Ways to Burn Fat + Lose Weight


by Chris Chenoweth - Date: 2006-12-22 - Word Count: 580 Share This!

As we age, our bodies become less effective at burning fat because our metabolism slows down. When this happens, our body stores the excess calories as fat. What are some of the things we can do to keep our metabolism churning along and force our bodies to burn fat?

By following the guidelines listed below, you will help change your body into a healthy, fat-burning, smooth-running machine:

*TAKE A MULTIVITAMIN. Find a good multi-vitamin that contains healthy doses of antioxidants. Antioxidant nutrients protect your body's cells from damage and help convert food into fuel, making them good at fat-burning.

*CUT OUT WHITE FOODS (sugar, flour, bread, donuts, crackers, etc.). They raise insulin levels, protecting your stored fat instead of burning it off. If you have these foods lying around in your kitchen, get rid of them!

*EAT BREAKFAST. If you deprive your body of food in the morning, it will shift into starvation mode and burn fewer calories, resulting in a slower metabolism. Make sure you eat a protein-packed breakfast within one hour of rising. This will jump-start your metabolism and put it in hyper-drive for the next three hours. The best breakfast contains protein and complex carbs like oatmeal and/or other whole grains.

*EAT FOUR OR FIVE SMALL MEALS EVERY 3 HOURS. Eating smaller meals that are protein-packed every three hours keeps your metabolism moving and helps your body maintain a stable insulin level. This prevents the body from releasing excess insulin and storing fat. Your body, instead, uses the energy right away, burning fat and helping you to lose weight.

*DRINK LOTS OF WATER, at least 8 glasses a day, instead of soda or other sweetened beverages. Water flushes out the system and eliminates harmful toxins. It forces the body to run more efficiently, speeds up metabolism, and makes it easier to lose weight and burn fat.

*EXERCISE EVERY DAY - There is no way to avoid it if you want to burn fat and keep your weight down. However, you do not have to kill yourself. The easiest exercise that will benefit anyone regardless of his/her fitness level that can be done inside or outside is walking. A brisk walk can burn as many calories as jogging, but does not have the risk for injury that jogging does. The only equipment needed is a good pair of shoes. If you do not want to walk alone, find a friend to go with you.

*INCREASE YOUR ACTIVITY LEVEL - Walk to work or park your car in the parking space farthest from your destination. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. If you sit at a desk all day, boost your circulation and by doing stretching movements. Make sure you take deep breaths while you stretch to provide cells with the energy-producing oxygen they need to burn fat. Go biking with your kids. Work in the yard, clean house with a little more vigor. Any activity is good for your body.

*REDUCE YOUR STRESS LEVEL - If you lead a stressful lifestyle, find ways to reduce your stress level. Stress increases the levels of cortisol in your body causing fat to be deposited. The more stressed you are, the more fat is deposited. Read, soak in the tub, listen to relaxing music, or whatever works for you.

Keeping your body healthy requires some work on your part. However, following a nutritious diet is a small price to pay for a healthy, fat-burning body that is better able to resist disease and illness. You will feel better, look better, and be healthier.


Related Tags: weight loss, exercise, diet, lose weight, metabolism, burn fat, fat burning, healthy foods

Chris Chenoweth, author of the DO-IT-YOURSELF HOME, HEALTH & MONEY GUIDE, writes articles pertaining to diet, exercise, health, and business.

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