My better half and I are four months into the married life, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked if things are different.

To my delight – or I suppose for some, dismay – I can proudly say, married life isn’t that much different, aside from remembering to refer to her relatives as in-laws. Heck, I’ve even gotten to the point of feeling weird when I’m not wearing my wedding ring. I honestly thought that would take longer.

At this point, we’ve been together long enough, I’d be really worried if things were drastically different. We’ve always divided responsibilities almost much on convenience and who happens to be in the apartment at the moment, rather than along the more traditional – and some would say antiquated – roles.

That’s to say, yes, I take out the trash, but if the bag is overflowing and I’m not around, she’s not incapable of doing it. Likewise, if the toilet is getting a little scary, I know how to clean it, no matter how much she tries to convince you otherwise.

But after reading about a recent study published by “Plos One,” an online publication that focuses on research of health and medicine, I might be so inclined to pick up some more chores around the house.

This study begins with a different study that was conducted in 2011, which found that occupation-related physical activity had declined over the last 50 years. With that, the authors of the study concluded that “daily occupation-related energy expenditure decreased by more than 100 calories” for both men and women.

There’s a problem, however, with looking at work-place activity for men and women over that long a period of time, particularly that, 50 years ago, there weren’t as many women working outside of the home as there are now.

So the authors of that 2011 study went back to work on another study, and this week, published their results looking at “women’s use of time and household management energy expenditure” over the last 45 years.

These results were similar to the results of the work-related study. According to the study, in 1965, the average woman spent almost 26 hours a week cleaning, cooking and doing laundry. In 2010, that average was down to 13.3 hours.

It doesn’t sound like much, but you’re on your feet for all three of those activities, which in itself is better for you than sitting on the couch.

So while it’s important to get up and move around while you’re at work, it’s equally as important to do the same at home.

And perhaps the next time the shower needs to be scrubbed, I won’t object so vehemently to doing it.

Joe Marchilena writes a weekly fitness column for Hampshire Hills. To find out more information about the “90 Day Commit to Get Fit” program, call 603-673-7123 or e-mail hhinfo@hampshirehills.com.

Newsletter