When the day is full of to-do lists and high stress levels, squeezing in a workout may be the last thing on your mind. Unfortunately, skimping on the workouts can quickly turn into a lifestyle that leads to weight gain, poor muscle tone and low energy levels. One of the easiest ways to combat the inevitable is to add just 20 to 30 minutes of focused exercises into your day. Still not convinced you can do it? Pick up some resistance bands and you'll be well on your way!

Resistance bands are easy to pack and stow away in your desk at the office, and you can use them virtually anywhere. They're a convenient alternative to dumbbells and you can still get a great workout from a few reps using major muscle groups. These bands look like giant rubber bands and come in an array of colors. You can tie them to a doorknob to turn your door into an instant weight-training machine, step down on them and lift them over your head to imitate the movements of an overhead press, or use them to perform more challenging squats and lunges.

Resistance bands are lightweight and portable, so plan to tote these along in your tote bag or work bag with ease. You can use the simple variety that are just basic bands, or go for the premium type that include safety straps (so you don't have to worry about slipping).

A few things to remember when strength training with resistance bands:

Always make sure the bands are tied securely around the object, or you risk hurting yourself
Stretch briefly before and after (sans resistance bands) so you don't shock your muscles into action
Watch your breathing, just as you would if you were lifting weights at the gym
Make sure your hands aren't wet or sweaty, or you risk losing your grip on the bands
Look for different ways to perform your usual gym workouts such as squats, lunges, overhead presses, bicep curls and tricep curls.

There are dozens of exercises you can do with resistance bands, and they're among the best workout tools to pack and take along on any busy day. Squeeze a resistance band workout into your busy day so you don't have to worry about piling on the pounds when there's no time for the gym!

It's a well known fact that adding small segments of physical activities to the day will keep your metabolism roaring and ward off a few extra pounds. Experts recommend brief speed walking sessions after lunch and a quick round of weights in the early a.m. If you can't remember to add these activities to your schedule, there's another way to get on the mega calorie burn, and it's as simple as picking up the vacuum cleaner.

Common household chores such as vacuuming, dusting the living room and mopping the kitchen floor give all your major muscle groups a mini workout; as you tighten up those abs to get to those hard-to-reach places and turn yourself into a mean, cleaning machine, you can burn off hundreds of calories per hour. Here are just a few chores and activities that will help you reach your fitness goals - and leave your house or apartment squeaky clean:

Ironing
Guaranteed to make your shoulders and upper back sore but strong, and you'll burn over 115 calories per hour.

Vacuuming
Get the place looking spiffy and burn nearly 200 calories per hour, even more if you add ankle weights to the mix.

Carrying Laundry and Household Items up and down Stairs
Almost 500 calories per hour; just make sure you're maintaining a steady pace to give thighs, glutes and hips a major workout.

Washing Windows
Give biceps, triceps and shoulder muscles a killer workout and burn almost 200 calories per hour. (So that's how those professional window cleaners stay so buff.)

Washing the Car
Grab that wax and practice the 'wax on, wax off' technique; get sudsy and enjoy a real car washing experience to blast off over 230 calories per hour.

Raking Leaves
Clean up that lawn and get your garden in tip-top shape for the season while burning over 350 calories per hour.

Washing Dishes
Give the dishwasher a break and hand wash a load of dishes to burn nearly 200 calories per hour.

Painting
Painting walls or window trim burns 65 to 100 calories per hour - give those biceps a mega-workout!

So what are you waiting for? Strap on a pair of sneakers and hit the cleaning closet for your 'workout equipment' of choice.