#16-20

16. Straighten up
“Good posture not only makes you look taller and leaner, but it strengthens your abdominal muscles,” says Brooklyn Decker, the model on the cover of this year’s Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. ~ The Chicago Center for Anti-Aging states that “poor posture sabotages your figure and health… Over time, this will develop into the popular dowager’s hump, double chin, pot belly and sway back. Internally your body will develop varicose veins, pinched nerves, heart and muscle strain.”  Here is a slideshow on posture from the Mayo Clinic that has facts about posture and information about having the correct form.

17. Drink more
Dehydrated people experience a drop in their metabolic rate. Drinking water throughout the day caused metabolic rates to increase by about 30 percent in a German study. The goal: eight cups a day. ~ Another research study conducted at the University of Utah found that those individuals who drank 8-12 glasses of water per day actually burned more calories when they were in a rested state than those individuals who only drank 4 glasses of water per day. This research also found that calorie burning decreased about 2% per day in those individuals who were dehydrated.

18. Beware of sugar
It triggers the body to release insulin, which then either transplants sugar to the cells to be used as energy — or stored as fat, according to Jorge Cruise, author of “The Belly Fat Cure” (Hay House). ~ This article from MSNBC found that Americans consume 22 teaspoons of sugar every day. This is much higher than the recommendations of 6 teaspoons per day for women or approximately 100 calories and 9 teaspoons per day for men or 150 calories.

19. Squat
When you pick up something from the floor, keep your back straight and bend at the knees, not the waist. “This protects your back and tones your legs,” says Peterson. ~ This also helps improve balance and tone surrounding muscles.

20. Chew gum
It burns a few calories — and it keeps you from mindlessly grazing, especially when you’re cooking, says McGee. ~ Chewing gum burns approximately 11 calories per hour. It also helps improve oral health by stimulating saliva production

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