14 Easy Ways to Burn More Fat

This is just something that I found online and I thought it was kind of cool and interesting. Here is the website: http://fitbie.msn.com/slideshow/15-easy-ways-burn-more-fat/slide/15

1. Don't diet
The Women's Health Diet isn't about eating less; it's about eating more—more nutrient-dense food, to crowd out the empty calories and keep you full all day. That's important, because restricting food will kill your metabolism. It sends a signal to your body that says, "I'm starving here!" And your body responds by slowing your metabolic rate to hold on to existing energy stores. (Video: See how to calculate perfect portion sizes.)

What's worse, if the food shortage (meaning, your crash diet) continues, you'll begin burning muscle tissue, which just gives your enemy, visceral fat, a greater advantage. Your metabolism slows further, and fat goes on to claim even more territory.

Bust out of your fitness rut!

2. Get to bed earlier
A study in Finland looked at sets of identical twins and discovered that in each set of siblings, the twin who slept less and was under more stress had more visceral fat.

3. Eat more protein
Your body needs protein to maintain lean muscle. In a 2006 article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers argued that the current recommended daily intake for protein, 0.36 grams per pound of body weight, is woefully inadequate for anyone doing resistance training and recommend that women get between 0.54 and 1 gram per pound of body weight. (If you want to lose weight, use your goal body weight as your guide.)

4. Go organic when you can
Canadian researchers report that dieters with the most organochlorines (pollutants from pesticides, which are stored in fat cells) experience a greater-than-normal dip in metabolism as they lose weight, perhaps because the toxins interfere with the energy-burning process. In other words, pesticides make it harder to lose pounds.

Of course, it's not always easy to find—or afford—organic produce. But in general, conventionally grown items that you peel—avocado, grapefruit, bananas—are fine. But choose organic when buying celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, nectarines, sweet bell peppers, spinach, kale and collard greens, cherries, potatoes, and imported grapes; they tend to have the highest levels of pesticides.

5. Get up, stand up
Whether you sit or stand at work may play as big a role in your waistline as your fitness routine. Missouri University researchers discovered that inactivity (4 hours or more) causes a near shut-down of an enzyme that controls fat and cholesterol metabolism. To keep this enzyme active and increase your fat-burning, break up long periods of downtime by standing up—for example, while talking on the phone.

6. Drink cold water
German researchers found that drinking 6 cups of cold water a day (that's 48 ounces) can raise resting metabolism by about 50 calories daily—enough to shed 5 pounds in a year, with essentially zero additional effort. The increase may come from the work it takes to heat the water to body temperature.

7. Eat the heat
It turns out that capsaicin, the compound that gives chile peppers their heat, can also fire up your metabolism. Eating about 1 tablespoon of chopped peppers (red or green) boosts your sympathetic nervous system (responsible for your fight-or-flight response), according to a study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology. The result: a temporary metabolism spike of about 23 percent. Stock up on chile peppers to add to salsas, and keep a jar of red-pepper flakes on hand for topping pizzas, pastas, and stir-fries.

8. Rev up in the morning
Eating breakfast jump-starts your metabolism so it's no accident that those who skip this meal are 4 1⁄2 times as likely to be obese. The heartier your first meal is, the better. In one study published by the American Journal of Epidemiology, volunteers who got 22 to 55 percent of their total calories at breakfast gained only 1.7 pounds on average over 4 years. While those who got zero to 11 percent gained nearly 3 pounds.

9. Fight fat with fiber
Research shows that some fiber can fire up your fat burn by as much as 30 percent. Studies find that those who eat the most fiber gain the least weight over time. Aim for about 25 grams a day—the amount in about three servings each of fruits and vegetables.

10. Eat iron-rich foods
Iron is essential for carrying the oxygen your muscles need to burn fat. Unless you restock your stores, you run the risk of low energy and a sagging metabolism. Shellfish, lean meats, beans, fortified cereals, and spinach are excellent sources.

11. Get more vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for preserving muscle tissue. Get 90 percent of your recommended daily intake (400 IU) in a 3.5-ounce serving of salmon. Other good sources: tuna, fortified milk and cereal, and eggs

12. Drink milk
There's some evidence that calcium deficiency, which is common in many women, may slow metabolism. Research shows that consuming calcium through dairy foods such as fat-free milk and low-fat yogurt may also reduce fat absorption from other foods.

13. Eat watermelon
The amino acid arginine, abundant in watermelon, might promote weight loss, according to the Journal of Nutrition. In a laboratory study, adding this amino acid to the diet of obese mice enhanced the oxidation of fat and glucose. Snack on watermelon and other arginine sources, such as seafood, nuts, and seeds, year-round.

14. Stay hydrated
All of your body's chemical reactions, including your metabolism, depend on water. If you are dehydrated, you may be burning up to 2 percent fewer calories, according to researchers at the University of Utah. Drink at least eight to twelve 8-ounce glasses a day.

Some updates for you!

I have been doing very well with my workouts, and I even started running last week. But, the thing about that is I started doing that when it was strangely warm here. And, of course, we are back to the bitter cold and frozen roads, so I clearly cannot go running outside right now. But, I am sticking to the videos. I do have a treadmill.....but, for some reason it really hurts my knees and ankles, but I think I'll give it a shot any way. Plus, I can go to my parents gym (for free!) and do some elliptical and free weights, etc. I need to do those things. Plus, I can tan there too, and that is something I definitely need to do! But, once the weather starts getting warm again, you can count on me being out there again, running my butt off.

GOOD NEWS: I ONLY HAVE 10 MORE POUNDS TO LOSE..I might end up going another 5 more pounds after that, but we'll see if I need to or not. Kyle says that I shouldn't need to. But, we'll see!

Some other GOOD NEWS: KYLE GOT INTO THE PUBLIC RELATIONS PROGRAM AT BYU!!! HE ONLY HAS 1 YEAR LEFT, HALLELUJAH!! There is an end in sight! hah.

Also, I have been feeling very crafty lately, so I might make some scrap books of some sorts. A quote book with my favorite church sayings, favorite scriptures and good church notes on it. These ideas keep on popping into my mind..and I can't help but wanting to do those things. So, those are some things I will be doing..along with finding a REAL job. gah. It never ends, I swear. So ridiculous.
Anyway, I hope all is well with you!
Brit

My goal for this year: to work out 4-5 times a week. 2-3 of those days will have weights and the other days will be cardio. I am so excited. I lost 10 pounds back in December, so that has really boosted my confidence in this. I have already started working out a couple weeks ago. It was not so good the first week, but I've been really good since! The Crunch: Boot Camp Training (like shown above) is my workout with the weights. It gets my heart pumpin, my body sweatin and my muscles workin! I love it. I do want to expand from that for my weight exercises, but I haven't found one yet. I also have a bunch of other pilates, yoga and cardio workouts, and I love doing them all! This is much better than just running everyday...I have bad knees.

The goal I have with this is not only to get in shape and be fit and strong, but I really want to lose weight. My weight loss goal is about 15 more pounds. I know I can do this!! And I can't wait to actually fulfill my goal! I'll keep you up to date on how things are going.