5 Everyday Activities That Can Burn Calories (Almost) Like A Workout
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!
Member Comments
by claudius753 on May 22, 2008 at 3:42 PM
These are some great ideas to easily boost daily calorie burn. Especially easy to work into your everyday routine is the suggestion to park as far away as possible and walk to your destination and climbing the stairs instead of using the elevator in buildings.
by ron6 on June 17, 2008 at 8:13 AM
I agree with this. Staying physically active in many ways counts.
by strayjam on June 17, 2008 at 4:34 PM
I am extremely motivated to go clean my house now!
by GraceLazenby on June 18, 2008 at 2:25 PM
So glad that you like the article.. These are just a few great way to burn off those extra few calories without having to go to the gym. Every calorie counts!!
Best,
Grace Lazenby
Fitness Expert
by lexi1975 on June 22, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Great article!! I've saved it to my favorites.
by Dead on June 22, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Hah! I love how simple these tips were. I don't think many people realize how easy it is to slip a little exercise into everyday activities.
And I had little dance breaks to myself every before I read this article! It's a good way to lighten your mood as well!
by poet70 on June 29, 2008 at 10:11 PM
I agree. Dancing is great way to move and lift a mood.
by quinndaly on June 24, 2008 at 10:18 AM
As a mom, I throw on some tunes (50 beebop) and dance with my daughter for a good half hour - great workout and we have so much fun!!
by jhammondjj on June 24, 2008 at 8:30 PM
I am not motivated to do anything today. However, I took the challedge so I am going out to walk althought
it is almost midnight. Here I go (right after I drop the laundry in the washer)
by COUTINHO on August 6, 2008 at 7:44 AM
I agree...dancing is a great way to exercise and work out some of that stress of the day as well....I love it!
by diamondwhite on August 18, 2008 at 11:42 AM
nice!
by Bottombracket on September 15, 2008 at 12:31 AM
Hello Quinndaly, I would be interested in learning to dance to Bebop, it must be very difficult with all the time changes, soloing and comping! I'm just trying to imagine keeping up with Charles Mingus's bass on Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting...far out daddyo!....
by pgee on December 23, 2008 at 8:15 AM
These are great tips! I love to play loud music and get into the beat when I have to stay in to clean house and I use the stairs everyday at work, it's a lot faster than waiting on the elevator too.
by mariposasola1 on December 23, 2008 at 10:59 AM
HAHA! I thought I was reading a blog about ME. lol. I do allllll of these, EVERY day. haha. great :)
by mariposasola1 on December 23, 2008 at 10:59 AM
HAHA! I thought I was reading a blog about ME. lol. I do allllll of these, EVERY day. haha. great :)
by jadireborn on January 8, 2009 at 5:36 AM
Its so true, I clean house every other day now with music! SO not only am I dancing and cleaning. If I have nothing to do, walking the mall for a couple of hours browsing is great.
by mahoneys1 on February 20, 2009 at 10:57 AM
I enjoy all of these----I am glad people are realistic when we talk about these things...done too many of those fad things!!!
by emily225 on March 5, 2009 at 12:56 PM
You can also jump rope and hula hoop. I do these at home. Thinking about bringing my jump rope to work...I don't think anyone would mind. Ha ha!
by TickledPinkTeri on April 9, 2009 at 7:42 PM
Hi How do I log in physical therapy for excercises in My Plate?
Thanks
by scootermamma42 on April 13, 2009 at 8:09 PM
I have a long haired dog and have added shop vaccuming the dog once a week for ten minutes after brushing all 140 lbs. for 20 minutes. It seemed to please him as well as give me an arm work out and there seems to be less hair around the house too!
by AmandaLauren on April 14, 2009 at 9:12 AM
I enjoy all of the above! I shopped for 3 hours yesterday and was pooped after it. Def burns some calories! Adding on, we clean every other weekend (town home) and man is it a workout, plus it makes you feel good to see a "sparkling" home accomplished by your own little hands! ~Amanda :)
by macavity88 on April 14, 2009 at 9:24 AM
I put a treadmill in my office. I walk about 2-4 miles a day (depending on how much I am in the office) at 1 mph while typing, reading, talking on the phone and doing all other office tasks. When I am not walking I am standing. I probably spend less than 1 hour a day seated at work. It has helped my back and I dropped 11 pounds in the 2 months after putting it in.
by shonofear on April 14, 2009 at 8:07 PM
cool another fellow treadmill desk worker. just in case you dont know, theres a lot of us over at />
http://officewalkers.com/ />
cheers
http://officewalkers.ning.com/
by Sthomson09 on April 14, 2009 at 9:39 AM
They need to add playing the Wii fit to this!
by strong62 on April 14, 2009 at 4:34 PM
All I can say is that I'm so happy I joined this site today! I've learned so much already.
Best wishes to all!
by Sexpotforever on April 14, 2009 at 10:00 PM
I just joined outta nowhere tonight... I am glad I did. This is looking like an easy & fun way to help me count my calories and more! I will be exploring a lot more tomorrow... :)
by airaly on April 14, 2009 at 11:07 PM
I just joined this site today, greetings everyone.
by mackman0069 on April 16, 2009 at 10:56 PM
bike to work. i do 20 miles to work and 20 miles back home. its awesome.
by TechKat on April 17, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Wow, that's amazing! I used to never get exercise and I rode my bike six miles one time and was really happy with myself. What you do is awesome!