By Paula Dear BBC News Online

We put the theory to the test

But no, says England's chief medical officer.

Banish all such negative thoughts forthwith, Sir Liam Donaldson's report declares, because we can make everyday tasks count as part of our recommended exercise routine.

As long as it adds up to 30 minutes a day, five days a week, public health will improve significantly.

In a thoroughly unscientific experiment carried out in the BBC's props department - which is, incidentally, a very long walk from my desk - I put some of his recommended activities like housework and DIY to the test.

I arrived in props with two colleagues and went off to don a heart monitor. Just rushing back from the ladies had set my heart racing - I started to wonder if I should be risking anything more strenuous.

Ironing shock

Once I got back to a "resting" rate of about 85 beats per minute I set about tackling some ironing.

Now, I'm a tidying up freak, and most definitely not a housework nut. If putting stuff in nice little neat piles or filing things alphabetically counted as a sport I'd be heading for Athens this summer.

Health warning: painting can lead to excessive facial hair

So the shock of going near an ironing board sent my ticker in a spin.

"I definitely feel a bit hot and bothered," I told my captive audience.

Shortly before they considered summoning medical assistance my heart rate slowed, and I got into a more gentle swishing ironing action.

In fact, after the first minute or two my heart rate barely rose above its resting pace.

So, in line with medical research, our test showed ironing was rightly consigned to the "light" exercise category - not ideal according to Sir Liam.

Moving on to the recommended level of "moderate" exercise, out came the paintbrush and paint. All that bending, reaching and stretching is bound to be good for you, isn't it?

After a few minutes the old heart was beating away at about 115 per minute - it was hardly strenuous, but definitely having some effect.

'Wee bit sweaty'

All the better if you have to climb up and down a ladder or do some hefty sanding by hand. DIY is certainly a recommended option in my opinion, but how often do the really big jobs come along?

Given that it's unlikely you are going to repeatedly decorate your house just to keep fit, perhaps vacuuming would be a more realistic option.

As I whizzed around the floor, it wasn't long before I started to feel somewhat flushed and a wee bit sweaty.

My companions helpfully pointed out my look was more one of embarrassment than exertion.

Why not clear your pores with a steam facial while you're at it?

But what's so humiliating about running a vacuum round a concrete floor in front of four bemused blokes, one of whom is armed with a camera?

A nice brisk walk can do wonders for the body, so we are told, especially if one can incorporate some stairs.

None of the household tasks I had carried out could compete with the march back to the office.

The first set of stairs caused my heart rate to rocket to 135 beats per minute - and it was only one flight.

By the time I reached my desk I was starting to get short of breath. It was a good five minutes before I had the energy to open the packet of crisps I'd bought on the way back.

Of course we should take Sir Liam's advice, but the great part is we can pick and choose to do the things we like most.