Dear Friends,
If you don’t like hitting the gym or working out for that matter but are still concerned about your health and have weight loss goals, don’t fret. I have some solutions for you.
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I totally get it, gym memberships are expensive, and the gym can be quite intimidating, especially if you’re new. But you don’t have to hit the gym to burn calories. In fact, you can take part in really fun activities that you will actually enjoy.
Harvard Medical School recently released a report titled Lose Weight and Keep It Off where they outlined several different ways to burn 150 calories, all without hitting the gym. Here’s what made the list:
- Wash and wax your car for 45–60 minutes
- Wash windows and floors for 45–60 minutes
- Play volleyball for 45 minutes
- Play touch football for 30–45 minutes
- Garden for 30–45 minutes
- Bike for five miles or 30 minutes
- Dance for 30 minutes
- Push a stroller 1.5 mile in 30 minutes
- Rake leaves for 30 minutes
- Walk two miles in 30 minutes
- Partake in water aerobics for 30 minutes
- Swim laps for 20 minutes
- Play basketball for 15 to 20 minutes
- Bike four miles in 15 minutes
- Jump rope for 15 minutes
- Shovel snow for 15 minutes
- Climb stairs for 15 minutes
- Run 1.5 miles in 15 minutes
As you can see there are a variety of everyday activities that you can perform to help you burn 150 calories. Furthermore, there are plenty of options for all seasons, meaning just because it’s getting colder outside, there are still plenty of indoor activities that can help you achieve your weight loss goals.
Being in the midst of the holiday season, there are far more opportunities to binge eat and drink. Finding easy ways to get in some calorie burning can go a long way. (Side note: Don’t forget to not binge eat and binge drink! You’ll highly regret it in the New Year).
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I’m sure there are many other activities you can think of that you enjoy which can help you burn even more calories. Whatever you choose, just make sure you are moving around as much as possible and not falling into the couch potato habit.
Until next time,
Emily Lunardo
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Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
