9 ways to exercise and get your outdoor chores done

Make the most of the fresh air by taking your fitness routine outdoors. Here are a few chores you can do around your home that will not only clean up your space, but keep you in shape.

Make a list of every yard and outdoor chore that needs to be done around your house. Break them down into 30-minute jobs ("Mow front yard" and "Mow backyard," for instance) and write them down in your calendar. You're more likely to keep appointments with yourself if you write them down.

As kids, there was no better household chore to tackle in the dead of summer than washing the family car. You got a chance to cool off with spray from the hose and goof around with your siblings. It can be fun for the whole family to join in. And considering the price of a professional wash, it's a real money saver, too!

Many of us who will get through the winter just fine with an old-fashioned, broad-bladed snow shovel. Your shoulder and arm muscles will get quite a workout. If that's too much of a challenge, use the snow blower on the driveway, but switch to a shovel for the sidewalk and front steps. Shovelling can be strenuous, so check with your doctor before digging yourself out.

Gardening and other yard work can be tough on your back. When you need to lift something, stand close to it and bend at the knees to pick it up, keeping your back straight. That way, your legs are getting a good workout, and you won't strain your back. Another way to protect your back is to carry a small stool with you to sit on while weeding.

Unless you have a gigantic yard, a power-driven string trimmer is probably more than you need. Instead, tame the unruly grass blades that border your flower bed with a spring-loaded hand trimmer. Just be sure to keep the blades sharp, the mechanism lubricated and wear work gloves to prevent blisters.

Do your ears and your neighbours a favour and cut back on your leaf blower use. If you have so many leaves you can't handle them with a rake alone, walk the perimeter of your yard with the leaf blower and move them toward the centre of the lawn. Then complete the job with your rake. You'll still work up a sweat and burn nearly 300 calories per hour.

You don't have to push very hard to guide a self-propelled non-riding mower. But the walking will provide a nice aerobic workout, especially compared to a riding lawn mower.

Don't let the firewood folks deliver a cord of split logs to your backyard. That's robbing you of great arm, shoulder and back exercise. Starting in midsummer, chop your own wood for half an hour every weekend. By the time snow falls, your upper body will be toned and you'll have the fuel to keep your home toasty.

Take down that mailbox that's right outside your front door — that's not getting you any exercise. Install your mailbox either at the very end of your driveway and walk out for your mail each day. Once you're off your driveway, you may be inspired to take a turn around the block.