No gym needed? Singer Song Ga-in says housework helped with weight loss
Singer Song Ga-in / Cpatured from YouTube
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Singer Song Ga-in drew attention for an unexpected “daily-life health hack.”
In a recent video uploaded to her YouTube channel, Song showed herself preparing for a bazaar by sorting through piles of belongings stacked throughout her home. “I cleared out everything in the house,” she said as she began a major cleanup project. She added, “From the moment I woke up, I sorted things from 10 a.m. until midnight every day.”
She emphasized just how physically demanding the work was, saying, “I’m honestly surprised I didn’t get body aches.”
What especially caught viewers’ attention was her comment about changes in her body shape. “The puffiness just melts away,” Song said, describing the effects she personally noticed. As the video referred to cleaning as a “diet hack,” it highlighted how repetitive household chores alone can lead to noticeable physical changes.
Without setting aside time specifically for exercise, constant movement throughout daily life steadily increases energy expenditure. Repeatedly walking around the house while organizing, lifting and relocating items keeps the body active.
Even light cleaning can burn around 70–110 kcal in 30 minutes, while mopping floors or organizing clutter can burn even more. When these activities continue throughout the day, the accumulated calorie burn may contribute to changes in body shape over time.
Tidying a home involves more than simply walking around. Lifting, carrying, stacking and rearranging objects engages both the upper and lower body, increasing physical exertion.
Because multiple movements are combined together rather than repeating a single action, calorie burn can rise significantly. Handling heavy boxes or belongings repeatedly over long periods may increase energy expenditure even further. Everyday chores such as washing dishes and organizing the kitchen are also known to burn roughly 100–140 calories.
When it comes to daily movement, duration may matter more than intensity. Even relatively light activities can greatly increase total energy expenditure if sustained over long periods.
For example, organizing clothes or changing bedding can burn roughly 130–180 calories in just 30 minutes. Continue those activities for two to three hours, and the total can reach around 350–550 calories.
A lifestyle that involves staying active throughout the day naturally raises overall activity levels, and that cumulative effect can contribute to health. Keeping the body moving may help improve circulation, especially after sitting for long periods.
A well-organized space can also simplify daily movement patterns and help maintain a more stable routine. Those changes may positively influence eating habits by reducing irregular eating patterns and supporting a more balanced lifestyle overall.
This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top health care and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.