Calories Burned with Housework, Everyday Chores and Other Activities

Turn housework into a workout.  Ironing, washing dishes, cooking, raking leaves, walking the dog, everyday activities and recreation all burn calories.

Of course, the number of calories burned varies with each person, depending on weight of the individual and the intensity that one uses attacking the task.  It does not always have to be task oriented either!  Fun stuff like hiking counts, too.

For example, assuming a 150 lb. person with average basal metabolic rate for 30 minutes of movement, the average calories burned per task are:

         Task                       Calories

• Walking (brisk)                   ~ 150 

• Gardening                           ~ 200 

• Washing & waxing car        ~ 300 

• Riding a bike                       ~ 300 to 400 

• Raking leaves                     ~ 150 

• Dancing                               ~ 230 

• Swimming                           ~ 250 

• Skiing                                  ~ 225 Alpine; ~300 Cross Country

• Climbing stairs                    ~ 100 per 10 minutes.

Help yourself stay in shape through general household chores!