5 ways to lose weight sitting down

Among the woes of an average health conscious Pakistani is following an exercise regimen. Especially for desk jobs, individuals may find it challenging to take time out for exercise.

But what if you can shed extra pounds while sitting down? As compiled from the Men’s Health magazine, here are five things that you can do to burn fat when you’re seated. Trust us. It doesn’t get any easier than this.



Drink beetroot juice: Having a shot of beetroot juice after your meal improves circulation and boosts metabolism. Beetroot also lowers cholesterol due to its high fibre content. According to research done by the University of Exeter, beetroot elevates your alertness and makes your workout session, if you plan to have one, 20 per cent more effective.



Eat macadamia nuts: New research has found that macadamias are the most effective snack to maintain a healthy circulatory system. They are also high in protein and a rich source of Vitamin A, iron, protein, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and folic acid, which keeps your blood-sugar level balanced, helping keep the post-meal binging in check.



Lean back: “On your seat’s edge, tense your abs, lean back, lift your feet and hold it for 10 second bursts,” said Joakim Christoffersson, author of Nano Workouts. Portable mini stair-steppers are another seated exercise, which can be easily purchased at a local sports equipment store. These slide easily under your desk and allow you to push the pedals with your feet to mimic a partial stepping motion. In a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2007, participants burnt almost 289 extra calories using these devices.



Pepper your food: Nutritional scientist Christine Bailey said, “If you have to be stuck in a chair all day, you need your metabolism firing as fast it can.” Research conducted at Purdue University found that adding spicy ingredients, such as cayenne pepper, hot peppers or hot sauce to meals can help suppress appetite and even stoke the metabolic rate. The study found that when dieters who didn’t normally eat spicy foods ate food with cayenne pepper, they ate 60 fewer calories at their next meal and burned an extra 10 calories.



Neck-out stress: The stress hormone cortisol may have you worked up, but it can be kicked to the curb by tilting your head back and relaxing for a short while. Research at Boston University found that your neck is a pressure valve. Roll your head 10 times each way to lower your blood cortisol and hunger.

Compiled By: Maria Ahmed

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2014.

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