Sometimes, it’s not your workout plan stalling your progress; it’s everything else you do (or don’t do) during the rest of the day. Even if you’re training regularly, you might not be moving enough overall to keep burning calories and seeing results.
The good news? Burning calories doesn’t always have to come from workouts: everyday habits, active hobbies, and daily choices. Even something as simple as walking can make a real difference. To help you in this endeavour, here are 8 easy ways to burn more calories.
8 ways to burn more calories every day
1 – Use the stairs
Ditch the lift and take the stairs whenever you can. Climbing stairs works your leg muscles and can burn many calories throughout the day. Bonus point if you have a few flights to climb.
2 – Walk, walk, walk
Bipedalism got us this far as a species, and it’ll take your calorie burn to the next level. A brisk 30-minute walk can torch around 150–200 calories, making it one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay active and burn more calories.
3 – Switch to a standing desk
If you can, opt for a standing desk, as it can have a surprising impact on the amount of calories you burn. Most modern jobs are sedentary and keep us glued to a chair for hours. Standing desks help fight that inertia and keep your body more active throughout the day.
4 – Take short movement breaks
Set a reminder every 30 minutes to stand, stretch, or take a quick stroll. And during lunch, try a brisk walk around the block before you sit down. Just 10 minutes of walking can burn up to 100 calories, boost your energy, and refresh your focus for the rest of the day.
5 – Clean your house
Household chores might not be anyone’s idea of fun, but they’re an underrated way to stay active. Vacuuming, mopping, and scrubbing get your body moving and your heart rate up. And you can take it up a notch by putting on your favourite playlist and turning cleaning into a full-on dance session.
6 – Dance like nobody’s watching
Speaking of which, dancing is a fun and effective way to raise your heart rate and burn calories. Just 15 minutes can burn up to 100 calories, depending on the intensity. The best part? You don’t need to join a class or wait for a party; just put on your favourite song and let loose whenever you can.
7 – Get a pet (or use yours as an excuse)
Got a dog? That’s your built-in walking buddy. A few rounds of fetch or chasing them around can help you move more. Stretch those walks — we promise you’ll both enjoy it. It doesn’t quite work if you’ve got a cat, though.
8 – Make it social
Moving doesn’t have to mean going solo. Next time you make plans with friends or family, swap coffee for a walk in the park. You’ll still get to catch up, but you’ll add steps, fresh air, and calories burned.
