Many workouts are hard-core programs designed to get you in the
shape of your life. But little, easy-to-do things can help make it
easier for you to reach your goal. Consider incorporating some of these
minor lifestyle adjustments into your daily routine to complement your
regular training and efforts in building lean muscle.
Take the stairs.
If you consistently use elevators or escalators to move from one level to the next, you can take advantage of your tiered lifestyle to help you shape up. Using the stairs can help increase the amount of calories you burn on a daily basis. Feel free to go up and down a few extra times too. You may be surprised by how challenging walking stairs can become after only a minute or two. After all, most of us are only used to walking up one flight of stairs here or there.
Eat six meals every day.
If you eat six meals a day, you'll be surprised that you're never hungry and that you're shedding body fat. Every time you eat, it causes your body to burn calories - digestion is a highly active physiological process. So, if you're eating 2,000 calories a day, you'll burn many more calories if you divide them equally into six meals than you will if you divide them into three. In other words, digesting twice as much food at one meal doesn't take twice as many calories. Initiating the process of digestion is where you get the calorie-burning advantage.
Cut the portions.
While this holds true no matter how many meals a day you eat, it's particularly true if you're eating six times a day. Portion management is as crucial as the number of meals you're eating every day. Cut back so that most of your meals are only 300 to 400 calories apiece. This sometimes means that your meals will consist of two foods at a time. Examples of balanced smaller meals include a bagel with cream cheese, a small portion (4 ounces) of chicken breast with a generous serving of a steamed vegetable, or a moderate-size bowl of vegetable beef soup.
If you eat until you're full, you've lost the battle. Always leave the dinner table with a desire to consume more food - but the discipline and foresight to get up and leave.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bernard_Michaels
Take the stairs.
If you consistently use elevators or escalators to move from one level to the next, you can take advantage of your tiered lifestyle to help you shape up. Using the stairs can help increase the amount of calories you burn on a daily basis. Feel free to go up and down a few extra times too. You may be surprised by how challenging walking stairs can become after only a minute or two. After all, most of us are only used to walking up one flight of stairs here or there.
Eat six meals every day.
If you eat six meals a day, you'll be surprised that you're never hungry and that you're shedding body fat. Every time you eat, it causes your body to burn calories - digestion is a highly active physiological process. So, if you're eating 2,000 calories a day, you'll burn many more calories if you divide them equally into six meals than you will if you divide them into three. In other words, digesting twice as much food at one meal doesn't take twice as many calories. Initiating the process of digestion is where you get the calorie-burning advantage.
Cut the portions.
While this holds true no matter how many meals a day you eat, it's particularly true if you're eating six times a day. Portion management is as crucial as the number of meals you're eating every day. Cut back so that most of your meals are only 300 to 400 calories apiece. This sometimes means that your meals will consist of two foods at a time. Examples of balanced smaller meals include a bagel with cream cheese, a small portion (4 ounces) of chicken breast with a generous serving of a steamed vegetable, or a moderate-size bowl of vegetable beef soup.
If you eat until you're full, you've lost the battle. Always leave the dinner table with a desire to consume more food - but the discipline and foresight to get up and leave.