The truth is that most people don’t like the gym and end up becoming irregular attendees or just abandoning their membership completely. In spite of what people might think, the problem isn’t losing the calories, but rather the form of exercise involved. To help people that are struggling with maintaining a healthy exercise regimen, here are eight hobbies that anyone can adapt to burn calories and enjoy themselves at the same time.
Hiking
If you can go on small hiking trips even once a week, that is an excellent way to burn off excess calories and have an adventure at the same time. It’s particularly applicable if you live in the vicinity of a hiking trail, but even if you don?t, feel free to take a small drive if you have to.
Dancing
Dancing makes you burn calories like crazy, so if you have a knack for it, do join a dancing club. Aside from being extremely fun, it’s also a social activity where you can meet new people and make new friends, therefore, adding an extra incentive for you to not skip it. Even if you are not into dancing, there’s no harm in learning something new and it often works better as it gives direction to your efforts as well.
Gardening
Gardening is not only a good way to burn calories, it’s one of the most rewarding hobbies that one can adopt. While all the digging, trimming, snipping, planting, etc., will keep you sweating, the promise of seeing your labor come to fruition in the form of a lush and beautiful garden is well worth it. Just make sure that you invest in some greenhouse kits for the winter as well, to keep the blood pumping and the plants growing, even when it?s snowing outside.
Martial Arts
No other exercise is cooler than learning a form of the various kinds of martial arts that are there and unless you have a physical problem that prohibits you from learning one, there’s no reason why you should not know at least one form of the many fighting techniques available. It doesn’t have to be a full-contact sport like boxing or Muay Thai (although they are two of the most effective fighting techniques in real life scenarios) because Kung Fu, Karate, Capoeira, etc., can be learned without getting bruised in every class!
Walking
It’s surprising how simple and underappreciated walking is, in spite of it being one of the best exercises for people of all ages. You will be amazed at how many good things can happen to your health if you just take a walk for half-an-hour every day. It doesn’t require you to be super fit or super strong and even people with heart diseases and breathing problems can take walks without any issues. It may not seem like much of a hobby, but you can turn it into one. Put on your headphones and go for a relaxing walk into the nearby woods regularly for a few weeks and it will soon become something for you to look forward to after a busy day at the office.
Playing with Your Dog
If you don’t have a dog yet, adopt one of an energetic breed such as the Jack Russell Terrier or the Border Collie. If you already have one, take him/her out to the park and spend time actually playing with your pet. Instead of just throwing the ball and playing fetch with your dog, participate actively with the pooch so that you get the exercise you need as well, alongside having a lot of fun.
Biking
Whether you bike to your office or take your old cycle out for a spin on the dirt road, it’s simply one of the best ways to stay fit, build endurance and strengthen your lower body and core. Not to mention, biking saves you gas money and they are the wiser choice when it comes to helping the environment stay just that bit less polluted.
Swimming
Swimming is the perfect form of exercise that is suitable even for asthma patients and those with arthritis or other bone and joint issues. There is a reason why all professional swimmers have such amazing bodies and while casual swimming may not exactly sculpt your body like theirs, regular sessions will definitely keep you fit.
Not every activity mentioned on this list will appeal to everyone, but as long as everyone finds just one that does, it should be enough. Maybe you are already engaged in one of these and that should help you understand why the exercise itself isn’t a problem, as long as it’s something that you like doing.
