Forget the gym—try your hand at some festive chores this holiday season to stay fit. You might just trim your waistline while trimming the tree!
Dr. Amy West, a sports medicine physician at Northwell Health, shares that holiday chores like vacuuming and hanging lights can burn as much as 300 calories within just 30 minutes. This discovery brings a new twist to the typical festive hustle and bustle, offering an unexpected workout regime for holiday enthusiasts.
Imagine scaling a ladder to hang decorations—you’re not just beautifying your space, but also burning up to 200 calories. The combination of climbing and hammering makes for a surprisingly effective workout, and who knew your living room could double as a fitness center?
Meanwhile, vacuuming those pesky pine needles that fall from your Christmas tree can burn up to 300 calories in half an hour. The constant push and pull of the vacuum aren’t just tidy work; they’re also great for your range of motion, according to West. Want to up the ante? Consider picking things up or carrying the vacuum up and down the stairs to add extra intensity.
Even wrapping gifts brings some benefits, though it falls on the lower end of the calorie-burning spectrum at under 100 calories. West notes that sitting cross-legged on the floor while wrapping can surprisingly help with mobility and spine flexibility. It’s all in maintaining good posture while you strategize on the perfect bow versus wrap ratio!
Decorating your tree isn’t just about aesthetics. Dr. West points out that it’s a chance to work on range of motion, especially when reaching up to place the star or other tree toppers. Climbing up and down the ladder might burn around 200 calories, turning decor day into an impromptu exercise session.
For those who love window shopping, walking at a brisk pace through a holiday-adorned mall can torch between 250 to 300 calories in just 30 minutes. The advice? Skip the elevator and take the stairs or walk up the escalator to ensure maximum calorie burn.
And don’t forget those neighborhood strolls to admire holiday lights. Walking through your town can be a cardiovascular benefit and calorie burner, especially if you maintain a brisk pace and bundle up to battle the cold, potentially burning 300 calories as well.
West advises that for those looking for a more intense activity, ice skating can yield impressive results. Skating vigorously could burn up to 500 calories in 30 minutes, provided you’re not just gliding along the rink’s edge.
While traditional workouts are great, your holiday chores can pull double duty as both festive fun and fitness boosters. So this season, as you juggle between decking the halls and enjoying holiday treats, remember, every little movement counts. Why not make the most of it and enjoy the subtle exercise woven into the holiday cheer?
Source: Yahoo
