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October 19, 2009

25 Festive Ways to Burn 150 Calories

It’s easy to get lost in the bustle of the season, and with so many things to do, our workouts are often the first to get forgotten.  But don’t worry – I’ve come up with 25 innovative (and festive!) ways to burn 150 calories during your regular holiday activities. 

So start working on that to-do list and let the calories take care of themselves!

  1. Trick-or-Treating with your kids  30 minCB005622
  2. Carving pumpkins  60 min
  3. Lifting large bags of Halloween candy  60 min
  4. Jumping around like a kid on candy  20 min
  5. Brushing your teeth after too much sugar  55 min

  

  1. Grocery shopping for Thanksgiving Dinner  40 min
  2. Playing touch football with your kids  15 min
  3. Running a Thanksgiving Day road race  10 min
  4. Collecting canned goods for the local shelter  25 min
  5. Cleaning house for your in-laws  40 min

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  1. De-stressing with some yoga poses  30 min
  2. Raking the lawn before your neighbors say something  30 min
  3. Dance practice with your kids for their Holiday Pageant  20 min
  4. Mall walking and holiday shopping  30 min
  5. Climbing stairs at the mall (instead of the escalator)  15 min

 

  1. Wrapping presents  60 min
  2. Stacking firewood for roasting chestnuts  25 min
  3. Ballroom dancing at a holiday party  30 minCB067759
  4. Taking your kids sledding on a snow day  20 min
  5. Having to shovel out your driveway first  23 min

 

  1. Christmas caroling  40 min
  2. Baking Christmas cookies  60 min
  3. Washing dishes after the big meal  60 min
  4. Kissing under mistletoe  130 min
  5. Watching “It’s a Wonderful Life”… again  125 min

Each calculation is based on a 150-lb individual and is an approximation.  If you weigh less than 150 lbs, you will burn less than 150 calories in the time allotted above.  If you weigh more than 150 lbs, you will burn over 150 calories. 

The following sites were used to determine calorie calculations:

Calorie Control Council and NutriStrategy

Print This Post Print This Post | Email This Post Email This Post | Leave a comment | posted by Nicole in Weight Loss
October 7, 2009

Looking Ahead: Here’s to a Healthy Holiday Season!

Dear TC readers,

The month of October is already upon us and as we speed forward towards that inevitable chain of holiday parties, dinners, and desserts, it’s a good idea to stop and re-assess our health and fitness goals.  Take a few minutes today and ask yourself the following questions:

  • Am I where I’d like to be health-wise?
  • Am I taking time for myself every day?
  • Am I finding new ways to minimize stress and prioritize my health?

These next 3 months are typically the most stressful of the year – because just when we need to take better care of ourselves, we find we have less time than ever.

In fact, a study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) found that most Americans gain at least a pound during these months.  While that may not sound like much, the majority of people won’t lose the weight after January… which can lead to significant weight gain over the years.    NICHD Director Duane Alexander, MD suggests that developing ways to avoid holiday weight gain could be a strong factor in preventing obesity and the diseases associated with it.

Taking a moment to reflect honestly on your health can help you address any shortcomings and move towards a solution that is effective and doable – often without having to adjust your routine at all!

Here’s to a healthy holiday season!

Nicole

Print This Post Print This Post | Email This Post Email This Post | Leave a comment | posted by Nicole in The Big Picture