Burning Calories Around the Clock

One of the best ways to shed a few pounds is to make sure your body is burning calories around the clock. Here are 6 surefire ways to beat the bulge

1 Eat Protein

Protein requires more energy to digest than carbs and fats, meaning you are burning more calories while your body is breaking it down. Try to include a portion (size of your fist) of protein at every meal and as a snack (think cottage cheese instead of chips), and you’ll fire up your metabolism for weight loss results!

2 Milk does a body good

Studies have shown that calcium boosts metabolism. A combination of Calcium in foods and calcium from supplements is your best bet (do not rely solely on a supplement form). The RDA for calcium is 1,200 milligrams a day, or four 1-cup servings of milk.

3 Say yes to fiber

High-fiber foods help regulate blood sugar levels and take longer to digest, which means you burn more calories in the process. Healthy, high-fiber foods to eat throughout the day include beans, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole-grain breads.

4 Green means weight loss

Unlike black tea (the tea-bag kind) and other teas, green tea contains a substance called ECGC that has been proven to significantly boost metabolic rate. Green tea also contains less caffeine than coffee, so you are less likely to get jittery.

5 Alcohol Alert

Pure alcohol contains about 7 calories per gram, packing in nearly twice as many calories as carbohydrates or protein (both contain about 4 calories per gram) and only just under the caloric value for fat (9 calories per gram). This means that if you want to lose weight and reduce excess body fat, alcohol is not your best bet.

With that said there are a number of studies showing that moderate alcohol consumption has a number of health benefits and helps lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. The key is to consume it in moderation.

6 Exercise is a must

To burn maximum calories; you need to have a complete exercise routine that includes cardio, weight-training and core training. Aim for 30-minute exercise sessions that are fun and challenging.

You can go for a run, do a full body circuit workout at your health club or simply go for a swim with your kids. There are many options, the key is to be consistent and make it part of your lifestyle. Visit www.circuit-fit.com for a fitness professional that can help you get on the fast track to weight loss.

About Alex Savva - The Low Carb Grocery's Official Fitness Expert

Alex Savva is a certified Kinesiologist with a degree in Physical and Health Education and is also the fitness expert for urbanmoms.ca. Alex is the founder of CircuitFIT studio and appears regularly on City TV and CP24's Perfect Fit as a fitness expert. You contact Alex at info@circuit-fit.com.