Weight loss secrets: 7 unusual ways to burn calories

Weight loss isn’t just about adopting new routines and rigorous workouts, its secret also lies in simple everyday habits and seemingly insignificant movements that can give us an edge in weight management. For instance who would have thought that cold exposure can help melt away that stubborn fat or an inconsequential action like tapping your foot can shed some calories. Even a simple act of chewing a gum can help you burn those calories even when you are sitting leisurely. Guess what? Laughing it out with your friends can support your weight loss efforts too.
Here are 7 unusual but science-backed ways people can burn calories:

1. Expose your body to extreme cold

This may seem unbelievable but it’s actually true. Exposing your body to extreme cold for just five minutes can boost calorie burn. The cold prompts your body to work harder to maintain its core temperature, increasing energy expenditure. According to a study published in journal PLOS ONE on diet-induced obese (DIO) mice, it was found that intermittent cold exposure can help activate metabolism and brown adipose tissue (BAT). The findings suggest that such exposure to cold can transiently boost metabolism and glucose regulation, aiding in weight loss.

2. Laugh for 10-15 minutes

Too lazy to work out? Laughing it out loud for 10-15 minutes can give you some advantage when it comes to shedding pounds, as per science. Turns out laughter isn’t just the best medicine, but also an effective calorie burner. A study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that 10-15 minutes of genuine laughter can increase energy expenditure by 10-20%, which means you can burn around 10-40 calories per session.

3. Tap your foot

Sitting and waiting for your turn looks like a wastage of time. Isn’t it? But even simple movements during this time like tapping your foot or shifting in your seat can help you shed a surprising amount of calories. A study in Science revealed that fidgeting can increase non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) and one can burn up to 300 calories daily by actively fidgeting.

4. Drink ice water

Drinking water, particularly when it’s chilled can stimulate thermogenesis, or heat production, in the body. The body has to expend energy to warm the fluid to body temperature, and the more energy expended by your body, the faster your metabolism runs. According to a study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, this can slightly boost your metabolism. One can burn around 17 calories per glass of ice water.

5. Eat chewing gum

Chewing gum isn’t just fun or a breath freshener, but can also help burn calories. A study published in Physiology & Behavior, it was found that chewing gum increases heart rate and energy expenditure. According to the University of Rhode Island, people consumed fewer calories at lunch after a one-hour session of chewing gum in the morning.

6. Stand instead of sitting

Standing instead of sitting can help you burn more calories. No surprise that standing desks are getting popular. Research in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology shows that standing instead of sitting for six hours a day can lead to significant calorie burn.

7. Take a cold shower

This works in a similar way of cold exposure. Cold showers activate brown fat, a type of fat that burns calories to generate heat. A study published in Cell Metabolism shows that this can significantly boost metabolism.
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