Weight Loss Tip #9: Do It Yourself

There are many types of activities that we frequently automate or pay someone else to do that burn a lot of calories. This could include doing yardwork or housework.

My personal example came last winter when we bought a new house and had to deal with the issue of snow (we live in the Ohio snowbelt) on our driveway. Paying someone to plow our driveway would cost around 500 dollars; I could do it for free. I discovered that shoveling the driveway was not only cost effective, but also darn good exercise! In fact, snow shoveling burns around 7 calories a minute and judging by my soreness the next day, also works the muscles pretty nicely!

Another suggestion may be to mow the yard with a push mower instead of a riding mower. And, in these times of economic uncertainty, it makes sense, if a person is healthy and able-bodied, to find ways to take on a few more activities that also burn calories.

Here are a few of my personal favorites:

Shovel your walk or driveway
Walk to the post office
Mow the lawn with a push mower
Hand wash an article of clothing
Build something
Dig something (although it better be needed or your spouse may get annoyed)
Wash your windows
Clean your gutters
Trip the hedges (even with an electric trimmer this is work!)