What counts as physical activity?

Any activity that raises your heart rate or causes you to breathe faster counts as physical activity, even everyday household chores. Examples of physical activities include:

Active living
Digging in the garden
Waxing the car
Mowing the lawn
Mopping floors
Washing windows
Vacuuming energetically
Shoveling snow
Taking the stairs

Active recreation
Walking
Hiking
Bicycling
Golfing without the cart
Skating
Skiing
Dancing
Swimming
Playing with the kids
Playing sports

Exercising
Working out at the gym
Jogging
Taking an aerobic class or doing an exercise video
Using home exercise equipment

Before I start being more physically active, should I check with my doctor?
How much physical activity should I strive for?
How do I start to become more physically active?
Overcoming roadblocks to increasing physical activity