We all know we SHOULD be making time for exercise—it’s essential for the maintenance of a healthy body weight, and an important part of any successful weight loss journey. But for those days when there just don’t seem to be enough hours, it’s nice to know that there are lots of ways to sneak in a quick calorie-burn session… and many of them don’t feel like working out at all! Here are 10 of our favourites. Please note that the activity times listed below are based on a 40-year-old woman who is 165cm and 72 kilograms. Calculate your exact times here!
1. Wash the car. Just 30 minutes with the bucket, sponge and hose will burn 100 calories AND get you outside, which helps get our daily dose of Vitamin D from the sun.
2. Retail therapy. Spend 35 minutes walking and window shopping—less if you’re trying on a bunch of stuff!
3. Go play. Whether you’re throwing a Frisbee or kicking the footy, 25 minutes outside with the kids is good for you.
4. Sweat it out. Spend a steamy 15 minutes or so in the sauna, and you’ll literally melt the calories right off.
5. Walk the dog. Nobody loves to help you exercise more than your dog. 25 minutes will make you both happy!
6. Do the dishes. Sure, you can do a LOT of dishes in 40 minutes. But burning extra calories is an excellent reason to volunteer for washing-up duty after your next dinner party or event!
7. Gardening. Attention green thumbs: just 20 minutes of weed-pulling will get to the 100-calorie mark.
8. Dance. Put on your favourite tunes and move your body for 15 minutes—it’s fun, and nobody’s watching!
9. Take the stairs. Next time, hold the elevator! About 15 minutes of stair climbing will burn 100 calories.
10. Get more giggles. According to a study at Vanderbilt University, the average adult burns 1.3 calories per minute with hearty laughter. Of course, you’d have to laugh for 15 minutes straight to burn off just one square of Cadbury’s chocolate —but if a few belly laughs can make your belly even a tiny bit smaller, why not?
