Do you know how many calories you
burn wrapping Xmas presents?

Nicki Waterman's fun guide to Xmas fitness

By Nicki Waterman AT Thinking Slimmer we’ve always been the first to say shopping is good for you, but now we have the proof. Forget sweating it out on a treadmill – you can burn loads of calories by hitting your favourite High Street shops. The exercising potential of shopping will help you burn up at least 1,400 calories in one day! Make sure you’ve done all the housework before you go - it will you give your calorie burn a head-start and  you’ll probably be too exhausted to fit it in at the end of the day.

1. CHECK OUT LAST YEAR’S GOODIES

Whether it’s an oh-so-tasteful scheme in natural reds and greens, or a full-on shimmer-fest with plenty of gold, silver and spangles, pulling out last year’s Christmas decorations offers heaps of opportunities to burn some extra calories. First, there’s the mini mountaineering expedition into the loft to seek out the baubles (and while the ladder’s there, don’t miss the chance to spend a little while going up and down it to work those butt and leg muscles).

Calorie count: 135 an hour for pulling out old decorations.

2. ’TIS THE SEASON OF GOODWILL

While you’re up in the loft, why not pull out any old clothes or toys? When doing the shopping rounds for you and your friends, why not work a few charity shops into the route. Pile whatever you can find into big black bin liners and sling them over your shoulders as you march through the town centre.

Calorie count: 100 while walking and lugging the liners for 15 minutes

3. TAKE YOUR CHANCES

It’s now been proven that short bursts of activity spread throughout the day are just as effective as one long aerobic session when it comes to shedding weight. So stick on a pair of comfy, low-heeled shoes (around an inch is safe for your knees and ankles) and park on the far side of the car park (not forgetting to take the stairs instead of the lift ) or get off the bus a couple of stops early. Don’t feel intimidated by escalators either – they tend to have greater size steps which is a bonus when it comes to toning those legs.

Calorie count: 10 calories a minute for stair climbing.

4. WINDOW SHOPPING

Forget shopping in an indoor mall. You’ll burn at least 15% more calories shopping out and about in the fresh winter air; the body works additionally harder to maintain its temperature in outdoor conditions. Spend an hour checking out all there is to buy moving as quickly as possible. This might inspire you to buy those tricky Xmas gifts for those people who have everything. Don’t forget to carry a litre bottle of water with you to remain hydrated.

Calorie count: 400 an hour at least.

5. EXERCISING YOUR WALLET

Buy all your Christmas booze first and then get it back to the car before anything else. Ensure your shopping bags weigh roughly the same, so you don’t end up with one arm stronger than the other. Carrying these heavy loads will help you burn up to 30% more calories. Don’t be tempted to crack open any of the booze en route!

Calorie count: 250 per half hour.

6. HITTING THE HIGH STREET

Don’t shop without trying on at least five items. The effort of each change will burn crucial calories. For real calorie crunching potential hit the sales. The pushing and shoving – along with the adrenaline rush of grabbing that bargain before anyone else – will bring you to the peak of fitness in no time. To make the most of your time while queuing up, contract your abs and take four counts to turn your upper body to the left (focus on tightening the sides of your waist where the obliques are). Keep your hips pointing forward. Return to the centre in four counts and repeat to the right. Do two sets each side.

Calorie count: 164 per hour.

7. WORK FOR YOUR LUNCH

Find a sandwich shop at least 15 minutes away and walk briskly there to buy lunch. Stick to the fresh air though; after buying your food, avoid sitting down straight away. Go for a stroll and look for a park bench somewhere. If you can, try to find somewhere relaxing, a little away from the busy hassle of the shops. Having fresh air and giving yourself a fair chance to digest your lunch properly is just as important a part of any calorie burning regime as the exercise itself.

Calorie count: 90 for every fifteen minutes you spend walking rapidly.

8. DON’T BE A SCROOGE

We know how easy it is to buy all your friends and family the same presents and cards, but a truly personal touch can go a lot further than you might expect. By shopping around for different gifts in different places, you’ll see your generosity not go to waste, nor your lunch go to your waist.

Calorie count: At least 300 by the time you’ve picked up all those gifts and put them down again.

9. USE TWO SHOPPING BASKETS INSTEAD OF A TROLLEY

Treat yourself to a workout while strolling around the supermarket doing the Xmas food shop. Make sure the baskets are evenly laden with a maximum of 3-4kg in each one (a bag of sugar is 1kg), and don’t overload them or you could give yourself a back injury. Always bend from the knees and keep your back straight when you’re lifting them off the ground.

Calorie count: 200 for a 20-minute food shop.

10. MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TEA BREAK

The rush to get all our cards written, signed and into the postbox in time to ensure delivery before Christmas Day has become a familiar Yuletide tradition for most of us. Why not pick up a pen and start writing your cards whilst drinking a cup of green tea to boost your metabolism. It prevents fats from oxidising, and new research suggests that the antioxidants and caffeine in it work together to increase your fat-burning capacity.

Calorie count: Up to 75 calories per half hour of card writing.

AND FINALLY, WHEN YOU GET HOME…

Wrapping all those present you bought today is not only therapeutic, but also burns a few extra crucial calories.

Calorie count: 89 wrapping presents for one hour.