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Workout with household chores

With no househelp during this period of lockdown, one has no choice but to cook, clean the dishes, sweep and swop the house

Suddenly everyday feels like a Sunday, but you don’t want to be dealing with the nightmare called obesity at the end of quarantine life.

Household chores are the new gym equipment. Katrina Kaif and Shilpa Shetty have traded weights for the broom, Kartik Aryan is doing the dishes and Hina Khan is mopping the floor.

Keeping the house clean is no easy task, so how much of a workout is this and how do we not forget gym life? Fitness experts Dinaz Vervatwala and Delhi based Sumaya Dalmia tell us how to embrace our inner Kanta bai and get a work out from it.

Cleaning and tending to the garden for these last few days. This lockdown time has made me realise and remember that having help in any form is one of those few things we should always appreciate. Our lives become so much easier because of all our house help/staff but unfortunately, sometimes we only realise this in times like these. Today, I’m grateful for every single person who has made life easier for us in their own way. It is because of them that we can enjoy the gift of time to go out and pursue our dreams. When life gets back to normal, don’t forget to let them know that you value them. . . . . . #20DaysOfGratefulness #SwasthRahoMastRaho #GetFit2020 #stayhome #staysafe #blessed #gratitude #quarantinelife #selfisolation

A post shared by Shilpa Shetty Kundra (@theshilpashetty) on

“Do your household chores without complaining. You won’t feel lethargic and at the end of the day the body will be active,” says Dinaz.

Household chores means, “Being at it for 45 minutes doing your bed, dusting and sweeping, swopping around the house. And when you are swopping do it the old fashioned way by squatting down,” advises Sumaya. This will burn around 200-300 calories.

#NoOneInNoOneOut since we have stopped calling our domestic help due to Covid-19.. Mommy says (Ab khud Kaam karo, I will only cook) And This video is for one purpose only, entertainment entertainment entertainment for us and you all. A tribute to mine and all the mothers out there who do all the house chores day in and day out without a complaint. And being a creative person with a lot of free time .. I will make sure that I keep you guys entertained even if I am quarantined.. #NoVirusCanStopCreativity this is my take with a lil tadka of entertainment on how we should help them in these times specially because now we’re home and well rested.. Also made me realise how difficult it is and yet she does it with perfection and in ease every single day.

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Don’t complain about doing chores because they will keep you agile. “We lead sedentary lives and as we grow older, we are less agile, not so-well balanced. So, by doing the dishes and other chores at home you get your joints working right and remain agile,” points out Sumaya.

Another basic thing that we don’t get to do is walking. Take this opportunity to get your steps in at home.

“Run around the house or jog from the bedroom to the kitchen or sitting area to another part. If not running just make sure you are moving from one room to the other and not sitting still,” advises Dinaz.

A bare minimum of 5000 steps a day are a must according to her. For Sumaya, it’s between 7000-10,000 thousand.

But if you are missing a rigorous gym workout and want to do something more strenuous, play with your kids. Their activities count as proper workouts, reveals Sumaya.

“When you are playing catch with them, it’s sprinting and stopping. Doing the hoola hoop is another great exercise,” according to Sumaya. So follow their lead and let them train you.

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