4 Surprising (and Fun!) Ways To Work Out

Who has time to workout these days? Long work days, even longer commutes, kids, pets, social obligations, needy friends and being plain ol' broke make it hard to get that physical activity in to keep you feeling happy and healthy. If you feel like you'd rather go to the dentist than hit the treadmill, this list is for you.

Dancing!

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You may or may not love "Toddlers and Tiara's" but this little girl is onto something. If you can booty pop (or just dance at a rate that keeps your heart beating and you sweating) for 30 minutes to 60 minutes, you're burning calories! Hopefully you're not wearing that outfit, but you certainly don't need fancy workout clothes to get your groove on with your friends and family.

Cleaning

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Take a page out of this girl's book. For cleaning, I mean (don't decorate like this, please. I beg of you. Unless your 9 years old.) Again, just 30 minutes of cleaning at an aerobic pace (similar to dancing) will burn calories. Major props if you clean like this for 60 minutes! Sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, vacuuming, lifting and dragging furniture, etc... just imagine the gym-less possibilities.

Yard Work and Gardening

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This big buy knows what's up. Gardening and yard work burns calories! While making your home or apartment look better... there is not a treadmill on earth that does that. If you live in the city, try window boxes, fire escape gardens or container gardens. If you have a house, even with a tiny yard, you have no excuse! Herbs and succulents are easy to grow and hard to kill. Even decorative stone or brick borders will provide that workout and arm-toning if you've got a thumb blacker than the Grim Reaper.

Shopping

Now don't go on a spending spree and blame me for your credit card debt (unless you buy me things, in which case, go for it). And please try not to trample like above. That being said, if you go shopping, walk briskly and carry some heavy packages for 30-60 minutes, you're burning a decent chunk of calories! If you hit a mall or a shopping center with decent walking space, join those old people doing laps around the joint- they're onto something- a free and fun workout! If you're broke as hell, window shopping while you speed walk with Maude is the closest you'll get to shopping, so suck it up. Burn, baby, burn!