Burn Calories while Spring Cleaning

As we dig into spring, you may start working on some spring cleaning projects.  If you just rolled your eyes at the thought of collecting dust bunnies and dragging your winter clothes to the attic, here’s a look on the bright side: you can burn calories while spring cleaning!  Seriously!

spring cleaning__1458741056_162.206.228.38Ok, ok, you may not reach the calorie burn you achieve in your 1-hour cycling class but housework can be considered moderate exercise if you do it with some level of intensity.  There are actually some fantastic health benefits to exercising in short 30-minute bursts rather than longer periods.  We’re not saying you should skip the cycling class or your other regular exercise either, but as you’re shaping up for bathing suit season, a few ways to burn calories while spring cleaning isn’t a bad idea.

So just how many calories are we talking about?  Here’s an estimate:

  • General cleaning-up and tidying around the house can burn up to 125 calories an hour.
  • Vacuuming, mopping or sweeping can also burn around 125 calories an hour.
  • Washing and folding the laundry burns about 135 calories an hour.
  • Scrubbing tubs and windows can burn over 160 calories in just one hour.
  • Painting rooms or that old dresser a nice springy-hue can buy you upwards of 150 calories in 30 minutes.
  • Moving furniture from room-to-room can burn around 100 calories in just 15 minutes.  Even more if you’re going up or down stairs.

A terrific way to burn calories while spring cleaning is to add intensity and speed wherever possible.  That means lunging, squatting and stretching during cleaning time, adding vigor to movements, stepping up the pace and even adding more steps to the process.  Here are some tips to maximize the calorie burn while spring cleaning:

  • Place your cleaning bucket far away from the area where you are working so you constantly have to walk back and forth to get supplies.
  • Lunge forward with your legs while mopping, sweeping and vacuuming.
  • Get on your hands and knees to clean the shower and bathtub.
  • Use large arm movements when scrubbing the bathroom, kitchen and windows.
  • Stretch high to reach for things.
  • Use a step ladder for hard-to-reach places and go up-and-down as much as possible.
  • Put on some fast-paced music to energize your spring cleaning and encourage yourself to move faster.
  • Twist your body towards cabinets and drawers when putting away dishes and clothes.
  • Tighten your abdominal muscles during all spring cleaning activities.

As you burn calories while spring cleaning, you’re getting a few added benefits too:  a cleaner home, less allergens and a sense of satisfaction.  With these tips to burn calories while spring cleaning, multi-tasking never looked so appealing!  Happy Spring!!

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