Having all the fun and still being healthy!

So, I've noticed my last couple of posts, though they are AWESOME (how can they not be), they are all a little bit on the.... not so fun side. I do my best to get some fun into the posst but those were some harder topics. So how about something completely different!

Their are those who call me.... Tim?

This week my post is all about fun! Working out can be a lot of not-fun (it is called WORKING out after all). So what can we do to make working out fun? Here are a list of my personal favorite suggestions on how to burn calories and still have a great time doing it! So, to start off with...

Tennis

I am no tennis expert, but I don't think the spikes can be used on a regulation racket. Just saying.

This is one of my personal favorite sports to play. The great thing about it is that you can build up a great sweat, work out really hard, but those times come in short 30-60 second bursts. You get to have decent breaks but still work your tail off! On average, playing a singles match of tennis burns between 900 and 1300 calories per hour depending on how hard you play and your personal body. Bonus Tip: If you want to get the hardest work out, play someone who is better than you. You WILL lose the game, but you will get a MUCH better workout than you will if you can easily win.

Swimming

There is a reason I said swimming and NOT diving #FaceBoard

I am a fish. I love the water so much so this one is a no brainer for me. If you are lucky enough to live in a place where you have access to a pool easily, then it's not only a great workout (between 500-1100 KCal/hour at a medium pace) but it is also a full body work out that strengthen EVERYTHING. You build core strength, you have resistance training for arms and legs, you build up your stamina, and it is low impact so those of you with joint issues can work out without (or at least less) pain. It is also a great way to keep cool even during LONG workout sessions. How can you go wrong? The only way that you can make this even better would be a day at the:

Water Park

Please do not bring dogs to the waterpark. As adorable as they are, they pee everywhere. I mean EVERYWHERE.

My favorite part of the water park is that it is a deceptively good workout. If you spend 8 hours at a waterpark, you will inevitably spend 3-4 hours standing in lines. However, you also then have to imagine that the remaining 4-5 hours you are swimming (see above) walking, climbing stairs, diving, screaming (which is still getting your heart rate up!) and having fun. A full day at a water park (depending on your personal day) can burn from 500 to over 2000 KCal! All of that time you are not even aware you are working out. Bonus Tip: Don't waste all the time you are standing in line! If you are the type of person who doesn't mind looking like a weirdo (that's totally me) then do some jumping jacks, knee lifts, up-downs, or whatever other activities you like. That can EASILY double your burned calories if you use the whole line time. If you prefer to be a bit more subtle then do calf lifts, balance on one foot, if you have kids pick them up and set them down (oh yeah... use your kids for curling, you will work out and look like an AWESOME parent!).

WARNING: The Waterpark is a GREAT work out, as long as you don't ruin it on deep fried everything, and ice cream (ESPECIALLY don't do the deep fried ice cream!) If you make 2 bad meal choices (or one BIG bad meal choice) you can undo ALL the hard work you did and more. Do your best to find better options!

Video Games

I do not promise you will be as happy as these people.... then again they ARE paid to look happy.

As a gamer and a huge nerd the idea of ANYTHING being able to use video games makes me very excited. Exercising is no exception to this rule. Their are many physical video games that can help you burn a few calories. The Nintendo Wii is one of the better systems for this because of all of the exercise games that come native (Wii Fit, Wii Sports and more). Many of the Wii games will burn anywhere from 250 to over 400 calories an hour! That's not bad at all! However, if you are in the mood to REALLY play a game that will kick you right in the calories, then pick up Dance Dance Revolution (or go to your local arcade). Playing DDR on difficult will burn up to 900 calories an hour! That is the same as most intense exercise clases like Zumba or vigorous running/biking! Plus, you get the added benefit of learning some sweet dance moves, and who doesn't want sweet dance moves, am I right?

Se.... umm... "Between the Sheets Tango"

This censor brought to you by the letters T, A, and D.

So it is no surprise that THIS made it on to the list. However, it is something that most people tend to forget is an actual workout. It improves cardio, it is a full body activity, helps relieve stress, and is all around good for mental health. It also improves your body's immune system and can even increase your life depending on which articles you read. That being said, the straight numbers say that a normal round of "good times" including foreplay and intercourse can burn anywhere from 150 to 250 calories an hour. A little bit of bad news for the ladies though, you will burn about 15-10% less calories as men do during sex. Sorry. Bonus Tip: Depending on how adventurous and open you and your partner are, trying different positions (especially standing/one person being carried) can drastically increase that number. You can also include exercises into the act itself. Think of the possibilities involved with using push-ups, squats, and planking just to name a few!

So there you go! Five ways that you can trick yourself into getting exercise without thinking it's really a work out. What are some of your favorite ways to hide your hard work in fun? Leave your tips, comments, and questions below. Also, if you have any suggestions on future posts leave them in the comments as well.

Only kinda working out,

~ Guppy

As always, thanks to HK and ED for doing the REAL heavy lifting on this blog!