Diet & Fitness 

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10 ways to burn an extra 100 calories

Every little bit counts when it comes to exercise. Check out these quick and easy ways to burn a few more calories.

In modern society it's just too easy to be inactive. We drive everywhere, sit down all day, take lifts and, thanks to the Internet, we don't even have to leave the house to shop.

Remember when you were a kid and your parents made you stay inside. In those days, staying in meant boredom. It was much more exciting running around with your friends. Now the home is anything but boring: there are countless TV channels and computer games, and endless hours of surfing to be done. These are all great fun, but they can lead to a very sedentary lifestyle.

It's hardly surprising then that obesity rates amongst children and adults have reached an all-time high in this country: it's estimated that 1,000 people become officially obese every day.

But getting fit doesn't have to mean hours in the gym. There are lots of ways to burn extra calories each day, and the more you do the more you burn. This handy guide should give you some ideas.

How to burn an extra 100 calories:

Cycling (10 minutes). If you have a bicycle, just ten minutes' steady cycling will burn off 100 calories. If you also have kids, it's a great excuse to get everyone out into the fresh air together. Cycling will strengthening your legs and heart.

Video workout (10 to 15 minutes).Find yourself a fitness video you enjoy and give yourself a 10- to 15-minute workout four or five times a week. Not only will this burn some extra calories, it will help you mentally by giving you some time away from your daily routine.

Walking (15 minutes). It's the easiest and simplest exercise known to man. Aim to increase the amount of walking you do to at least one day a week. Walk to work one day if it's not too far, or park the car/get off the bus earlier than usual and get moving. Fifteen minutes' brisk walking will burn at least 100 calories.

Skipping (15 minutes). Skipping ropes are cheap and lightweight, and they can be used pretty much anywhere. Make sure you have a good pair of cross trainers and that you stretch your leg muscles, especially your calves, before and after each session. Not only does skipping work the heart and lungs, your legs and upper body get a great workout too. Fifteen minutes' exercise will burn 100 calories or more. You may have to start in bursts of two to three minutes, but you will be surprised how quickly your body adapts.

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