Feel the (Spring) Burn, What Everyday Chores Promote Weight Loss

Spring is here, and so is the cleaning! I look forward to doing a super thorough cleaning job at least twice a year, and besides having pride that the house smells even more fresh and pleasant, I started to realize the work that’s being done adds up to my daily step count and calorie burn!

I wanted to see just how many calories each chore burned, and according to Good Housekeeping, Mopping, and vacuuming are the big winners!

Mopping your floor may not be glamorous, but we spend over an hour a week doing it, and we can burn over 400 calories! Vacuuming not only burns calories but can help you tone your arms and shoulder muscles.

If you combined mopping, vacuuming, and perhaps sweeping all in one day, you could burn over 1,000 calories!

Now let’s move on to laundry. Sorting, washing, drying, and folding is tedious work, and if you don’t have a washer and dryer in your home, you must drag it all to the laundromat. Here’s the good news though: All that sorting, drying, and folding can add up to a 700-calorie burn!

That’s easily an ice cream sandwich or some cookies while watching your favorite show!

Now let’s talk grocery shopping and loading and unloading the car. I always say I don’t mind the shopping part; it’s lugging it up the front stairs into the house that takes me a while, especially if I’m alone.

When I heard that you could burn 300 calories a week just doing this, it changed my outlook on grocery shopping, and now I think about how many times I climb the stairs and carry the bags in. Just avoid making the bags too heavy so you don’t throw your back out or pull a muscle in your arm.

Now I’m going to give you a little tip that was handed down from my great aunt Lydia regarding beer. She used beer to get stains out of her carpet, and to polish old furniture! Think about that for a minute, you can have a happy hour AND clean your house at the same time! Isn’t that a wonderful thing for a rainy Spring Saturday or Sunday? Clean the house, burn calories, and have beer too!

For more tips and a deeper dive into cleaning and calorie burning, you can look here.

MORE FROM DEBBIE

For most people, chores are an inevitable part of daily life. Whether it's cleaning the house, doing the laundry, or grocery shopping, there always seems to be something that needs to be done. While chores can be time-consuming and tedious, they are also an essential part of maintaining a clean and organized living space. Completing chores can provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction and contribute to a more comfortable and enjoyable home environment.

Also, completing chores can actually bring a sense of happiness and fulfillment. For many people, a clean and organized living space can significantly impact their mental and emotional well-being. Regular chores, such as cleaning and decluttering, can help reduce stress and anxiety, creating a calmer and more serene living environment.

Additionally, the sense of accomplishment that comes from completing a task, no matter how small, can boost confidence and self-esteem. While it may be tempting to put off chores in favor of more enjoyable activities, taking the time to complete these tasks can ultimately lead to a more satisfying and enjoyable home life.

There are many different types of chores that can bring about a sense of happiness and satisfaction.

Here are chores that actually make you feel good.

For some, being outside in the fresh air and sunshine while doing physical work can be quite enjoyable. There's something about seeing a freshly cut and neat lawn that can provide a sense of pride and accomplishment. This can lead to increased happiness and satisfaction. Also, the rhythmic motion of mowing the lawn can be meditative for some people, which allows to clear their minds and reduce stress levels.

The process of doing laundry can provide a sense of accomplishment and productivity. It involves completing a task from start to finish. And the act of folding and organizing freshly washed clothes can be satisfying for some people, helping them create a more organized and tidy living space. The task of doing laundry can also be an aromatic experience with the fresh and clean scent of newly washed clothes. That surely can lift a person’s mood.

Washing dishes may not be the most glamorous of tasks, but it can actually be a chore that brings happiness. For some, the act of washing dishes can be a meditative activity that allows them to focus on the task at hand and clear their mind of other distractions.

Scrubbing away grime and dirt and restoring order to a space that may have become chaotic, can provide a sense of accomplishment and even a feeling of control over one's environment. while cleaning the bathroom may not be everyone's favorite chore, it can certainly be a task that brings a sense of peace and contentment to those who find joy in tidying up their living spaces.

Vacuuming, like any other chore, can bring a sense of happiness and accomplishment to some people. Cleaning up dust, debris, and other particles from carpets and floors can provide a tangible sense of progress and order. Especially when you see the results of a freshly vacuumed space. Some people enjoy the sound and motion that a vacuum cleaner creates. It’s almost like a  a sense of calm and relaxation, which can be therapeutic.

Figuring out what to eat daily and having to cook it may not be enjoyable for some people. Cooking can be considered a chore, especially if they feel like they have to cook out of necessity rather than as a hobby or a creative outlet. It can provide a sense of satisfaction, accomplishment, and creativity. When you’re preparing a meal for yourself or others, it can be a way to express your love and care for those you are feeding. Also, cooking can be a stress-relieving activity that allows you to focus your attention on the task at hand and forget about other worries for a while.