It’s Passover and almost Easter (“Peastover” in my family)
Holiday hosts are scurrying around cleaning, cooking, cleaning, cooking, and did I mention cleaning?
Lest you think your exercise routine is going to the matzah (or to chocolate eggs)…
Remember that many household chores burn ample calories. Here’s a list:
- Cleaning (general): 5-6 cals per minute
- Cooking: 3-4 cals per minute
- Dancing: 4-5 cals per minute (what? Maybe you are dancing while dusting?)
- Doing Dishes: 2 cals per minute
- Folding Laundry: 3 cals per minute
- Carrying Laundry Up Stairs: 11-12 cals per minute
- Ironing: 3 cals per minute (use those arms!)
- Moving Furniture: 7 cals per minute
- Scrubbing Floors: 4-5 cals per minute
- Singing: 3 cals per minute (what?? Doesn’t everyone sing while cleaning?)
- Sweeping: 4-5 cals per minute
- Vacuuming: 4 cals per minute
- Hiding Easter Eggs: 3 cals per minute (not on the list, but fun!)
Now… There is much debate about these activities being on our PATH list and conversion tool. Some people write to us unhappy, saying it’s too easy for people to get credit for things they do every day — that it’s not hard work. These noble exercise purists should be lauded for their dedication. Nevertheless, we all must “start where we are” (title of a popular book by renowned Buddhist nun, Pema Chodron).
For beginners, cooking may be more than that person has done in many days, weeks or months. Credit for moving forward is worthy, in our book. Any jumping-off-point has value simply because jumping off happens. Ramping up to the launch pad takes mighty effort. For anyone who has strayed from a desired PATH, you are well aware of the painstaking process.
For those beyond beginner level, those well in flight, be satisfied that you are free of the launch pad and focus on your journey forward.
The PEASTOVER lesson: Take credit for active movement you do outside of your normal daily routine. In the grander scheme of life: take credit for every action of yours that is out of the ordinary. Hmmmm, I was going to edit that sentence but realized I really meant exactly what I said I liked it. Use your strengths in new and extraordinary ways, and happiness will follow — and calories.
Chag Samay-ah! (happy holidays in Hebrew) and Happy Easter!