Weight Loss Articles

One of the quickest and most effective ways to lose weight and sustain weight loss is to increase the energy that you put into your regular chores. Believe it or not, you lose a significant number of calories through your daily activities, as long as your activities are not just sitting at your desk or watching television. In one hour of housework, you can actually burn as many calories as you would during one hour of walking or leisurely riding a bicycle.

The key to losing weight while doing everyday chores is to infuse your routine with vigor. Instead of slowly going through your task list, do it quickly. Being a busybody truly does have more benefit when it comes to weight loss than being a simpleton.

Here is a list of some common chores with some ways to infuse them with that added kick that can help you burn 100-300 extra calories per hour:

Laundry

Laundry baskets are heavy and require much lifting. The next time you take your laundry to your laundry room, lift the basket up and down as you walk. Lifting the basket will help to build your muscles and burn a handful of extra categories.

When you put laundry in the washer or drying, extend your legs as you bend. Extending your legs will help you get a helpful stretch in them, which will increase your flexibility and muscle tone.

Finally, when folding clothes or ironing, avoid simply sitting while you go through the task. Stand, bend your legs at the knees and do squats. Doing squats during these small intervals will help to build and tone your thigh muscles, which will, in turn, help to burn more calories on a regular basis.

Mowing the Lawn

If you mow the lawn regularly, you know that a certain degree of muscle strength is required in order to push the mower across the lawn. First, avoid using a riding lawn mower, even if you have a large lawn to cover. Use your push mower as if it were a stack of weights. Pushing from your chest, use your arms to push it across the lawn rather than your body. You will be tempted to simply use your body weight to push the equipment forward, but by pushing with your arms, you will build your triceps and biceps.

Dusting

Dusting is a relatively low-impact and exertion house chore. However, you will see benefit if you dust quickly. By speeding through your routine, you will notice that you are actually exhausted, if not out of breath, by the time you are finished. Do not scrimp on the corners, however, simply because you are dusting quickly. With the extra few minutes you save by speeding through your routine, do a few squats, push-ups or stretches. You will be amazed by what you can accomplish quickly.

Car Washing

Washing your car helps you burn a huge amount of calories. The next time your vehicle needs a bath, avoid taking it to the local car wash. Instead, vigorously scrub it down using soap and sponges. The activity will help you build muscle and will get you in action. Any action more than sitting will help you increase the number of calories your body consumes.