Adding more physical activity to your lifestyle increases the number of calories you burn and will not only speed your weight loss efforts, but give you an energy boost that will leave you feeling and looking great.

 
Calories are important - if you want to lose weight, you have to burn more calories than you consume, roughly 500 per day. Nothing shifts excess fat better than regular heartbeat-raising (cardio) exercise, but even small changes can help make a difference to your overall fitness and health and increase the number of calories you burn each day.
 
All physical activity burns calories, even activities like standing, sitting and sleeping. The more vigorous activity, the more calories burned. Here are some simple tips to work in to your  everyday life to help burn extra calories:
  • If you take public transport to work, jump off one stop early and walk the rest of the way
  • Do some 'window shopping' in your lunch break - brisk walking can burn up to 250 calories per hour
  • You and your colleagues could go and take a walk together during lunch break! You can combine the talking and exercising in one! 
  • Use the stairs instead of lifts and escalators, do this on a daily basis and the calories used all add up. You must, for the rest of your life, forget that lifts were ever invented! 
  • Park further away from your destination and walk that little bit extra
  • Take "walking breaks" instead of coffee breaks in order to get your body moving during the day
  • Go for a walk, bike ride, roller blade, or play pool instead of going out to dinner or sitting in the pub
  • Play with your kids for at least fifteen minutes every day
  • Do leg exercises or some sit ups whilst watching TV
  • Stop putting off that pile of ironing - an hour's worth of ironing burns up to 110 calories!
  • DANCE! Dancing is a very fun way to burn those calories! Go crazy dancing to your favourite song and see those pounds melting away!
  • If you have the opportunity to do some exercise just after dinner, that’s better for your metabolism. So 15 min of walking or cycling during lunch break are healthy for body and soul!
  • If you decide to go to the gym or take a fitness class, make sure you like what you’re doing!