News: Mind Over Matter

You know you are what you eat, but did you realize the same holds true for what you think? That’s the message delivered by a recent Harvard University Department of Psychology study: After a group of housekeepers learned the number of calories burned while cleaning they began to shed pounds and gain muscle faster than fellow workers who were unaware of the fitness gains. All of this came without a change in routine, just attitude.

Finally, a reason to rejoice over that growing list of household chores!

From dusting to gardening to rearranging furniture, any type of housework, home repair, yard work, or cleaning can help you reach your fitness and weight goals. For example, in an hour the average 150-pound woman can burn up to 292 calories by raking leaves; up to 238 calories by vacuuming; or up to 170 calories while lightly cleaning. Do your shutters need re-painting? Put in a solid 60 minutes, and you’ll walk away 304 calories lighter and with another home improvement project checked off the list. Just remember, for maximum results it’s important to view the activities as exercise, not just housework.