Sometimes you just don’t have enough time in your schedule for a full-blown gym session — and that’s fine.
There are still plenty of things you can do to keep active in and around the other stuff you have planned with your day though. Every little helps, right?
Here are 5 simple activities that will burn 100 calories in 30 minutes or less.
1. Vacuuming the house
Talk about killing two birds with one stone, there’s nothing like a spot of housework to raise your heart rate.
Unless you’ve miraculously managed to avoid lifting a finger up until now, you probably already know that just a few minutes of hoovering can quickly feel like a real workout. Especially if furniture moving is involved.
2. Cutting the grass
If you’re lucky enough to have a sit-on lawnmower, this does not apply to you. We’re talking about the good old fashioned push alongs only.
Getting your garden in order is another great way to burn some calories without even having to think about it — and a nice way to get some fresh air too.
3. Going for a walk
Sounds obvious, but how many times have you gotten into your car to drive a few minutes down the road to your local shop?
If you’re just going to pick up a pint of milk or an essential ingredient you’re missing for your dinner plans, try giving your legs a stretch instead of immediately reaching for the keys.
There’s nothing to stop you going for an evening stroll without a set destination though. Taking a walk around the block after your dinner is a good way to get your steps in and let your food go down.
4. Going shopping
As if you needed any persuading…
When you think about it though, it’s not actually that surprising — of course shopping burns energy, trawling through rails of clothes and trying things on can really take it out of you.
Not to mention the effort of debating with yourself over whether or not you really need another pair of trainers.
5. Cleaning the car
Getting out the sponge and putting a little elbow grease into washing your car doesn't just save you money, but will have you burning calories too.
Forget yoga, a real test of flexibility is working out how to hoover properly under and around the seats of your car.
Our verdict? You don't necessarily have to be in a gym or performing a workout to be burning calories. Don't beat yourself up about not making it to a session, there are plenty of other ways you can get your muscles moving.
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Lauren is an English Literature graduate originally from the South. She’s always loved swimming, has discovered the power of weight training over the past few years, and has lots of room for improvement in her weekly hot yoga class.
On the weekends she’s usually cooking or eating some kind of brunch, and she enjoys trying out new recipes with her housemates – especially since shaking off student habits, like mainly surviving off pasta. Above all, she’s a firm believer in keeping a balance between the gym and gin.
Find out more about Lauren’s experience here.
