Yes, it is true! You can still stay active and fit without having to go to the gym. In point of fact, there are so many ways of staying healthy, active and fit naturally. Multiple trips to the gym in a week is only one part of it, but not to say that it is something that can be done naturally. Sometimes, the thought of going to the gym itself can be quite a letdown. You are tired even to make a trip there and wonder for anything that takes less time and more enjoyable to avoid you from getting bored and sleepy. I know, not everyone fancy going to the gym. So, here are some of the things that you can do alternatively:
30 minutes cycling around the neighborhood (300 calories) = 15 minutes of "body combat" practice
One of the obvious reasons why you should cycle around the neighborhood rather than doing so in a gym is of course, the environment. Cycling around your hometown, around the park, and in case you live near to places where greeneries are a generous attribution will give you a better bonus. First is that you would not realized how far have you cycled (which most of the time is more than you expected) because there are so many things to see and distract you from focusing on your cycling alone. Second is that you will get more fresh air and the landscape will help you to regulate your cycle pattern. It will be flexible and inclusive of low, medium and high impact.
30 minutes of dancing of medium impact (175 calories) = 30 minutes of yoga
Are you a fan of dancing? If you say the answer is yes, then it would be a trouble if you do not go to the gym to workout. You might find dancing as a much more interesting and a fun thing to do and that is all the better. You will burn a substantial amount of calories while dancing and it can definitely keep you healthy and active. Yes, it is just as good as going to the gym.
10 minutes stairs climbing (84 calories) = 9 minutes of sit-ups
It will seem a little too impossible for someone to choose on climbing the stairs for the whole of ten minutes, unless your situation requires you to do so (when you live on the 10th floor and the lift is out of service). However, that does not mean this method would not work. Always try to choose using the stairs rather than the escalator or the lift. Climbing the stairs on a moderate pace to the third floor can burn for you more or less 15 calories. Which means, by doing this 5 times a day will burn you 75 calories! That is partly the reason as to why you should not underestimate the power of stairs climbing.
1 hour of taking care of your child, babies up to toddlers (222 calories) = 25 minutes of step aerobic class
Have you ever wondered that the weight of a mother who takes care of her own child can drop tremendously compared to a mother who uses a babysitter or nursery services? If you manage your eating habits and stress level well, you will find motherhood job a great way of losing weight. All the activities that involve childcare such as carrying, feeding your baby, cleaning up the toys and other things related can burn for you more than enough calories.
1 hour of thinking, sitting or standing (110 calories) = 20 minutes of low impact aerobic class
Believe it or not, you actually burn some calories just by sitting or standing and thinking. If some of you thought that thinking is an energy consuming activity, then it is true after all. If you realized, thinking too much can wear a person off. For example during studying for exams, it is required to increase glucose intake in order to increase more nutrients in the blood to the brain cells. Actually, thinking alone requires approximately 20% of your energy daily. In this context, thinking would include playing puzzle games, crossword, and even video and computer games.
10 minutes of cooking and preparing meals (80 calories) = 8 minutes of swimming
Yes, you can burn some energy while preparing meals for your family. Even so, try not to binge on the food that you are preparing that could result to more calories intake! However, often times if you are already tired while preparing all those meal, you should find yourself eating less because you are already too tired that you might loss some appetite.
1 hour of housework and chores (286 calories) = 30 minutes of running
Just like babysitting your children, a day filled with doing housework and chores too will help you with energy burning. It would not be a fun thing to do but think about how much calorie you will burn and muscles you can build up, you will find it worth it. You can spice things up by listening to music while cleaning up your house.
30 minutes of car-washing (143 calories) = 15 minutes of using rowing machine
By right, doing your own car wash can give you three extra benefits. First is the amount of money that you can save rather than going to a car wash shop in town. Second, if you are doing it with your children or family, it will help you build a greater family bonding. Third, you get to burn more calories! To get the better effect, do more squats while cleaning your tires. In return, you will have a squeaky-clean car and nicely shape thighs.
1 hour of vigorous walking (245 calories) = 30 minutes of elliptical training OR
30 minutes of shopping + 30 minutes of carrying the 2 groceries bags around, walking (150 calories) = 25 minutes on the "step machine"
Alas! All those hours spends at the shopping mall has finally been acknowledge as a great way of exercising. However, we do not often walk fast while doing our shopping but you can try to walk faster occasionally. Another tip is not to spend your time more than half an hour at coffee shops to avoid a refill of cup or temptation to order a slice of that moist chocolate cake. Try drinking more plain water instead; it contains fewer calories and helps you burn fat too.
30 minutes of gardening (330 calories) = 30 minutes of skipping
Gardening activities, including cutting off the grass and lawn mowing, are effective ways to train your whole body and eventually give you a better body shape. The activities will include squatting, kneeling and other various body movements. Besides training the body, most of the movements are essential in order to prevent any injuries from happening.
There you have ten natural and practical ways of losing weight and burn more calories daily. Now you know there is always an option available if you could not make those weekly trips to the gym. Make use of all the available ways of staying fit and active; and better yet, now you can do it naturally too!
