Is it possible to burn calories without exercising?

Can you burn calories without exercising is a question often asked in relation to weight loss. The answer is yes, your body burns calories even when you are sleeping.

This is when we are introduced to the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) which refers to the number of calories that your body burns while performing basic life-sustaining functions such as circulation of your blood, breathing, cell production, nutrient processing, protein synthesis, and ion transport.

Your BMR is interchangeable with your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR). While the two are similar, there is a slight difference which would further help you understand how you are burning calories even when you are just sitting down.

RMR refers to the calories that you burn while your body is at rest like in the morning before you eat or before exercising and after a night's sleep.

And, this is why getting a good night's sleep of between seven to nine hours is important. Not only that, it is also important to eat and sleep early. This, because studies show that your body's ability to burn calories is decreased when you eat dinner late and when you sleep late.

Hannah Richards, a registered nutritionist who authored The Best Possible You, told the Daily Express that drinking water as soon as you wake up and eating one hour later can boost your metabolism. It makes you feel full and eat less.

You can also burn calories by just fidgeting. By just jiggling your leg, tapping your foot or twirling a pen, you can already burn calories.

Another way you can burn calories without intentionally doing exercise is when you decide to take the stairs instead of taking the elevator or the escalator, parking at the far end so you can walk farther to get to your destination when taking calls you can lift light weights or maybe pace around or walk briskly than you normally do, and a whole lot more.

While a healthy diet and regular exercise are important in a weight loss plan, little things like those listed above can add up to your target goal.