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Here’s how to burn kilojoules with everyday activities Let’s face it, there are some months when getting to the gym can be a challenge for even the most resolute of us. But gym-time isn’t the only way to stay in shape… Now you can tone up and trim down without major effort. The more activity you get throughout the day, the more kilojoules you’ll burn.

Fitness and lifestyle coach, Tanya Wyatt, says: “It is more important to be regularly active (daily) in a less formal way, than it is to do set exercise sessions a few times a week. As humans, we are designed to move regularly throughout the day and we are most able to achieve good health in this way (as well as being cautious about dietary intake, of course).” Gardening, walking the dog, taking the stairs instead of the lifts/escalators, and parking further away from the shopping mall entrance are all good ways to get some passive exercise in. Wyatt suggests trying to find as many ways to move your body as you can — every day.

Here are a few ideas to start you off: 15 minutes of sex (280kJ) = an 8-minute run at fast pace. Which would you rather do? 30 minutes gardening (616kJ) = 15 minutes of squash. Digging, weeding, clearing and planting all add up. Don’t forget to use your legs and not your back for lifting, to prevent injury. And add another 986kJ for spending an hour raking up those winter leaves! 15-minute walk home with 7kg of groceries (288kJ) = 10 minutes on the rowing machine. 1 hour of DIY at home (1111kJ)= 90 minutes of golf

.Painting and decorating will also work your arm and shoulder muscles.

1 hour dancing (1200kJ) = a fast 30-minute cycle. Anywhere will do. Just draw the curtains if you’re going to bounce around your living room, to avoid curious stares from your neighbours.

2 hours housework (1730kJ) = a 60-minute step class. One of the best accidental exercises around, and one with the most rewards. Just remember to change arms every now and again to avoid one getting all the weight-bearing benefit. Singe another 1358kJ per hour by scrubbing the floors.

30 minutes in the kitchen preparing and cooking a meal (309kJ) = 15 minutes of swimming. 1 hour playing the piano (618kJ) = a 20-minute hike with a 5kg load. 1 hour walk to work at a brisk pace (1200kJ) = 40 minutes playing tennis…and imagine how good you’ll feel and how much you’ll save on petrol! Buy yourself a bunch of flowers as a treat on Friday, when you’ve walked each day of the week.

1 hour thinking/typing (560kJ) = 15 minutes of moderate-intensity weight training. The brain weighs only two percent of your total body weight, but accounts for 20 percent of your energy usage. 10 minutes walking up stairs (279kJ) = 5 minutes skipping boxer-style. 1.5 hours childcare (1333kJ) = 40 minutes on the treadmill. Any woman with a small child will know just how taxing all the running around, playing, cleaning up, feeding, changing and entertaining can be! Burn more… Your kJ burn during passive activities can be accelerated by fine-tuning your metabolism.

Our metabolisms all run (like engines) at different rates, depending on: age, body type, fitness level, genetics and weight. A good fitness level and regular exercise speeds up the metabolism, which then burns more kJ. *kJ burn is calculated on a 65kg woman. These comparisons are made only in terms of kJ burn, not cardiovascular or other health and fitness benefits

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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – THE LAZY GIRL’S GUIDE TO EXERCISE