Getting fit this summer can be fun. Here are some suggestions for calorie-burning activities:

Gardening

Burn calories while beautifying the neighborhood or growing vegetables. All that stooping, weeding, raking and digging works off about 256 calories an hour. Gardening is particularly good for toning arms, back and leg muscles.

Painting

Summer is a great time to put a fresh coat of paint on your house or fence. Painting for an hour can burn around 288 calories and will help tone your arms and core muscles.

Cleaning gutters

While you’re sweating up there cleaning out the gutters, remember you’re also burning about 320 calories per hour. This chore is good for toning shoulders, upper back, arms and legs.

Swimming

Swimming is a favorite summertime activity. You can burn an average of 450 calories an hour swimming freestyle laps at a moderate pace. Even treading water burns significant calories at an average of 195 per hour.

Lawn darts

Who says burning calories has to involve sweat? Work off calories at a cookout by participating in a lawn dart challenge. You can burn about 95 calories an hour with this leisurely backyard classic.

Sources: www.fitday.com; www.fitmagazine.com