In addition to engaging in a regular, formal exercise program, you also burn calories by simply performing everyday activities such as household chores. However, keep in mind that these activities cannot and should not take the place of more vigorous forms of exercise, but they may still offer some fitness benefits.
Food Shopping and Cooking
Feel good about shopping for and preparing your family's meals because, technically, it is a calorie-burning activity. According to the Harvard Medical School, an individual weighing 125 lbs. expends approximately 105 calories per 1/2 hour food shopping/pushing a shopping cart, while a heavier person weighing 185 lbs. burns roughly 155 calories per 1/2 hour performing the same activity. Preparing dinner/cooking burns fewer calories: about 75 per 1/2 hour for the 125-lb. individual and 111 per 1/2 hour for the individual that weighs 185 lbs.
Child Care
On average, an individual that weighs 125 lbs. expends 105 calories per 1/2 hour bathing and feeding her child, or performing related child care activities. A person weighing 185 lbs. burns more: about 155 calories per 1/2 hour performing the same activities. Carrying and/or playing with children can expend a surprising number of calories per hour. Engaging in light play with your child while standing burns about 165 calories per hour if you weigh 130 lbs., and 229 calories per hour for an individual that weighs 180 lbs. Bump that up to a vigorous play session that involves walking and running, and you may expend almost 300 calories in an hour if you weigh 130 lbs., and just over 400 in an hour if you weigh 180 lbs.
General and Housework
Sleeping, watching TV and reading while seated burns the fewest calories; 19, 23 and 34 per 1/2 hour, respectively, if you weigh 125 lbs.; 28, 33 and 50 per 1/2 hour, respectively, if you weigh 185 lbs. So, no matter what you do, you are constantly expending energy in the form of calories. If you'd like to burn more calories but do not want to miss your favorite TV program, do some moderate housecleaning or housework at the same time. Engaging in light housework for about an hour expends, on average, 165 calories if you weigh 125 lbs. and 244 if you weigh 185 lbs.
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