5 Morning Habits to Burn More Calories All Day Long

Want to turn your body's fat-burning potential up a notch? Check out these five ways to wake up and up your calorie burn.

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  1. Exercise: That dawn workout doesn't just put a pep in your step; exercising in the morning also helps boost your metabolism. Studies have shown that people who exercise in the morning burn more calories than those who exercise at other times of the day, so lace up your sneaks and greet the sun for an added calorie burn.
  2. Add intensity: Good news for the time-strapped: a recent study found that a simple, intense 2.5-minute burst of exercise can lead to an increased afterburn all day — up to 200 calories' worth, in fact. Need ideas on how to add intensity to your workouts? Here are 10 short exercises that will help you burn extra calories fast.
  3. Don't delay breakfast: Don't skip breakfast just because your day is hectic; eating in the morning helps keep your body at its metabolism-boosting best. Eat a filling breakfast soon after you wake up so your body will be ready to burn energy; try these make-ahead healthy breakfast ideas for grab-and-go mornings.
  4. Muscle up: Overdoing it may still have you upping your cardio, but don't forget to add strength training to your routine as well to build more calorie-burning muscle. Start your day off with this 10-minute muscle-building workout to increase your metabolism and help you look your best.
  5. Midmorning snack: Snacking is a good strategy for maintaining weight, but make sure you choose ones that are filling and healthy. Choose snacks that have fat-burning properties for an extra boost for your metabolism. Pear and cinnamon are a tasty way to burn fat; check out more metabolism-boosting foods here!