How to Burn More Calories, Even When You’re Not at the Gym

Most of us have to work hard to burn calories and stay fit, especially as we get older. We have to watch what we eat and get regular exercise, and it is not always easy! As an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon in Bethesda and Fairfax, I realize that most individuals could use a little help staying in shape. Although I cannot be in the gym with you while you are working out, I can offer a few ways that you might be able to burn more calories, even when you are not at the gym.

Work out in the Morning

Studies have shown that individuals who exercise in the a.m. maintain an elevated metabolism for several hours after exercising. This means that if you exercise before work, you could still be burning calories while you are at your desk or taking a break by the water cooler. Also, individuals who start their day with a morning workout tend to stick with their fitness plans longer.

Build More Muscle Mass

The more muscle tissue you have, the more calories you burn while exercising — and even while you are at rest. In fact 10 pounds of muscle burns about 50 calories in one day spent at rest compared to 10 pounds of fat, which only burns 20 calories under the same circumstances. What’s the lesson? Build muscle mass today to burn more calories tomorrow.

Drink Green or Black Caffeinated Tea

Consuming caffeine, which is a stimulant, tends to stimulate the metabolism and increase the amount of calories you burn. In addition, consuming caffeine with a meal can increase the calories used during the digestion of that meal.

Don’t Overlook the Importance of Breakfast

Although the correlation between skipping breakfast and gaining weight is not exactly clear, studies have shown that when individuals skip breakfast, they are more likely to consume more calories by the day’s end. Even if the link is not clear, eating a healthy breakfast to give you energy in the morning and wake up your metabolism is never a bad idea.

If You Need More Help

If you eat nutritious meals and perform both cardio and strength-training exercises but are still not seeing the results you want, you might need some extra help. Sometimes, you can be at or near your ideal bodyweight but still have stubborn pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. You may have loose skin that has lost its elasticity or damaged musculature that cannot be toned. When these things occur, surgical intervention may be necessary to produce the aesthetic results you desire.

To schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Joseph Michaels to learn more about liposuction or body contouring procedures, including tummy tuck, please contact Michaels Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery by calling 703.957.8610 (for the Fairfax office) or 301.468.5991 (for the Bethesda office) today.