Burn Calories Without Exercise

Want to know the secret formula for losing weight? The answer is to burn more calories than you consume. It is really that easy. Unfortunately for me (and many others), I love food. I love to cook, try new dishes and have no will power against tasty eats and drinks. Since diets do not really work me, I know the only other side to the weight loss equation is to burn more calories.

Here are some really great tips on how to burn more calories throughout the day without hitting the gym, running or exercising:

• Forget the elevator, take the stairs. I work on the 6th floor of a mid-rise building and gave up elevators altogether. If you don't have to tackle any stairs throughout the day, eat part of your lunch, go for a brisk walk and then come back and finish your lunch.
• Park your car far away. Whether you are going to work, the shopping mall or the grocery store, park your car in the furthest available spot. You will decrease your waistline and the number of dings on your car door.
• Rearrange your furniture. This is a lot cheaper than hiring a decorator and a lot more fun. Aren't you curious to see how your chair, bed or armoire will look in another location? Maybe you want to make your home more feng shui. Moving your furniture around is a great workout and keeps things in your home fresh and exciting. Just remember to lift with your legs, not your back.
• Get active while watching the Television. Are you a fan of "Dancing with the Stars"? Get up and try to replicate their dances (even if you don't have a partner, you can shadow dance). For those who are less adventurous, try doing push-ups, sit-ups, lunges, squats or running in place during the commercial breaks. Better yet, check out Sit and Be Fit. These exercises aren't just for seniors, so get a workout while sitting on your rump.
• Start a garden. With the recent e coli scare in spinach, wouldn't you rather serve your family fruits and veggies that you grew yourself and know where they come from. Growing lettuces, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, squash and eggplants are easy and take up very little space. Many of these can even grow in containers.
• Clean your kitchen and refrigerator. When was the last time you cleaned out your cupboards and fridge. Experts say your fridge should be scrubbed down every 60 days. What a great workout to lift all of those pans, kitchen appliances, canned goods and food and scrub your kitchen clean. You and your family will feel better. Besides, you can take unused kitchen appliances and sell them at a garage sale or donate them and canned goods to a local charity (local children's homes are always looking for kitchen items and canned goods).

There are tons of ways to burn more calories throughout the day: standing instead of sitting, chewing gum, making love, playing tag with your kids, walking up the escalator, drink ice cold water, eat spicy foods, tap your feet and fingers while driving, wash and wax your own car, etc., etc. Stay active and enjoy good food sensibly.