Do chores, shed weight

Being overweight is quite certainly one of the greatest health risks people the world over are facing today. Medically, this condition is known as obesity. Obese people are vulnerable to a large number of diseases such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems, diabetes, paralysis and gangrene. Hence, doctors and medical experts stress on maintaining appropriate weight to keep most diseases at bay.

For most of us going to a gym or for a walk might be difficult, especially for women. The gym is just another chore and the idea of jogging first thing in the morning or last thing at night; it's the last thing you want to do. Family always comes first and you always come last. Between breakfast, lunch boxes and wondering what to do for tea, while panicking about a dirty gym kit; you're exhausted. Swimming might be good, not to strenuous... but you can think of a hundred reasons why not to do the thing you are expected to do. Let’s face it; you have every reason under the sun, why not too! You've been rehearsing it for years.

Doing four or more household chores a day can help you lose weight, tone up, and keep it fit and healthy. One needs to make a conscious effort to contract the stomach muscles.

Warm ups: Music is a catalyst to the activities of the body and mind. Put on your favorite music and start some light household work. It could be picking up things, dusting bed sheets, putting back scattered toys in their place or things like that. Window washing: You tone your triceps and lose weight at the shoulders doing window washing. This is a great all- purpose cleaning motion.Vacuum cleaner lunges: It helps the upper back, legs and back muscles. Tense your muscles as far as you can while pushing the vacuum forward, and then push again. The vacuum will offer good resistance if it is heavy enough. You make sure to move slowly to get a good stretch.

Laundry squats: This helps toning up the thighs and legs and losing weight from the back. Slowly squat when picking up the dirty laundry. Keep your back straight and your heels on the floor. Don’t let the upper back tilt forward. Include one squat for every piece of laundry you put into basket.

Scrubbing the floor: This helps reduce the weight on the tummy and arms. Scrub your sink, bathroom or kitchen floor by hand and not a mop. The harder, the better. Sweep. Sweep the house more often and burn an extra 281 per hour. Get swept away by those extra calories burned! Mow the lawn and get a nice tan while burning 422 calories per hour. Don’t forget that sunscreen!