How to Squeeze in Your Workout Over Summer Vacation

How to Squeeze in Your Workout Over Summer Vacation

Summer months can be hectic. Maybe the kids are home for summer, you’re on vacation or just can’t seem to fit in your normal exercise routine. We all have days when finding an hour to exercise just isn't happening, but that doesn't mean you should skip your workout! Try calorie-burning activities you can do at home like gardening, housework and combining several mini workouts to stay in shape this summer.

Get Moving While You Garden
Gardening forces you to get outside in nature and dig around in the dirt, which is great for your body. It also cultivates a calm and relaxed state of mind, allowing you to let go of everyday life pressures. What’s not to like about gardening? It’s relaxing, burns calories and builds muscles.

According to Centers for Disease Control, gardening compares to “moderate cardiovascular exercise.” That’s not just standing there watering the bushes, but moving up and down and being active. Try weeding, raking, digging and planting to keep fit this summer. Remember to drink lots of water and breathe it all in. Deep cleansing breaths carry oxygen to your hard-working muscles.

Make Housework Work for You
Cleaning house exercises all your major muscles and burns more calories than you’d think. Consider the wide range of movements involved in making beds, vacuuming, window washing, taking out the trash and putting away the dishes. You’re constantly walking, stretching, bending and lifting.

Depending on how much you weigh and how hard you work, you can burn up to 250 calories doing everyday household chores. For example, thirty minutes of vacuuming or sweeping burns approximately 130 calories, while mowing the lawn for 30 minutes with a hand mower burns roughly 215 calories. While housework shouldn't be your only form of exercise, it can definitely supplement your other workouts and help you stay healthy this summer.

Try Mini Fitness Sessions
Consider this quick 15-minute sweat sesh when you don’t have time for a full hour workout at the gym.

First, Jump rope: You can do this anywhere! Try jumping for 5-10 minutes before you train. This will warm up your body and help prevent injury.

Then do some planks: Lie down facing the floor. Bend your elbows to 90-degrees. Raise your body up, while holding your core and lifting your toes.


Finally, do the bird-dog: Get down on all fours on the floor with your palms flat and hands shoulder’s width apart. Raise your left hand parallel to the floor. Stretch you right leg out, parallel to the floor. Hold and count to three, switching the leg and arm on both sides.
                                     
Bonus: Other exercises you can add to your routine for a complete body workout include pushups, squats, jumping jacks, standing lunges and bicycle crunches.

What are you doing to stay healthy and active this summer? Let us know!