4 Weird Yet Easy Ways To Lose Weight This Holiday Season

The trick: Make a mental list of all the small things you do daily that could count as exercise-like going up stairs, carrying bags of groceries, and walking your dog.

How it works
: How's this for mind power? In a Harvard study, hotel employees were divided into two groups; one was told that cleaning rooms is good exercise, and the other was not given this info. After four weeks, although none of the staffers had changed their routine, the informed group showed decreases in weight, blood pressure, body fat, waist-to-hip ratio, and body mass index...simply because they now thought they were getting exercise.

Related: Workout Tips From Olympians

The trick: Jog or walk backward.


How it works: Research from Harvard found that you exert more energy when moving in reverse than you do going forward-which means you're burning extra calories. Head to a track or park far from oncoming traffic, and begin slowly, gradually building speed. It's trickier on a treadmill, so be prepared to hop off or reach behind to slam the emergency stop button.

Related: Workout Tips From Celebrity Trainers

The trick: Down one to two servings of caffeine (whether it's coffee, tea, soda, or an energy drink) about 90 minutes before your workout.

How it works: Here's something to buzz about: Caffeine blocks the chemicals in your brain that cause you to feel pooped, which allows you to exercise longer before becoming exhausted, according to a study published in The International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. Now we could get a buzz off of that.

Related: 7 Habits That Are Giving Your Belly Pudge


The trick: Hold the door for a stranger, make a donation to charity, or grab a latte for a coworker during your afternoon coffee run.

How it works: A recent Harvard study found that doing nice things strengthens your willpower and increases physical endurance. That means you're more likely to resist ordering that cupcake, encourage yourself to hit the gym, and work out harder once there.

Related: 10 Things To Do Instead of Dieting


Related: Foods That Melt Flab Away

Read more at Cosmopolitan.com!

Become a fan of Cosmo on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Want More Sex & Love Advice? Subscribe to Cosmo & Save Up to 77%!