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10 Minutes, Three Times a Day
It Doesn't Have to Be All or Nothing
By Charlene Torkelson, Fitness Expert
Also consider that when counting calories, your weight makes a difference in that number. For example, a man of 185 pounds may burn 250 calories walking his dog for an hour, but if he lost 20 pounds and weighed 165 pounds the calories he burns might go down to 230 calories. So when working out the numbers, take into consideration your height, weight, activity level and what you would normally do during that time frame
If counting isn't for you, simply adding more activity to your day makes a big difference in your fitness level. Climbing stairs, weeding the garden, raking leaves, vacuuming, doing dishes and mowing the lawn all add up to a more active lifestyle. Although household and yard chores are a great way to be more active, you may consider adding activities that are more recreational as well. Shop, play outside with the kids, go to more events – plan more to do during your day, take a class, walk farther after parking your car or join a club that meets during a time you are usually inactive
Here are a few suggestions you may not have thought of leading for a more active lifestyle:
- Walk down to the corner to get the paper or mail each day. Even walking a block or two adds up nicely by the end of the day. After I had my third child, we would all walk my oldest the two blocks to school each day and pick him up after kindergarten was finished. That adds up to a trip of the two blocks times four – a little more than a half a mile. And that begins to add up.
- Some grea upper body workouts include raking leaves, shoveling snow, pulling weeds, lifting the laundry basket, mowing the lawn and vacuuming. You would be surprised how quickly a clean house can add up to a fit body.