Double-Duty Exercise Opportunities

Adding Up the Minutes

It takes only a few extra minutes to turn a routine chore into a calorie-burning exercise. And those minutes add up toward the RealAge minimum exercise recommendation for optimal health -- at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.

Top 10 household chores for burning calories*

1. Moving furniture               225 calories

2. Scrubbing floors              189 calories

3. Raking leaves                 171 calories

4. Gardening                      162 calories

5. Mowing the lawn             162 calories

6. Washing the car              153 calories

7. Cleaning windows            153 calories

8. Vacuuming                      84 calories

9. Washing dishes               76 calories

10. Doing laundry                 72 calories

*Estimations based on a 150-pound person and 30 minutes of activity

Always supplement your exercise routine with longer bouts of cardiovascular exercise, such as walking, whenever possible. But on days when time is scarce and the to-do list is long, remember that it's important to make exercise a priority. Doing your chores with a little extra energy and vigor is a great way to multitask.

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