Small Exercises You Can Do Around the House to Lose Weight

You'll never lose weight if you don't get moving, and the more you can exercise, the faster your weight loss will go. But if you're new to fitness, have injuries or pain or just don't have much time, hitting the gym for an hour or engaging in a long and complex workout routine might not be an option. Although you'll lose weight more slowly with small, easy exercises, you'll still be burning calories and slowly easing your body into shape.

Cardiovascular Exercise

• Cardiovascular exercise is an important weapon in your weight-loss arsenal because it burns more calories than strength training. It will also help keep your heart strong. The key with cardio is to get your heart pounding and several groups of muscles involved while sustaining your workout for several minutes. Cleaning your house at a vigorous pace -- by mopping, vacuuming or sweeping -- can give you a burst of cardio. Playing a game of tug of war or chase with your pets can get you running around the house and increase your heart rate, and walking or running up stairs can give you many of the same benefits as running on a treadmill or stair climber.

Strength Training

• Strength training can help keep your muscles healthy and even reduce your risk of osteoporosis. You don't have to invest in weights or a gym membership, though. Soup cans can be all you need. Try doing biceps curls while holding a soup can in your hand, or revving up the intensity of your workout by holding canned food in each hand as you run or walk. Lifting items around your house -- always with your legs bent and your spine straight -- can also boost your muscle strength.

Stretching

• Stretching can help keep you flexible, making it easier to work out and even easing muscle pain. You can do simple yoga poses -- such as Child's pose, Warrior pose or Downward-Facing Dog -- without any equipment. You can stretch your calves by looping a towel under your feet with your legs extended outward and gently pulling toward your body, and your arms and shoulders can stretch in a doorframe. Simply stand in the doorway with one arm on the outside of the door and your elbows bent. Lean into the door but away from your arm, then repeat again, this time straightening your arm for a stretch farther down in your arm.

Calisthenics

• Calisthenics such as crunches, situps and pushups can help you develop muscle strength and endurance. Try installing a pullup bar in a doorway in your house. If you want something easier than traditional calisthenics, try standing up straight then slowly raising your arms. Then bend your elbows with your hands facing up and slowly bring your elbows together. Next, try leg lifts. You can lie on the floor and lift your legs one by one, or stand up and slowly lift each leg off the ground.