The All-Time Easiest Way to Lose Weight
Here's a pleasant thought for when you are huddled at the bus stop, bracing against the latest round of arctic weather: that bone chilling cold may be actually giving your bikini body a boost. Dutch researchers are proposing an innovative way to drop some extra pounds: turn down the thermostat. In a paper published in the current issue of Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, they point out that public health efforts aimed at discouraging excessive calorie consumption have, for the most part, yielded unsatisfactory results. At the same time, most of us now spend 90% of our day indoors, cozy and warm, and burning fewer calories to regulate our body heat. According to their research, exposure to colder temperatures, could, over time, result in meaningful weight loss.
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While that idea might give you the shivers, especially this during this exceptionally frigid winter, their research shows that being cold boosts metabolism by up to 30%. (And, in fact, they note that actual shivering bumps up metabolic rate fivefold, meaning it burns about 400 calories per hour-more than walking, swimming, or riding a bicycle.) If you are having bad flashbacks to a forced polar bear swim at sleep-away camp, don't worry. The work builds on earlier research from Japan that found when that people spent only two hours per day at a a manageable, albeit chilly, 62 degrees, they began spontaneously shedding fat after six weeks. The authors of the current study say that even lowering the indoor temperature to between 64-66 degrees for a couple hours a day could have a positive impact on weight loss. Furthermore, they found that after spending ten days in colder temperatures, most adults acclimate and no longer feels discomfort-children and seniors have a tougher time adapting.
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In addition to burning calories, the paper points out that lowering indoor temperatures saves energy and money. "Similarly to exercise training, we advocate temperature training," the researchers said in a release. "More-frequent cold exposure alone will not save the world, but is a serious factor to consider in creating a sustainable environment together with a healthy lifestyle."
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While not everybody wants to brave the cold, even for effortless weight loss, the study is part of a growing body of research that shows how small lifestyle changes-not just dieting-can help stave off obesity. Using a standing desk increases energy output by up to 20%, as well as significantly reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Breaking the diet soda habit can reset your taste buds and lead to fewer sugar cravings. Building muscle by adding a few minutes of old school calisthenics like squats and push-ups to your home workout routine can rev up metabolic rate. Even where you eat counts, as researchers have found that noshing in front of the television adds an average of 228 calories to a meal.
And, the ultimate lazy way to watch your weight? Get the proper amount of shut-eye. Many studies have shown that people who are sleep deprived have a higher rate of obesity.
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