Hate Exercise? Try These Every Day Calorie Burners

Does the thought of going to the gym to work out make you break into a cold sweat? The idea of lacing up running shoes to go out jogging make you cringe? Try these every day calorie burners that will help you burn off calories while you do chores around the house. Keep up your intensity level to burn the amount of calories listed. (Numbers are based on a 150 pound person. To calculate numbers specific to your weight, try this handy calculator.)

Housework. It never ends, and is a daily opportunity to squeeze some exercise into your day. Both vacuuming and mopping the kitchen floor for 30 minutes will burn 180 calories each. Cleaning up after a party (or after your family) for an hour will burn about 300 calories. (That's equivalent to an Egg McMuffin!) Just washing dishes for 15 minutes a day will shed almost 40 calories.

Outdoor Work. You'll burn 188 calories mowing the grass for half an hour. (That's a push-mower, not sitting on top of you John Deere sipping a cola.) That's 188 calories is roughly equivalent to one glazed donut, a 3 ounce filet mignon or a slice of pepperoni pizza. Pulling those weeds out of the garden for 30 minutes adds up to 153 calories, equivalent to 2 slices of bread. The car lover in your home might be happy to know that he'll expend almost 300 calories washing the car for an hour.

Shopping. Who says shopping isn't exercise? Spending 30 minutes power shopping will burn about 130 calories. Putting those groceries away will melt 43 calories. Park away far away from the entrance to the store, and shave 22 calories off your day walking for 5 minutes. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator can burn up to 35 calories.

Child Care. You thought running after your toddler takes a lot of energy, and you're right! Child care for 90 minutes will burn about 258 calories, equivalent to a BLT or a cup of potato salad.

Of course, as your doctor will surely inform you, household chores are no substitute for a good cardio workout and strength training. (And check with your physician before starting any kind of exercise.) These every day calorie burners, however, will help get you off of the couch and into a more active lifestyle. You might just feel better knowing that all those mundane chores are actually good for your health.