Researchers have found that by cleaning our homes we not only walk more than 22 miles a year but for the fitness conscious mums amongst you the good news is that keeping a house tidy annually burns off the same number of calories found in 603 glasses of wine, 192 bar of chocolate, 369 cans of fizzy drinks, 146 cheeseburgers or 394 packets of crisps.

Cleaning the toilets and scrubbing kitchen floors may not be your ideal pastime but just think, you could burn off approximately 68 calories by making a bed and over 187 calories by mowing the lawn; your whole body gets a good workout too without even leaving home.

Tackling the housework is a great way to burn calories. But don’t forget the more effort you put in, the greater the benefit. Polishing, dusting, mopping and sweeping are great for keeping arms shapely. Bending and stretching are good for toning thighs and improving flexibility, and running up and down the stairs as you tidy is a good aerobic workout.

So why not read our top tips for the best housework workout

• Try using a wax polish in a tin rather than a spray as you’ll need to rub much harder to get a nice shine on your furniture.
• Don't leave things to pile up at the bottom of the stairs – take individual items upstairs as soon as you need to.
• Keep the laundry basket on the floor when you’re ironing so you’ll constantly have to bend and stretch to reach the clothes.
• Get cooking - stirring, whisking and beating all burn more calories than simply heating up a ready meal in a microwave oven.
• Stick on your favourite music and turn up the volume – it will help you polish and sweep that little bit harder
• Picking up things on the floor give you the perfect opportunity for doing squats.
• When cleaning windows or cleaning cobwebs from high indoor areas you can really work the shoulder muscles
• Try pelvic muscle exercises by tightening the stomach muscles, stand up straight and lunge when vacuuming the floors
• Outdoor  chores give you the perfect opportunity to do some deep breathing and make the most of the fresh air. Oxygenate yourself and really get your body breathing in.

And if all else fails you can always try kissing.  According to the 1991 Kinsey Institute Report on Sex, a passionate kiss burns 6.4 calories per minute