Getting the MOST out of Housecleaning.

Ever have one of those days where cleaning is really the last thing on your mind? If you are working on getting in shape, loosing weight, or just being slightly more active, housecleaning is really helpful. Have you ever noticed that you are actually PHYSICALLY tired after cleaning for long periods of time, especially when deep cleaning the house? This is because you are actually burning a LOT more calories then you think. For example, after 15 minutes of walking around while you prepare to leave (if you have kids, you know this take MUCH longer then 15 minutes) you burn roughly 36 calories! Of course this is dependent on your current weight, but you can check out how many you are roughly burning by visiting CalorieLab.

There are other things you can do in order to burn more calories faster and also things you can do during basic house cleaning rituals to help build muscle. For example, instead of using a handvac to "sweep" your floors, pull out that old dusty broom and sweep the floors. If you are OCD like me, doing it an extra time to make sure everything is up will be good for you as well. Instead of wasting precious EXPENSIVE electricity, hang your cloths outside on the line instead of using your dryer, not only will it save you from having to clean out the dryer vents every quarter, but it will also work those arms, legs, back and calves!

One thing that I personally do, especially if someone has the kids while I'm cleaning, I'll turn on some good tunes and dance around while I am doing my house work. Constant motion throughout the entire body not only will burn those calories off but it will keep you loose and flexible!

Here is a list of other ideas to help burn extra calories while cleaning:

1. Run or walk quickly up the stairs of your house throughout your cleaning section (USE YOUR HANDRAIL)
2. Do squats when picking things up off the floor. Not only is this better for your back, but your legs and butt will get some great toning!
3. If you arent doing a WHOLE HOUSE cleaning, set a timer and see how much you can get done in 5, 10, or 30 minutes.
4. Vaccum at a fast pace. great full body workout!
5. Skip out on using the Dishwasher and handwash the dishes. Your arms get a great workout!
6. DANCE. Shake that booty while you are standing and folding laundry or vaccuming the floors!
7. If you MUST sit, use your best posture and dont lean back in your seat.
8. Use full range of movement while working, doing this will help stretch your muscles and joints.
9. If you have a lot of cleaning to do, set a timer for 10-30 minutes and take a 5 minute stretching/breather before starting your next "workout" session.

Now, I know many people dont particularly LIKE cleaning the house. I for one am definitely one of those people! I have the whole mindset that, if it isnt done right, it isnt done! Which makes housecleaning take a lot longer and it gets more in depth then what it technically should be. There are ways to help with making cleaning a little more tolerable. And yes, I had to find ideas online to help me...

1. Set a positive mood for housecleaning. For me, I have found that playing high energy music (even if it's kid's music) helps me stay active and positive while cleaning. I also make sure that the house is BRIGHT. I know during the Alaskan Winters, bright isnt something we come by often so we have lots of lamps and bright bulbs in our house. During the summers, I just tie up the curtains and get to work!
2. Take DEEP BREATHS. I know this sounds a little funny, I know, but when you breath deeper you are giving yourself more oxygen in your blood which means more oxygen to your muscles, including your brain. This will make you feel more energized.
3. Set a pace. Dont try to get everything done all at one time. If you set yourself small achieveable goals (kind of like the ones you set for your fitness), you will see progress faster. Work at a fast pace to keep your heart pumping, but not too fast to burn yourself out too fast.
4. STRETCH. House cleaning is a workout. What do you do before and after a workout? YOU STRETCH! You use more parts of your body while you are cleaning then you do when you go to a gym and sit on a machine. If there is a point in your housecleaning that will make you have to stretch, do it! You're body will thank you!

I hope these things help you with your Housecleaning Workouts, They have certainly helped me in the past few years and have definitely made me more eager to be able to start really cleaning again after this baby girl arrives! Let me know what kinds of things you do to help you loose calories while cleaning!


References:
http://www.hivehealthmedia.com/cleaning-workout/
http://fitbodyfulllife.com/2010/07/top-10-housecleaning-workout-tips/
http://calorielab.com/burned/
http://voices.yahoo.com/get-good-workout-while-housecleaning-141601.html