It’s official. Spring has arrived. It had been a long winter, and I’ve heard many people talking about how they couldn’t wait to get outside for some exercise.
For some people, getting into an exercise routine during the winter can be difficult. Using the cold weather as one excuse not to get moving is all too common.
But those days are over and the change of season calls us all to get up
and get moving.
It is recommended that adults get in at least 30 minutes of activity each day in order to promote a healthy lifestyle. Children should get at least 60 minutes. Does this sound like a lot?
To many, it may seem impossible to carve out enough time from their busy schedules in order to exercise.
There is good news! The recommended minutes of exercise do not have to be in a row. A person can still get the health benefits by accumulating those 30 minutes each day, and many “everyday” tasks and fun activities can count towards the goal.
You may be getting more exercise than you think, and you might even have some fun while getting it done.
Here are some examples of activities that may count toward your exercise goals and the number of calories burned per hour performing these activities.
• Preparing for a yard sale
150 calories/hour
• Weeding the Garden
230 calories/hour
• Walking (2.5 miles per hour)
250 calories/hour
• Playing softball
260 calories/hour
• Mowing the lawn (push mower)
295 calories/hour
• Playing golf (without a cart)
300 calories/hour
• Playing volleyball
340 calories/hour
• Playing tennis (doubles)
350 calories/hour
• Biking (12 miles per hour)
385 calories/hour
• Playing tennis (singles)
510 calories/hour
• Jogging (5 miles per hour)
600 calories/hour

Remember that any activity you choose to participate in requires energy in the form of calories to execute.
Take every opportunity you can to get moving, and you might be surprised at the difference it can make in the way your body feels and functions.

To learn more about tips on health and exercise, contact Dawn Hedlund at 218-463-2500.