Get Yourself Going
The best thing anyone can do to improve their health is simply to get moving. Here's a list of dos and don'ts.
If we reduced our calorie intake to reflect our energy expenditure, many of us couldn't eat enough to meet our essential-nutrient needs. Shocking but true. The answer is to be more active in our daily lives. Like going to talk to a colleague instead of emailing, getting off the bus one stop early, taking the stairs, etc. And, by the way, kids with two active parents are six times more likely to be active too.
Have fun, feel great!
And even slim down. Here are the approximate calories a 135-lb. person burns (depending on exertion level) per hour, just having fun. Add 10% for each additional 15 lb. and deduct 10% for each 15 lb. less.
| Activity | Calories |
|---|---|
| Walking (brisk) | 250-380 |
| Mountain hiking | 430-810 |
| Swimming | 325-675 |
| Bicycling | 190-590 |
| Inline skating | 315-630 |
| Golf (walking) | 250-440 |
Gaining weight the lazy way
Gaining weight and not eating more? Here are some little habits that together can gain you five pounds a year.
- Always using the TV clicker instead of getting up now and then.
- Emailing office colleagues, rather than going and chatting twice daily.
- Using the electric garage-door opener.
- Three times a week, letting the dog out the backdoor instead of walking.
Now think about all the other "labour-saving" strategies you resort to.
Sources
Data comes from the Mayo Clinic Proceedings
