While it's been proven that burning calories is not the only way to lose weight, it can't hurt. And if there's a way to blithely burn calories throughout the day without deviating from your usual routine, that's even better. I'm very much a lazy-girl wellness-hacks kind of person—if it's easy, feels good, and doesn't cost money, I'm in. I'm thinking you probably feel the same way.
So in order to figure out the best way to wake up, work, commute, and go to sleep—all the while encouraging the most caloric burn—I tapped Amy Rosoff Davis, a fitness expert and wellness guru who also happened to travel the world with Selena Gomez. She transformed Gomez's body, and now I'm ready for her to take on mine—and, if you're game, yours too.
Keep reading for Davis's easy-to-understand, super-helpful tricks to whittling down your waistline without ruining your life.
#1 Get more Z's
"Believe it or not, sleep helps your metabolism. When you're sleep deprived, your blood sugar is lower, which sends false signals to the brain that you are hungrier than you actually are," says Davis. "Plus, when you are tired, you don't always make the best food choices. Sleep time is when your body rests and repairs and performs lots of mandatory functions for your overall health and well-being."
#2 Eat the whole egg
"The egg white fad is OVER. You need that yolk! Not only does it taste better, but all the nutrients you need are in that divine little yellow center," says Davis "The yolk contains many metabolism-stoking nutrients, including fat-soluble vitamins, essential fatty acids and—most significantly—choline, a powerful compound that attacks the gene mechanism that triggers your body to store fat around your liver. Worried about cholesterol? Don't be. New studies show that moderate consumption of two whole eggs a day has no negative effect on a person's fat profile—in fact, it may actually improve it."
#3 Sweat (while lying down)
"Infrared sweating has a vast range of benefits. From your skin to your organs and even your metabolism. Not only does infrared sweating burn as many calories as a Spin class, but it also revs your metabolic rate and helps your body work more efficiently," says Davis. "Within weeks of regular infrared sweating, you will notice a difference in your jeans."
#4 Get that Salmon in
"Of all the delicious omega-3 fish out there, salmon is the best for your metabolism. The omega-3s balance blood sugar and reduce inflammation, which helps regulate metabolism," says Davis. "The fishy fatty acids may also help reduce resistance to the hormone leptin, which has been linked to how fast fat is burned."
#5 Drink Oolong tea
"This antioxidant-rich, delicious traditional Chinese tea not only helps keep cholesterol levels in check and aids digestion, but it can also help with burning calories," says Davis. "Like green tea, oolong is packed with catechins, which improve fat oxidation and thermogenesis—your body's production of energy, or heat from digestion. A study in the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine found that participants who regularly sipped oolong tea lost six pounds over the course of the six-week time period."
#6 Enjoy Avocados
"Avocados aren't just good for your skin; they contain metabolism-enhancing monounsaturated fat. They are also packed with fiber and free radical–killing antioxidants. Free radicals are destructive rogue oxygen molecules—natural byproducts of metabolism—that trigger various chain reactions in the body that destroy cells and DNA, causing all kinds of health problems. Plus, avocados make you feel full longer and taste delicious."
#7 Work out in Intervals
"Interval training is great for your waistline," says Davis. "Not only will you get a harder workout and better sweat (which burns more calories than a steady workout), but it also boosts your metabolism, as it makes your cell powerhouses work harder. You'll burn more throughout the day too—not just during your workout. Even just 30-second intervals of pushing yourself can make a difference. Try doing a 30-minute workout with 30-second intervals every three to four minutes."
#8 Drink Lemon Water
"Sipping on refreshing lemon water helps you shed pounds! When you drink water, your body does something called thermogenesis, wherein the body must burn calories to warm the water. Lemons contain pectin (a type of fiber commonly found in fruit), which helps you feel full longer. Feeling satisfied will help you chow down on less throughout the day. Plus, when you are dehydrated, you are more prone to make bad food choices, feel fatigued, and be in a bad mood. Drinking water also helps regulate the whole body and is good for your skin and organs. Lemon water also helps your skin (by fighting free radicals and producing collagen), provides vitamin C (which is vital for your immune system and skin), and aids in digestion and detoxification. I mean, what's not to like?"
Next up, read about how I completely changed my body in only three months.
This post was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in the place of advice of your physician or other medical professionals. You should always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first with any health-related questions.
