7 Simple Ways to Burn More Calories During the Holiday Shopping Season

Now we can shop while we drop inches and  burn calories! During the holiday season we all find ourselves a little short on time (and money) with a long gift list that usually includes hours of shopping. Although this is not my preferred method of exercising, we can make the most of this time.  Before we get to the quick tips the first thing to think about is wearing the correct shoes. It is not the time to make a fashion a statement…wearing uncomfortable shoes could sack your plan before it gets started.  So here are 7 quick and easy tips to help you burn extra calories:

* Park further away from the mall or store.

Not only will this help you burn calories but it will also keep you from driving around the parking lot for 20 minutes waiting for a closer spot!

* Take the stairs and not the elevator or escalator.

* While waiting in the checkout line, do some calf raises, bag squats, leg raises etc…

* Power walk between stores. 

* Walk around the mall for about 20-30 minutes.

At the half-way point through your shopping list, put your bags in the car and make the mall your indoor track ( walking only please no running, I would imagine that would be dangerous and could get you arrested) Hahaha!

* Speed walk or run pass the cinnamon bun or pretzel store!   Never go to the mall on an empty stomach and drink plenty of water. Eat before or wait until after-No Mall Food!

No Excuses Only Results!

Active Rest-Make Every Second Count

What do you do in between sets? Do you stand around, flop to the ground or rush to take a seat?  While that may allow you to get a quick breather before the next exercise, there is a more effective  and efficient way to use that time! Get the most from every precious moment of your workout by using Active Rest.  Active Rest aka Active Recovery  is a simple concept that will help to improve your workouts and stamina. It is low intensity exercise  performed  during  the “rest” periods of a workout, typically these simple exercises or movements are done between sets at 30- 45 second  intervals. This keeps your heart rate elevated for longer periods of your workout which in turn makes your body a fat burner machine and helps you to burn more calories!  Some of my favorite active rest exercises are hula hooping, stretching, sit-ups, push-ups, leg raises, and jumping jacks. * I must note that hula hooping is the funniest, especially when done in a group setting…you will crack yourself up and keep your heart rate up at the same time! Implement one or several of these over the next few weeks and you are sure to see and feel a difference.  No Excuses, Just Results!