Sponsored by LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke's employee health promotion program, Eat Wise and Exercise is a 10-week program from January 14 through March 23, 2008 — during the program you'll receive useful and practical information to improve your diet and exercise, and LIVE FOR LIFE coaches will keep you motivated.

LIVE FOR LIFE at Duke
Box 3200 DUMC
04290 Red Zone
Durham, NC 27710
Phone: (919) 684-3136
Fax: (919) 681-0555
lflprogm@mc.duke.edu

Duke Human Resources

 
 

Lifetime Leisure Activities

Lifetime Leisure Activities

For some of us, recreation and leisure activities are a part of our daily lives. For others, such activities are non existent, but it is possible to make time for leisure activities, and the benefits are numerous. Leisure encompasses a broad range of activities and some forms are more active than others. While some people may prefer to read a book, others like to hike up a mountain. Whatever it may be, the main goal of leisure time is to do something that you enjoy.

Leisure and exercise frequently overlap — sometimes your leisure activity is a form of exercise. The more you enjoy an activity, the more likely you are to stick with it. Also, if you have children or other young relatives, try to share your leisure activity with them. Children are more likely to start and maintain a healthy lifestyle if they are shown the importance of it at an early age.

Find a Leisure Activity

Below are suggestions for fun and healthy leisure activities, including the calories they burn per hour.

Activity Weight and calories burned per hour
   120 lbs  140 lbs  160 lbs  180 lbs
Basketball  452  528  600  678
Bowling  72  84  96  114
Cycling (10 MPH)  330  384  438  510
Dancing (aerobic)  444  516  588  666
Dancing (social)  174  198  222  252
Gardening  300  354  402  450
Golf (walk/carry clubs)  276  324  372  420
Golf (power cart)  126  150  168  192
Hiking  270  312  360  402
Jogging  558  648  744  834
Running  684  792  906  1020
Skiing (cross country)  648  726  804  882
Skiing (down hill/water)  342  390  456  510
Swimming (moderate crawl)  468  540  618  696
Tennis  360  414  474  534
Walking  390  456  522  582
Weight Training  396  462  522  588