By Olivia Putnal
No Gym Clothes Needed
Have you ever thought about all the ways you can burn calories without "exercising"? Your daily activities can be just as diet-friendly as working out, so on those days you can't make it to the gym, basic chores and favorite hobbies are great alternatives. We've rounded up 20 of the most unlikely ways to work off around 100 calories (based on a 150-lb woman), so pick your favorites for a burn you won't even feel.
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Squeeze in more workouts while multitasking with tips from our Work Out Anywhere video series.
Hit the Dance Floor
Get into the groove by dancing for 20 minutes at a moderate pace. For an added kick, choose up-tempo music-you'll get your heart racing without even realizing it.
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Neat and Tidy
Vacuum for a total of 25 minutes and you'll not only have a clean house, you'll also work your upper body, toning your shoulders and biceps as you push and pull the machine along the carpet.
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The Great Outdoors
Give your flower beds some love and burn off last night's dessert by gardening for 30 minutes. Weeding and planting seeds are particularly good ways to break a sweat.
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Crisp and Clean
In preparation for the week to come, spend 40 minutes ironing wrinkled clothes-a different way to let off a little steam.
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Head Outside
After the pretty leaves of autumn have fallen, tidy up the lawn by spending 40 minutes raking them up. Once you're done, bag the piles and bring them to the curb for extra strength training.
Photo: © Arielle Skelley/Getty Images
Super Suds
Wash your car for 30 minutes and you're sure to love the sparkle-not to mention the extra calories you've burned.
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Chore Time
Got 20 minutes? Spend it doing light chores, like sweeping the floors and dusting shelves, for a tidier home and a slimmer you.
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Shop Till You Drop
Forget lightening your wallet! Instead, apply the principle to your waistline by window shopping for 30 minutes. Of course, you could add in a little strength training, by carrying a few recent purchases around.
Photo: © David Lees/Getty Images
Satisfy Your Belly
Your tummy will benefit in more ways than one when you spend 40 minutes in the kitchen preparing a homemade meal. If you really want to work those arms, try some labor-intensive prep work like kneading dough, whipping cream or grinding spices with a mortar and pestle.
Photo: © Chris Clinton /Getty Images
Have a Little Fun
Grab a glove and head outside to play catch with the little ones for 35 minutes. Not only will you be the coolest mom in the neighborhood-you'll also be on your way to being the slimmest one. For an even better workout, get a little batting practice in, too!
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Belt It Out
Who says Rock Band is just for the kids? Pick your favorite tunes to sing for 50 minutes and you'll see why pop stars are so fit. Add in some patented dance moves to really get your heart pumping.
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Musical Number
Head to the piano and tickle the ivories for 40 minutes. You'll have a culturally and calorically stimulating time.
Photo: © Eric Savage/Getty Images
Relax and Rejuvenate
Pamper your husband by giving him a massage for 25 minutes and you'll be doing yourself a favor, too, by burning off some calories.
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Baby Bliss
Grab the stroller and take the baby on a 40-minute walk. You'll blast away any remaining pregnancy weight while she enjoys the fresh air. Try including some inclines in your route for stronger-and leaner-legs.
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Get Some Zzz's
Catch up on your sleep with a two-hour nap-whether you dream of exercising or not, you'll still be benefiting.
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Down the Lane
Head to the bowling alley to practice your game for 30 minutes and you'll strike out some extra calories.
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Heat It Up
Hit the sauna for 15 minutes after a good workout to sweat off even more inches.
Photo: © ZenShul/Frederic/Getty Images
Friendly Fido
Give your pup some attention-play fetch for 20 minutes and you'll both be better off afterward. Bring along water so the session can last even longer!
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Bath Time
After your fetching fun, spoil your four-legged friend with a 25-minute bath to burn even more calories.
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Fly High
Head to the beach or park with the kids so you can help them fly a kite for 20 minutes, and you'll soon feel the pounds soar away.
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Original article appeared on WomansDay.com.
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