Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Stop being lazy. Instead of paying someone else to do your spring cleaning, get busy. Shovel snow. Rake leaves. Cut the grass. Cleaning up the yard is a great way to get active. Not only are you getting the job done, you're also burning calories at the same time. Believe it or not, shoveling snow by hand can burn up to 408 calories an hour. By raking leaves for an hour, you stand to burn 240 calories. Make the neighbors jealous by planting beautiful spring flower beds. Gardening is perhaps the most rewarding of all yard work, especially if you plant health-boosting veggies, plus all that bending, digging and planting burns plenty of calories. You'll also knock off 408 calories by simply mowing the lawn for an hour with a push mower; remember, riding doesn't count.


Cleaning roof gutters burns about 320 calories per hour and works your upper back, shoulders, arms and legs. Get the hose out and have fun with the kids by washing the cars. After all that winter slush, snow and dirt, it's going to be a big, calorie-burning job. Clean the windows - inside and out - to burn calories and ensure a sparkling outlook on spring. If you want to make spring cleaning an inside job, then get your muscles moving by flipping mattresses, vacuuming - floors, walls, drapes - the whole nine yards. Clear out clutter and make some extra cash by holding a yard sale and selling all your castoffs. Did we mention you'll also save money?