Making Household Chores 'Count' when
Losing Weight
You are a busy mom, juggling numerous responsibilities such
as housework, child-care, cooking, laundry and more. There
is not a moment to spare. How on earth can you still squeeze
a workout into your hectic day? Do not despair! Fortunately
there is a way to make ordinary household chores count in
the battle against the bulge.
Here are some fantastic ways to get lean as you clean:
1. If you live in a split-level house, take the stairs two
at a time. This is a great way to get your heart pumping.
2. Divide the laundry into smaller piles when you are putting
it away. In this way you will increase the number of trips
you have to make to and fro and this will help to burn more
calories.
3. Intersperse chores with some spot toning exercises. For
example, iron for ten minutes, then do 20 abdominal crunches,
iron for another ten minutes then do 20 lunges and so on.
4. Vacuum/mop/sweep to music that has a lively beat. Do the
task vigorously and work up a sweat.
5. Walk as fast as you can to take out the garbage, clean
the yard or bring in the groceries.
6. Use the shopping bags filled with heavy groceries as weights.
Do bicep curls with them as you bring them into the house.
7. Use cans as light weights and do a few strength training
exercises as you pack them away.
8. Wear a pedometer and make it your goal to take 10,000
steps daily.
9. Try to make the bed as fast as possible. Time yourself
and try to get faster each time.
10. If a store is within walking distance walk there daily
to purchase your essential daily items.
Let us take a look at just how many calories you can burn
doing your routine housework. Listed below is the approximate
number of calories burned per minute by middle-aged women
who perform these activities. Calculate how long you do each
task to determine the total number of calories you burn. If
you want to pump up the intensity, throw in some jumping jacks,
squats, lunges and abdominal crunches. Before you know it
you will be getting lean as your house is getting clean.
Changing bed sheets: 4 calories a minute
Mop floor: 3.5-4 calories a minute
Wash floor on hands and knees: 4-4.5 calories a minute
Sweep floor: 3.5-4 calories a minute
Vacuum Carpet: 3.5-4 calories a minute
Ironing: 2.4 calories a minute
Carrying laundry basket up a flight of stairs: 3.7 calories
a minute
Washing dishes: 2.3 calories a minute
Unpacking groceries: 3-3.5 calories a minute
You do not have any excuse for staying unfit a moment longer.
Start getting lean as you clean!
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Author: Eric Choong
Please visit my website at: http://www.health-beauty-care.com
(You are granted the right to reprint this article but the
title
and content must remain unchanged and the authors name
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