The "Anti Gym-Rat" Ways To Burn Calories

So, you want to lose a few extra pounds but just can't stand the idea of suiting up and hitting the local gym or you don't have equipment at home?  No problem!  There are tons of things that you can do to burn some extra calories and shed the pounds without really thinking much about it at all!

• Do Your Chores - Doing dishes, vacuuming, cooking dinner, cleaning the house, etc is a great way to burn some calories!  Hiring a maid service to do it for you will not only cost you some hard earned cash but eliminate your calorie burning potential.  Cut the maid service, save some cash and lose the pounds.  It's a win/win!
• Take the Steps -  Instead of opting for the elevator, find the stairs!  Make it a habit even when you are carrying items with you.  The extra weight will help you burn more. 
• Move Briskly -  When you are walking, even to and from meetings, walk briskly.  Walk with meaning and with intention - the brisker your walk, the more calories you will burn.
• Wear Weights -  Buy ankle weights or wrist weights for around the house if you stay home with your babies.  They are inexpensive, you can buy them at Wal Mart.  Wear them throughout the day to amp up your calorie burning potential!  Start small (3 pounds) and move up as those become easier to wear.
• Do Jumping Jacks -  One of the quickest, easiest, cheapest ways to get some cardio in is to do jumping jacks.  You can burn 100 calories doing 10 minutes of jumping jacks.
• Clean Up the Yard -  Get yourself some plastic gloves and a trash bag and go clean your yard up.  Leaning down will work your core while you pick the trash up from your yard.  Got a clean yard?  Pick up around your neighborhood!  Not only will you improve the look of your community, you will get a good workout in! 
• TRY THIS - Rather than leaning down to get the trash, squat down to use your leg muscles for an even more intense "burn."
• Do the Laundry -  Are your washer and dryer in the basement and your bedrooms, linen closets upstairs?  GREAT!  Take your laundry up a little at a time.  Even take the kids laundry up for them (make them put it away though!)  Your going to notice the steps getting just a little easier each time you take them!
• Join Neighborhood Watch -  Some communities still have active "Neighborhood Watch" programs, if not, start your own.  Find other parents that want to ensure that the neighborhood is a safe place while getting a good cardio workout in at the same time.  Take a flashlight and cell phones and make sure you wear reflective clothing.
• Wash Your Car -  Not right this moment when it's 30 out specifically but as soon as the temperatures warm up.  Don't waste your money at the car wash, do it yourself!  Save money, burn calories and have fun - get your kids or your hubby or wife out there with you!
• Do Yard Work -  Spring is right around the corner - there will be a lot of work that needs to be done.  Don't hire a lawn maintenance company - do it yourself!  Cut the grass, weed, trim trees, power wash the house or the deck, set your lawn furniture out and clean it up.  Not only will you be burning calories and saving money but you will have a sense of accomplishment with a job well done!

You don't have to be a "gym-rat" to live a healthy lifestyle and burn the calories or lose the weight.  It simply takes a little movement to get your metabolism up and turn your body into a fine tuned, calorie burning machine!  Watch what you eat, consume fewer calories, drink water, amp your food up with some red pepper to increase metabolism even more and MOVE!!!