Energy - Worth Saving?

Leaf blowers and self-cleaning ovens, garage door openers and car washes. Just think of all the labor-saving devices that make your life easier - and more sedentary than ever!

By spending these "labor savings" on walking, bike riding or other physical activities, you could burn that same amount of energy (calories) you saved and net out even. But do you? On average, Americans spend 500 calories less per day than they did 50 years ago, which contributes to today's increasing obesity rates.
 
In honor of Labor Day, skip some of your typical labor savers this month and get the health benefits of moving more. Try some of these calorie-burning ideas...

•  Wash and wax your own car for an hour.
(Spend 280 more calories than using the car wash)

•  Rake your leaves.
(Spend 50 calories more for each half hour than with a leaf blower and it avoids noise pollution, too!)

•  Shop at the mall.
(Spend 210 calories more per hour by mall walking than with online shopping)

Source: 365 Days of Healthy Eating from the American Dietetic Association (Wiley 2004),
Roberta Larson Duyff, MS, RD, FADA, CFCS