calories. An hour’s worth of mopping can burn about 280 calories. Even more will fall if the mopping is done vigorously. After the tile, continue to the carpet. Vacuuming for the same amount of time will burn about 240 calories and more if you decide to conquer the stairs.

Shop to drop

Despite the irony, shopping for food actually burns calories. Pushing a cart through a grocery store is considered active. This is especially true if one is navigating through a supercenter and stocking their cart with bulk items. The heavier the cart, means more calories to lose. A mere hour of grocery shopping will burn more than 200 calories.

Catch up on some Z’s

Finally, a way to burn calories that everyone enjoys. While one may be dreaming about working out, the body is actually burning about 50 calories an hour. After a full eight hours of sleep, one can start the day without an extra 800 calories. Reverting to a 30-minute power nap instead of an extra cup of coffee will also eliminate those excess calories, as well as, serve the boost in energy one needs to finish the day.

Foods with negative calories

Technically, all food has calories. But when certain foods are consumed, it takes more effort to prepare, eat and digest the food, making it possible for the body to burn more calories than what is actually being delivered.

A prime example of this magical food is celery. One cup of celery contains 19 calories, but between the preparation, the chewing, digestion and elimination process, one can consume as much celery as they want without gaining body fat. More examples include broccoli, grapefruit, and cucumbers.