Most individuals want to burn calories quickly, whether to lose weight, improve their fitness, or live a healthy life. Learning to burn calories effectively will help increase metabolism and promote fat burning. Although the calorie-burning process varies among individuals, several methods can hasten calorie expenditure considerably.
This section discusses some of the most efficient and evidence-based methods for burning calories fast.
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1. Do High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
One of the quickest methods of burning calories is High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). It consists of short, high-intensity efforts followed by short recovery periods or low-level exercise. It is remarkably effective because it makes your body work at its highest level for a short time, which burns more calories during exercise.
Research indicates that HIIT can burn more calories in a shorter time than traditional steady-state cardio activities such as running or cycling. A typical HIIT session may include exercises like sprinting, jumping jacks, burpees, or cycling at full capacity, with breaks in between.
2. Incorporate Strength Training into Your Routine
Strength training such as weight training, bodyweight exercises, or resistance training adds lean muscle mass, speeding up your basal metabolic rate (BMR). Muscle tissue burns more calories at rest than fat tissue; therefore, the greater your muscle mass, the higher your daily caloric expenditure.
To gain the most benefits, focus on exercises that work more than one muscle group at a time, such as squats and deadlifts. These are more energy-intensive and, therefore, burn calories too.
3. Try Cardiovascular Exercise
Cardio workouts like running, swimming, cycling, or rowing are classic methods to burn calories quickly. The key to burning more calories with cardio is intensity. The harder you work, the more energy you will expend. For example, running fast will burn significantly more calories than walking.
The length and intensity of your cardio workout will determine the number of calories you burn. Incorporating steady-state and high-intensity cardio into your training can ensure maximum calorie burn.
5. Engage in Activities That Increase NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis)
NEAT refers to the calories burned from activities that are not intentional exercise but are integral to daily life. They include walking back and forth, cleaning the house, cooking, fidgeting, or
standing instead of sitting. While each activity may seem insignificant, it contributes to a notable number of calories burned throughout the day.
You can increase your NEAT by taking the stairs instead of the lift, walking or cycling to nearby places instead of driving, standing at work, or doing other light physical exercises during the daytime.
6. Eat a Protein-Rich Diet
The diet also plays an important part in burning calories rapidly. Eating more protein can boost your metabolism. Protein has a greater thermic effect than fats and carbohydrates since your body uses more calories to digest and metabolize it. This is referred to as the thermic effect of food (TEF).
To maximize calorie burning, have lean sources of protein like chicken, turkey, fish, beans, lentils, tofu, eggs, and Greek yoghurt. Also, have protein-based snacks in between meals so that the metabolism remains high.
7. Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water can also help burn calories more quickly. Research shows that drinking water can temporarily boost metabolism by about 30% for 30 to 40 minutes. This phenomenon is known as water-induced thermogenesis.
Staying hydrated also maximizes physical performance. Dehydration leads to fatigue and makes exercising at a high level more challenging. Drinking water during the day can help sustain calorie burn and overall well-being.
8. Get Enough Sleep
Though seemingly unrelated, sleep is vital to burning calories and losing weight. Disrupted sleep can interfere with hunger-regulating hormones, making the body hungrier and crave food.
On the other hand, uninterrupted sleep ensures that your hormones are balanced and provides your body with the energy it needs to function optimally. Aim for 7-9 hours of good-quality sleep each night in addition to your calorie-burning routine.
9. Consume Green Tea or Caffeine
Certain beverages, such as coffee and green tea, can also boost calorie expenditure. Green tea contains chemicals called catechins, which have been shown to enhance metabolism and promote fat burning. Evidence indicates that consuming 2-4 cups of green tea daily can increase calories burned, especially when combined with exercise.
Similarly, caffeine, which is found in coffee, tea, and certain energy drinks, is a natural stimulant that can temporarily boost metabolism and enhance calorie burning. However, excessive caffeine intake may lead to jitteriness, anxiety, or disturbances in sleep.
Staying committed, maintaining proper form, and gradually challenging your body will help you burn calories efficiently. It will also enable you to build endurance, improve metabolism, and support long-term health. Combining exercise with a balanced diet and adequate rest is key to sustaining results and leading a fit, active lifestyle.