In my previous articles I have discussed that you can boost
your metabolism by making changes to your lifestyle, by
improving your exercise routine and by altering your diet.
These three factors are key components which affect your
metabolic rate. However, with our increasingly busy day to
day lives it can often be difficult to find the time or
space to make such changes. In this article I discuss some
creative ways in which you can incorporate adjustments in
these areas without having a significant impact on your day
to day routine.
Now I am assuming that the majority of people reading this
article are in full time employment. If so, this can be a
huge obstacle to our metabolism boosting efforts. Not only
do the majority of workplaces lend themselves to inactivity
but there is often temptation to eat the wrong kinds of
foods such as biscuits, cakes and carbonated drinks.
However, with a little imagination the workplace can be a
great place to increase your metabolic rate. Below I have
outlined three areas in which you can rev up your
metabolism whilst working:
1) TRAVELLING TO AND FROM WORK:- For many of us the daily
commute involves a bus, train or car journey. However, is
this really neccessary? If it is possible for you to walk,
cycle or jog to and from work (even if it means getting up
a little earlier) then you really should do it. You will
get in some valuable exercise which will help boost your
metabolism plus you should save a little money.
2) EATING AT WORK:- As I mentioned above there is an
increased temptation to eat unhealthy foods in most
workplaces. Often the foods that are most convenient
(chocolate, cakes, crisps etc) are the ones that are most
damaging to your metabolism. The best way to avoid these
tempting and convenient foods is to plan what you are going
to eat each day in the workplace. Either find a place
where you can get hold of some healthy food during work or
prepare your food beforehand and bring it to the workplace
with you. Having the occasional cake will not harm your
metabolic rate significantly but to realise overall
improvements you will need to alter your eating habits.
3) EXERCISING AT WORK:- At first glance this seems like a
difficult one. However, there a number of opportunities in
most workplaces which lend themselves to exercise. Your
lunch break is the perfect time to go for a walk, or if
long enough to have a quick gym session. If a lot of your
work involves sitting at a desk try some desk exercises (a
number of which I detail in my Free Fitness Tips Email
Course). Finally, take every opportunity throughout the
day to remain active. If someone in your department needs
someone to visit another department volunteer to make the
walk, take stairs instead of elevators and if time permits
try and take a slightly longer route to your destination.
Apart from work, children are a large part of many people's
lives. To develop a good relationship with our children we
need to spend time with them. With a little creative
thinking this time can also be a great way to increase your
metabolic rate by exercising. Below I have outlined a few
ways that you can spend time with your children and get
some useful exercise:
1) BALL SPORTS:- Basketball, football or soccer are all fun
ways to bond with your kids. They are also great ways to
build up a sweat and burn some calories. You can play in
your back yard or go to the local park. All you need is a
ball.
2) PLAY FIGHTING:- Young children in particular enjoy play
fighting. By chasing your kids you will get some
cardiovascular exercise and if you lift them up you will
get some weight training benefits too. Play fighting can
be done in the house or in the back yard.
3) SWIMMING:- Teaching your children to swim is a great way
to bond by helping them learn a valuable life skill. It is
also a great way to tone your muscles and get some
cardiovascular exercise.
As you can see our day to day routine throws up a number of
challenges to our metabolism boosting efforts. However,
with a little creative thinking we can still perform our
important daily activities whilst increasing our metabolic
rate. Careful planning and thought can allow you to modify
your diet and exercise habits in the majority of the
situations that your daily life entails, ultimately leading
to an improved metabolism.
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The Free Fitness Tips Blog provides you with fantastic,
free advice on all aspects of fitness. To find out more
about your metabolic rate and how to boost metabolism head
over to http://blog.freefitnesstips.co.uk/
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