Double-Duty Exercise Opportunities

Use this simple plan to sneak some calorie-burning intensity into the chores you're already doing.

Pick Up the Pace 

The key to turning any household task into exercise is to pick up the pace or increase intensity and sustain it for as long as comfortably possible without taking a break.

So if you have to clean the floors, throw on some upbeat music, and put some major muscle behind your mopping. And set yourself a goal to see if you can finish within a certain time limit. This will help you keep the activity intense enough to count it as exercise.

Get Creative

Some activities, such as weeding or raking, already require a high level of energy. But turning up the burn on other less intense activities, like washing dishes or dusting, may require a little more ingenuity.

You know how tough it can be to find time to work out. Jam-packed schedules and never-ending chores don't seem to leave much time for taking care of yourself. But a hectic life is no reason to forgo your daily workout. Especially since the benefits of moving your body are enormous. With a little creativity, you can make exercise part of your routine no matter how long your to-do list is.

Try these three creative ways to turn everyday chores into a workout. Adding these boosters could help you burn up to 180 extra calories per half hour of activity.
 

Dirty Dish Dips

Don't let a mountain of dishes prevent you from working out when you could take care of both at the same time. Start the dishes, and then every few minutes, stop to do some dirty dish dips:

• Areas worked: chest, arms.
• Starting position: Face the sink, hands on the edge of the countertop, arms straight; position feet slightly farther than arms-length away from the counter so that your body is at a slight angle.
• Action: Without bending at your waist, slowly bend your elbows and lower your chest toward the counter. Dip your chest toward the counter as far as comfortably possible before returning to your starting position. Repeat 5 to 10 times.
• Tip: Make sure the counter and your hands are dry and you're wearing shoes that won't slip.