Spring cleaning can be a tedious task, but, what if you could make it a health-enhancing workout? It can be hard to follow your doctor’s post bariatric surgery advice when you feel bogged down by household chores. Regular exercise is a vital part of any JSAPA Weight Loss Surgery program, and adjusting your spring cleaning routine is a great way to squeeze more physical activity in. Try out these ideas for turning cleaning into an energizing workout:

• Get an aerobic workout by cleaning at a brisk pace. Try playing some upbeat music and keep up with the beat.
• Exaggerate your movements. Pull hard when you yank those sheets off the bed. Instead of grabbing a stool, reach for that high shelf. Put each clean piece of laundry into the drawer separately so that you have to stretch and bend several times.
• Put some elbow grease into your scrubbing. Work your muscles hard while you wash floors, sinks, bathtubs and toilets.
• Get a more intense workout by washing your floor on hands and knees with a rag and bucket. Use circular movements to work the muscle groups in your arms and back.
• Vacuum your floor using large, sweeping back and forth movements. If you have or can borrow a heavy upright, borrow that for this chore to get a more intense workout.
• Add in outdoor chores for a refreshing change of pace. Raking, pulling weeds and mowing the lawn can all be great exercise. Do this early in the day so you don’t get worn out in the Jacksonville heat.
• Be sure to incorporate some sort of cool down. Play some music with a more leisurely pace, and use that time to do some final touches to finish up your cleaning.