5 Time-Wasters That Burn Calories

Actor Pete Postlethwaite once said: "I exercise every morning without fail. One eyelid goes up and the other follows." That quote may seem nonsensical, but the sentiment actually makes some sense.

Take a closer look at your daily routine, and you'll find plenty of opportunities for easy calorie-burning activities—no gym required. Or simply follow our cheat sheet to give your metabolism and your health an instant boost.

1. Walk, walk, walk. It's a no-brainer that can't be stressed enough. Experts recommend taking 10,000 steps a day, so the next time you go shopping, park your car farther away from the entrance. In the office, visit your colleagues from different departments instead of messaging or phoning them. And always take the stairs instead of the elevator.

2. Do a housework workout. Whenever you have to do those nagging chores, do them with some pizzazz. Grab your iPod or turn on the radio, and clean along to the music. You'll work at a faster pace and burn more calories, and your chores will be done before you know it.

3. Eat breakfast. It may seem counterintuitive, but experts believe that skipping breakfast actually encourages obesity. Part of the reason, according to the American Diabetic Association, may be that eating breakfast helps speed up your metabolism.

4. Drink water. Because sodas are full of sugar and empty calories, it takes a long time to burn them off. Drinking at least eight glasses of water a day, in contrast, has no calories, makes you feel full, and boosts your metabolism.

5. Turn down the heat. Do this during the winter, especially at night, and you'll burn more calories. In the summer, turn on the air-conditioning. A colder environment forces your body to produce more heat, helping you to burn more calories.