It might not sound very exciting but
spending just 30 minutes on a household
chore could burn anything from 70
to 225 calories. On top of this you will
have sparkling floors and dust-free
shelves, which can’t be bad. To get you
started here is a list of detailing everyday
household jobs and how many calories
each burn in a 30 minute period.
Vacuuming: We’re not talking a quick wiz
round but a thorough go round and that
includes behind the sofa. Lifting chairs and
other furniture to vacuum behind will soon
have your pulse rate soaring. Vacuuming the
stairs will also work your upper body as you
lift the vacuum cleaner to each new step.
How many calories? A 30 minute session
of thorough vacuuming will burn off
between 75 and 125 calories, depending
how vigorous you are.
Cooking: Not only is cooking from scratch
a healthier option than pre-packaged
ready meals but 30 minutes of stirring,
mashing, peeling and chopping will help
you keep fit too. It is a win-win situation!
Again the amount of calories you will burn
depends on the amount of elbow grease
you are able to put in.
How many calories? You can expect to
burn 40 or 50 calories in 30 minutes.
Lawn mowing: It is the chore we all
like to put off but the sooner you tackle
that rapidly growing jungle in your back
garden, the sooner you will burn off some
serious calories and give your self a garden
to be proud of.
How many calories? If you really put your
back into it you can burn between 150 to
225 calories in 30 minutes.
A spot of vacuuming can be a great
upper body work out.
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Raking leaves: Don’t wait until your
garden is a mountain of decaying brown
leaves, get out there now and start
raking. Really put some effort into it. You
should be breaking out into a sweat after
about 15 to 20 minutes if you are grafting
hard enough.
How many calories? If you really put
some effort in by bending your knees
and dragging your rake in big wide
strokes, you could burn around 140
calories in 30 minutes.
Making the beds: Do you shoot off for
work in the morning without making your
bed? Why wait till you come home in the
evening to get this simple job done? Tackle
that bed linen mess first thing and you will
also enjoy a healthy upper body work out
too. Bending down to tuck sheets into the
mattress will also give your bottom, thighs
and leg muscles a going over too.
How many calories? A 30 minute session
spent folding, tucking and flapping could
shave a further 70 calories away.
Clean the kitchen floor: No we don’t
mean stand idly around swishing a
sodden mop head around the kitchen
floor. For maximum aerobic effect get
down on your hands and knees with a
bowl of hot soapy water, with just a dash
of bleach and get scrubbing! Remember
to don your rubber gloves.
How many calories? Again it depends
on you and how hard you work, but this
could burn between 100 and 150 calories.