Stairway to Heaven... or at least a great butt

Accidental exercise. No, it's not an oxymoron. You can actually get exercise throughout the day (workday too) even if you sit at a desk all day. I've scoured St. Petersburg, FL for different and creative ways to keep your metabolism cookin' throughout the dreaded nine to five day.

1. Park your car in the farthest spot from the entrance or on the highest floor of the parking garage and walk or climb.

Even though it's hot or cold outside or you're tired or you just don't feel like it, this form of accidental exercise burns an extra 100 calories per day! Taking that extra 10 minutes a day to walk up the stairs to your car can be that little extra push for your total number of calories burned per day.

2. Walk to places 1 mile or less distance away.

If your grocery store or any errands you need to run is a few blocks away, drop the keys and put on your tennis shoes. Especially with the weather cooling down (in Florida anyway), walking is a great way to relieve stress and burn extra calories. PLUS, a benefit of picking up the things you need and carrying them back adds resistance to your walk. It's almost as if you were carrying 5-10 lb. weights home.

3. Clean the house... with your favorite music blasting

Have you ever had one of those moments, alone where the music is loud and you are singing the lyrics at the top of your lungs? Well, add the small amount of cardio from vacuuming, dusting, or mopping the floors and you have a workout. Housecleaning for 45 minutes will burn roughly 300 calories, depending on your current weight. Add the music to pump you up and who knows, your house may be spic and span after an hour of cleaning!

4. Start caring about your yard... or garden.

Getting outside will not only improve your mood, but yardwork is a great upper and lower body workout. Mowing the lawn for just 45 minutes (which I know I do at my house) burns an average of 250 calories depending on your speed. The key here is to get a push-mower rather than the easy sit down kind. You will clean up your yard and your health after this outside workout.
5. Carry your kids under the age of 3, or babysit!

My good friend recently had a baby girl. I lifted her up and after holding her for about 5 minutes I realized that my arms are starting to feel it. I swear, biceps, triceps and shoulders all felt the weight of this baby. This website gives great ideas to workout and have fun with your baby. If you are not a mom, then offer to babysit for a friend! Not only would mom most likely be utterly greatful for some "me" time, but you will get an upper body workout too. Just walking while pushing a stroller for 30 minutes will burn 150 more calories.


I know it's hard to get motivated some days, but trying to incorporate a few accidental exercise moves in your day will help keep you alert and multiply your endorphins to make your happier through the day.