I have a confession.
Sometimes I wonder if I didn't work in the fitness field and spend a good amount of time in fitness clubs if I'd ever find the time to get in my own work out. My schedule, like yours I am sure, is often jam-packed from morning to night. There are days I get up so very early just to get in that mind-clearing run before my first meeting.
But there are also days when it looks like this: Computer/coffee time. Travel time. Classes. Errands. Lunch Meeting. Clients. More travel time. (I live in LA so I get to say that twice!) Back on the computer. One last meeting. Where did the day go?
Luckily, I have a few tricks up my sleeve that will help you be more aware of calorie burning activities that you may do every day. On those extra busy days when you'd rather squeeze in a little time with your main squeeze instead of heading to the gym--you can dial up the intensity of these everyday activities and make those calories count.
Here are five everyday activities that burn calories almost like a workout.
1. Walking
Walk everywhere you can. Intentionally just add foot steps to your day. Park as far as you can from any place you need to go and walk in. Maybe you can walk the kids to school. With your cell phone you can walk while you catch up with your Mom on the phone--just ask her to excuse the heavier breathing.
2. Climbing
Climb every step you can. Climbing up stairs is a great calorie burner and will tone up your legs as well. If you can do it safely--on a day you are not in heels--try climbing two stairs at a time. Trust me that you will feel this one. A friend of mine who lives in a high-rise building climbs the stairs for the first handful of floors then simply jumps on the elevator when she's had enough.
3. Clean Your House
Clean your house like you are an Olympic athlete. Vacuuming with intensity can work wonders for those arms and shoulders. Work in a set of lunges each time you have to move from one room to the next. Rather than bending and lifting with your back think about releasing your hips into a squat and maybe isometrically holding that position while you dust your TV set. Don't forget to breathe.
4. Shop
Shop until you are ready to drop. Most grocery stores and malls these days are huge. Here's a shopping mall trick that sounds crazy but works. In between each store in which you browse you must walk at least 500 steps or one full lap of the mall before you enter the next store. Count them out a 100 at a time. Walk briskly ... right past that Cinnabon.
5. Dance
Dance your buns off. I know. I know. Who has time to go dancing? But try building a personal dance break into every day. Find a little space. Crank up your favorite tune (These days I am dancing to the new Madonna track "4 Minutes") and bust a move. It's fun and freeing and it may even motivate you to plan an actual evening to go dancing.
Now walk, climb, clean, shop and dance may not be words you hear too often at the gym but remember: If you increase the intensity or the duration of the physical part of your everyday activities you can make every calorie count!
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