Yard work cardio?

[caseysmomgo]

Does anyone count yard work (or heavy duty housework) toward their daily cardio? I mow my yard with a push mower and it takes me about 40 - 50minutes and I often wonder if I can "cheat" on my other cardio that day because I mowed...

...or maybe I'm just looking for a way out of doing other cardio? I love lifting,(almost done with STS!) but I have to force myself to do cardio...

 

[kathryn]

Mowing with a push mower (if you mean under your own power, and not a gas or electric one) is definitely a cardio workout, especially if you have something other than a flat yard, and you keep up the pace.

 

[MAYNARDSMOM]

I woul djust count htis as "extra" for that day. Then that would allow me a few extra healthy calories!

 

[janiejoey]

ABSOLUTELY!

Janie

 

[tsagona]

I remember on Oprah one time that Bob Greene (her workout guru) advised Oprah that anything she did that was not specifically her workout would/should be considered an event. Meaning you should do your scheduled workout and anything else you do is just bonus. However, I must say there have been many times when I've mowed my yard with my gas push mower and considered it my cardio for the day. It took 3 hours and I had a big hill in the front so my heart rate was up there. It had to be at least as hard as a cardio workout and lasted way longer.

You might also consider jogging behind that mower every couple of strips or so.

Tracy

 

[Govtgirl]

I've worn my GoWear fit to work in the yard, and it certainly does count. I figured depending on how hard I work, an hour working in the yard is equal to about 20 minutes of a Cathe cardio workout inside. I normally spend at least 3 hours (or more) outside on a "garden day", so I figure that covers me. When I come inside after working all day, all I'm ready for is a shower and a cold glass of sangria!

 

[caseysmomgo]

Thanks for the input, ladies! I was out there 2-1/2 hrs today doing some heavy-duty edging and came in and took a long shower, and that sangria does sound pretty good right now!

It's probably a good idea to just do my regularly scheduled workout and yard work can be an extra. Any extra exercise never hurts, huh?? I'll consider yard work as my "bonus burn"!!