Top 10 Ways to Start Moving Naturally

By "de-conveniencing" your home and changing your surroundings to make active living easier, you’ll burn extra calories without even thinking about it. 

Photo: Queen Liliuokalani Long Distance Canoe Races by Charla Photography

1. Get a dog.

Most dog owners get over five hours of exercise a week without a lot of added effort. They also have fewer health problems compared to non-dog owners.

2. Trade in power tools for hand tools.

Shoveling, push-mowing, and raking burn almost 400 calories an hour or about the same amount of calories as lifting weights.

3. Keep sporting equipment in your yard.

Basketballs, baseballs, footballs, golf clubs, roller-blades, camping supplies, running shoes – have some of these in your yard for easy use. Playing catch, for example, for just 30 minutes burns over 100 calories.

4. Climb those stairs.

Did you know that you burn 10 calories per minute going up stairs at work or at home? This will help you ease your way into a healthier lifestyle.

5. Create exercise space.

Make exercise easier by designating space in your home for it. You’re more likely to use this equipment if it’s visible and easily accessible. A study at the University of Florida found that women who exercised at home lost 25 pounds in 15 months and maintained their weight loss.

6. Grow your own garden.

You can burn up to 50 calories gardening 30-45 minutes. As a bonus, this low-intensity exercise provides both stress-reducing benefits and fresh herbs and veggies to eat!

7. Own a bike.

Having a bike nudges you to use it. Riding at moderate speed burns about 235 calories per half hour. (Don’t forget your helmet!)

8. Burn calories through household tasks.

Watering houseplants burns the same number of calories as stretching and walking. Increasing simple movements like standing, walking and cleaning can help you burn an extra 350 calories a day.

9. Open your garage manually.

Getting out of the car, raising the door, and returning to the car burns calories per minute. Doing this twice a day burns an additional 70 calories.

10. Get up and change the TV channel.

Hide your channel changers and make the family get up to change the channel. Doing this manually ten times a day burns 100 calories.

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