Burn calories while you shop

Did you know that you can actually burn calories while you go about your shopping? 

Yes, shopping can actually be good for your fitness - as if you even needed another reason to go shopping! 

You might be dreading visiting the mall this festive season, but this just might make you stop procrastinating. You can burn nearly 500 calories after three hours of shopping, according to an article by Women’s Health & Fitness magazine. 

Image: honeybearlane.com

Foods you can burn off after three hours of shopping 

• Big Mac burger 
• A slice of carrot cake 
  
• Six Ferrero Rocher hazelnut chocolate pieces
  

Yes, ladies, during a few hours of shopping you’re likely to take more than 7,000 steps - which explains those sore feet and calves. At least you can take comfort in knowing that despite the festive season mall chaos, at least you will be burning a few calories. 

Here are a few tips to help you burn more calories while shopping:

• Ditch the lift and escalator I know what you’re thinking: why would I want to lug my heavy shopping bags up the stairs and risk sweating up a storm? Well, hello, how else do you expect to burn those extra calories? And besides, moms with trollies and teens playfully touching each other’s bottoms will be congesting the lift and escalator area anyway
• Walk a little faster No, you certainly do not need to start race walking in the mall, because a) you will look ridiculous, and b) it is totally unnecessary! Just pick up the pace a little, as a leisurely stroll will burn calories much slower
• “Queue-ercise” Yes, I totally just made that word up, and yes it will help you burn calories. Don’t just stand in those long lines cursing yourself for doing your shopping at the last minute. Do a little exercise while standing in the queue – hello, “queue-ercise”. It’s the perfect time to work on those calf-raises or use your shopping bags to do some weight lifting. NB: Don’t forget your comfy shoes or trainers! Happy shopping :)