Healthy Living

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

5 Ways to Jumpstart Your Fitness Routine

There was a time in your life when you didn't even realize what you were doing was called aerobic or cardio exercise. One of the most successful long-term weight-maintenance strategies is to make sure you burn 1,000 calories through exercise every week. But how you burn them is up to you. You can do anything from playing basketball (400 calories an hour*) to a game of squash (790 calories an hour). There's no reason anything you do has to feel like a "workout."

1. Inline skate
Head for the sidewalk or boardwalk or, if it's cold outside, find an indoor skating rink (and think back to grade-school skating parties).
Burns up to 700 calories an hour, depending on your speed and how hilly the course is

2. Shoot hoops
At home, the local park or gym, play a game of basketball with a few friends.
Burns 400 calories an hour

3. Go dancing
Head out on a Saturday night to try salsa, swing or even belly dancing. Or pick your favorite music at home and just move.
Burns about 300 calories an hour

4. Rock 'n' walk
Download new music to accompany your walk. Check out our monthly playlists for ideas.
Burns 330 calories an hour

5. Try musical jump-rope
Put on some great music and jump to the beat; use a boxer's shuffle or any other jump step you know.
Burns 658 calories an hour

*Calorie estimates are based on a 145-pound woman.

Go to shape.com for 5 more ways to jumpstart your routine



More from Shape:

Increase Your Metabolism

Fat-burning exercise, diet and lifestyle secrets

Exercise Alfresco

Fun ways to burn calories without stepping foot inside the gym

5 Secrets to Flat Abs

Train Smarter––not harder––for better results

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