Ready for a calorie-burning hack? You can burn extra calories every day and get stuff done around the house at the same time!
While your body is consistently burning calories throughout the day, it’s easy to forget that doing simple tasks can burn even more! Here is a list of unexpected ways to not only burn calories but to get off the couch and get moving.
Clean!
Not everyone likes to clean, but I guarantee that once you get started, you won’t be able to stop! There’s something so satisfying about having a clean room, kitchen, or bathroom that makes you want to keep going and tackle the next room. Think of things as simple as doing the dishes, vacuuming, putting clothes away, or even folding laundry. You will definitely feel accomplished, and you might even break a sweat!
Gardening
You are guaranteed to get a workout gardening, especially if it’s during the summer. Digging in the dirt gives your arms a great workout, and lifting plants and soil can give you some squat action! Don’t have a garden? Plant one on your porch! With a few minimal tools from a garden store, you can create an herb garden, or just create a pretty floral area for you and your neighbors to look at.
Walk the Dog
This might be obvious, but a lot of people might not see it as exercise – especially if you’re used to just taking the dog out into the yard on a leash. Plan to spend at least 20 minutes taking your dog for a real walk! Take off the flip flops and put on sneakers so you can have good walking form that will allow you to pick up the pace!
Go Shopping
Like, really go shopping. Plan to spend the day at the mall walking around! Think of back to school shopping and get yourself those needed new pants or jacket for winter, or just walk around to see if anything catches your eye. Malls are big, and often time walking to the other side and back could be about half a mile! If you are trying on clothes and walking through stores, even better! Don’t let anyone else carry your bags either. Adding extra weight to your endeavors burns more calories. The same goes for grocery shopping. Don’t let anyone load your groceries into your car, but do it yourself and burn calories!
Take the Stairs
Wherever possible, take the stairs. Whether it’s one flight or twelve, taking the stairs is a great way to give your legs a quick workout and get your heart rate up. You don’t have to walk up all the flights if you aren’t ready, but start with one flight for a week, then go up to two for the second week. As long as you’re trying, that’s what counts.
Meal Prep for the Week
You might not be walking around that much, but you are definitely giving your arms a workout. Between chopping, lifting pots and pans, packing meals up, and doing the dishes, you’re definitely moving a lot more than you think you are. Just be careful not to pick at the food too much but instead focus on moving quickly and getting things put away!
Stretch
So you’re not physically moving when you’re stretching, but you are doing a great service to your body! Whether you stand or sit all day for work, stretching at the end of the day is a great way to loosen your muscles and alleviate tightness and soreness. You can do basic stretches, some yoga poses, or even use a foam roll! Whatever you do, hold stretches for at least twenty seconds to get the full benefit.
Sightseeing
Be a tourist in your own town! Not only might you see some things you never knew existed, but it will get you walking around and exploring. Make it a fun activity and create a scavenger hunt with friends that sends you all over! The reward? All the awesome pictures you’ll have and the knowledge that you let your body do what it was meant to do: MOVE!
