Many everyday household chores and activities are actually calorie-burning, heart-pumping ways to get fit. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, these activities will burn about 150 calories a day, or 1,000 calories a week:

• Washing and waxing a car for 45 to 60 minutes
• Washing windows or floors for 45 to 60 minutes
• Gardening for 30 to 45 minutes
• Pushing a stroller 1.5 miles for 30 minutes
• Raking leaves for 30 minutes
• Walking 2 miles in 30 minutes (15 minutes per mile)
• Doing water aerobics for 30 minutes
• Bicycling 4 miles in 15 minutes
• Shoveling snow for 15 minutes
• Climbing steps for 15 minutes

Reviewed by Francine Kaufman, MD. 4/08