Whenever a person wants to burn additional calories, the initial thought is spending more time in the gym. This is definitely one good approach for burning additional calories, but there are many other approaches as well. Most people cringe at the thought of spending more time in the gym, so let’s think outside of the box for some additional calorie burning activities.

Did you know that cleaning the house is an excellent way of burning additional calories? Not only are you constantly moving around, but you’re engaging a large number of muscles at the same time. Example: Pushing and pulling a vacuum cleaner is a great exercise for your shoulders, back, and biceps.

If you’re more of an outdoorsy type of person, gardening is a great activity to burn some additional calories. Have you ever noticed how grueling it can be to weed your garden? Don’t think this chore is going unrewarded. You also can’t forget the Fall season when not a strand of grass can be seen through the leaves. Just 30-45 minutes of raking will leave your shoulders and obliques aching in the morning!

Another great activity to burn calories is cleaning your car. Save yourself a trip to the drive-thru car wash and do the work yourself. Wax the car as well if you want some additional calories burned. Not only will you be burning calories, but there’s nothing better than driving around in a shiny car!

Even spending some time at the mall shopping is an excellent way to burn calories. Walking from store to store obviously burns calories, but as you progressively buy more items, the additional weight you’re carrying will burn even more calories. Just keep an eye on that shopping bill. The couple hundred calories burned may not be worth the couple hundred dollars spent in the end:)

As you can see, calories can be burned anywhere. If you’re looking to burn additional calories, the gym isn’t your only choice. Since burning calories can be hard work, you might as well be productive with your time.

-Tom