By Patricia L. Garcia
Whether it’s yard work, house work or a good ol’ sweatfest while working out to a DVD, I’ve always got my handy phone on me to keep tab of the calories I’ve burned throughout the day. (Yard work and house work totally count as daily exercise!) If you’ve resolved to get in shape this year, there are easy ways to do so in your new-home community.
So, this year, let’s use our homes and communities to get physical! Here’s how a new home can help you get fit in 2015:
The New-Home Advantage
Fitness Centers
Are you motivated only when working out in groups? A fitness center in a new-home community means you don’t have to purchase expensive equipment to get your workout on. But, it also means you may have access to group classes or advice from other folks in the community who are working out.
Aquatics Center/Swimming Pool
If activities such as running are too much for you due to stress on bones, joints or disabilities, try swimming or water aerobics. Swimming provides a whole-body workout that’s not stressful on joints. And, the best part of all is that there’s no special equipment that’s really required.
Walking Trails
Green spaces and walking trails can be found in many new home communities, providing residents with access to nature and fresh air. But, the benefit of walking is good for you too. Walking for just 30 minutes can burn 120 calories or more. So, why not enjoy a nature-filled walk around the neighborhood each day?
Community Centers
Many new home communities have community centers where residents can enjoy community events, meet their neighbors or simply lounge around. When talking about health and wellness, it’s important to think about physical activities and equally important to think about mental wellness. Studies have shown that social connections — or our social capital — have positive benefits to our health. Social capital helps build trust and community amongst neighbors, but also serves as a way for people to stay healthy through relationships. So, take advantage of you community center to not only meet new people, but to help increase mental wellness.
Be sure to talk to your new home sales consultant to see what other activities your new community offers to help you get and stay fit.
If You’ve Yet To Move
If you’ve yet to move into your new home, there’s still plenty you can do to stay fit without having to invest in a pricey gym membership or home equipment. Sure, you can purchase a DVD and some dumbbells and get to work.
But, as mentioned above, any sort of movement is good for your health. Gardening and yard work is good for you because you’re getting outdoors. But, have you ever noticed how hauling bags of soil from one side to the yard to the other can get you breathing a little harder? Digging holes for new plants is tough too. Here’s how many calories you can burn through simple yard work:
- Raking (30 minutes): 120 calories
- Gardening (includes activities such as pulling weeds and planting flowers): 200-400 calories per hour
- Mowing: 250-350 calories per hour
And don’t forget housework. Sweeping, dusting and moving furniture around requires you to use your muscles (sweeping and mopping is both an upper and lower body workout!), while activities such as washing dishes prevent you from sitting for long periods of time.
- Sweeping and mopping: 240 calories per hour
- Washing dishes (22 minutes): 88 calories
- Scrubbing the tub (15 minutes): 90+ calories
When it comes to finding fun and easy ways to get fit in 2015, don’t overlook your home or new-home community, which can offer diverse activities to meet the physical needs of many people.
Patricia L. Garcia is content manager for NewHomeSource, where you can search for and get information on new homes and new construction communities. You can find her on Google+.