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Excercise in the home and not just at gym

shrkntz said: "[b][size=1][color=black]Whole new outlook on what you can do at home for a workout.[/color][/size][/b] [b][color=#ff6600][/color][/b] [b][color=#ff6600]Q: Do housecleaning and yard work burn calories? Which chores burn the most?[/color][/b] [b]A:[/b] There's a misconception out there that it's not exercise unless you're at the gym wearing tight spandex and trotting along on the treadmill. Well I'm here to tell you that's simply not the case. Activities of daily living can provide health and fitness benefits too. But it depends on what activities you're doing, how hard, how long, and how often. Pushing the vacuum and scrubbing dishes, windows, floors, and tubs can all turn on the sweat pumps. It's difficult to state exactly how many calories you'll burn, since there is no standardised housecleaning program. I've heard conservative estimates that you could burn anywhere from 100 to 300 calories per hour, perhaps even more depending on the intensity. In order to really see results, though, you'd have to scrub and vacuum several times per week! Any volunteers? Yard work, on the other hand, takes it to another level. Get out there and push the lawnmower. And I don't mean the modern gas-powered variety. I mean the good old-fashioned mechanical kind where the blades only cut when you're pushing. Rake leaves in the fall or shovel snow in the winter. Get out in the garden. Hauling bags of compost or fertiliser will work your legs, hips, back, shoulders, and arms. If you have been sedentary, check with your doctor before starting an exercise program. And as with all activities, it's a good idea to engage in a warm up before starting. I suggest a five to 10 minute walk around the neighbourhood to limber up your muscles and joints. Always observe proper lifting technique. Bend at the knees and lift with your legs, not your back. Be sure to exhale as you lift, but do not strain while holding your breath. And don't forget to wear sunscreen!"

helplesscase said: "Interesting...."

Qian said: "That's a great point. Because my wife works nights, i try to do alot of the housework so that she can play with the kids during the day. So after the kids go to sleep, i vacuum and sweep and fold clothes and try to do whatever i can to help out. I'll tell you what, sometimes I get a better sweat, and muscle burn from doing those things than excercising. In fact if I spend all day cleaning, or working in the yard, I don't do my workout for the day, just because it would end up being too much. I have a lot of respect for stay at home moms. WOOT to ya'll."