Let's get physical!

These are some plausible daily activities of mine and the calories I burn doing them per hour. Your numbers will be a little different, depending on your weight- but what I find interesting is the comparison. Thank goodness all this housework is coming to good use!

sleeping 50

sitting/resting 57

reading 57

writing 57

studying 100

standing misc. 114

shopping 129

walking (2 mph) 151

housework 158

stretching 215

sex 230

walking (4 mph) 280

hiking 323

tennis (singles) 331

skiing (downhill) 475

Vinyasa yoga 475

climbing stairs 488

and some i don't do so much... but have been known to dabble in!

aerobics 381

bikram/hot yoga 381

running 6mph 547

elliptical 619

www.healthstatus.com

I like to live more like a 'french woman who doesn't get fat' and simply move a little more all the time (with bouts of tennis, walking, and yoga) rather than hitting the gym. I don't have a membership and I don't plan on getting one. Walking is the best way to get to know a city/neighborhood and to clear our minds or get our errands done. I mean, I'll take three hours of shopping over an aerobics class any day! I do like my occasional at-home video, though, and in case you haven't been reading- I'm a Yogini!

I do admit these numbers sure make the elliptical look tempting. I'll put it on my to-buy-when-I-own-a-house list. It's amazing how we all have these lists and then the day comes and we are like a deer in headlights. (Think wedding, packing for a big trip...) Today I am going to get a binder for all the magazine clippings for my future palace. There will also have to be lots of stairs! Did you see those numbers?

One of my favorite yoga instructors, Julie, with a rockin-hard body at ripe but undeterminable age said she stayed a mini bitty by using the stairclimber. Her husband considered the squat the grandfather of all exercises. And he didn't look so bad either.

I also know I could stand to sweat a little more. (Sooo good for the pores!)

Sweating flushes out toxins and disease, it is the body's natural way to heal. I notice much clearer skin the more I sweat. A Sauna session (about 30 minutes) burns about as many calories as a walk or jog- but don't get too excited it doesn't tone muscles or shed fat. I'm not going to lie, I'll be adding it to my regimen.

You must watch, and then grab two friends and do, this work-out video.

Amaze-balls.