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While there are lots of diets, programs, and pills on the market that promise to yield weight loss, at the end of the day the only thing that will show true long lasting results is being in a consistent calorie deficit. For this reason, people who are trying to achieve weight loss are always on the lookout for new ways to boost calorie burn. Although this is mostly done through how many calories you take in, exercise can also play a role. Because movement burns calories, exercising regularly can give you an extra boost to help achieve a caloric deficit. Being intentional in your exercise regimen is crucial for maximizing your benefit and achieving your goals. Health experts are sharing their recommendations for exercising with calorie burn in mind.
Try HIIT Workouts
HIIT, or High Intensity Interval Training, is a type of exercise where you do intense exercise for short periods of time. “The best thing about HIIT is it doesn’t take much time and you can choose exercises that don’t require any equipment, which means you’ll actually get your workouts in when short on time and can do them anywhere,” Erica Ziel, a nutrition coach, personal trainer, and deep core exercise specialist told SheFinds. HIIT is a great workout to try because through its intensity, you are increasing your oxygenation, and as a result improving your cardiovascular endurance. It also keeps you burning calories long after the workout is over. Try these circuits for your next workout!
Stay Hydrated
One thing that can sabotage one’s goals is getting injured and being unable to workout at all. This is why it’s so important to take good care of your muscles and take proper aftercare of them to keep them strong and healthy. An important component of this is staying hydrated, as hydration allows the muscles to stay strong.“Drinking water and being hydrated will enhance your performance.” Jessica Mazzucco, a NYC certified fitness trainer and founder of The Glute Recruit, told SheFinds. “Without an adequate supply of water, muscles will cramp, and your body will lack energy.” Be sure to stay hydrated while working out and afterward to protect your muscles.
Add Weight Lifting to Your Routine
If you’re focusing solely on cardio, you may be missing out on a crucial component to burning calories all day long—weight lifting. “Cardio usually burns more calories per session, helps you burn fat, and targets the core and lower body muscles. Weight training, on the other hand, helps you build strength in all parts of the body and raises how many calories your body burns at rest.” Mazzucco says. She recommends finding a balance between cardio and strength training so that you not only target all parts of your body, but also so that you don’t become bored with your exercise regimen. Boredom makes it easy to stop working out altogether.
Weight loss can feel incredibly complicated when you are just starting out. However, the key is to keep it simple. Staying hydrated, building your strength, and finding ways to exercise that you will enjoy (and do consistently), are the best ways to optimize calorie burn through movement.
