Burn 150 Calories an Hour With Our Holiday Shopping Workout!
By Jenny Everett, SELF magazine
Holiday shopping is actually quite physical -- you're carrying heavy stuff, walking a lot, darting from store to store trying to get everything you need before closing time.
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In fact, you can burn more than 150 calories as you finish off your list! No wonder we find ourselves wiping sweat from our brow in J. Crew.
According to New York City personal trainer Jenny Skoog, you can also strengthen and tone your muscles on your next shopping expedition. Here are some of her great tips for turning mall-walking into a total body workout:
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1. Park in the very last spot.
Leave your coat in the car, and you'll sprint into the store because you're so cold!
2. Get an ab workout while you pay.
While the clerk is ringing you up, engage your abs as though someone is about to punch you in the stomach. Alternate lifting your left and right foot off the ground for 30 seconds each. The balance challenge makes your abs work even harder!
3. Hang onto heavy bags.
No making runs to the car. Instead, carry the bags around the shopping center or mall, occasionally bending your elbows 90 degrees to strengthen your biceps.
4. Skip the escalator.
And when taking the stairs, skip steps on the way up to activate your glutes and perk up your bum.
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5. Do mall ballet.
Walk from store-to-store on your toes to strengthen and tone your calves.
6. Side step in the lot.
When you're done shopping, fire up those inner and outer thighs by running sideways to the car.
7. Finish off strong.
When you get home, hide the gifts, then get down and do a couple of sets of 15 crunches. You'll feel like you've been to the gym!
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Photo Credit: Condé Nast Digital Studios
