Quick Question...Does shoveling snow count

[lizdotcom99]

as cross training exercise? I have been out shoveling snow for about an hour. I know I am going to be out there again...a few more times by the looks of the weather channel....so can I use that as my exercise for the day, or should I hit the WATP DVD as well? Just curious as to any thoughts on this.

Maybe I should add, this is also a cheat day for me. SO is celebrating his birthday and there was NO WAY I could accomodate my LC lifestyle while fonduing.....so I decided that today I could eat anything I wanted. Breakfast was a nice big yummy chocolate covered donut....(truth be told, about half way through it got really yucky as it was really sweet)! So what do you think.....WATP, or not. If I do it, I was only gonna do the 1 mile one, not the 2.

Thanks for you honest thoughts.

 

[yasuern]

Okay - honestly - I think shoveling snow is a GREAT WORKOUT! I have done it so often and it looks like I'll be out doing it again this weekend! And as for cheating on LC thats up to you - On Jan 1st DH and I gave ourselves Tickets - 14 full day and 7 1/2 day cheat tickets - we have steadily been losing wgt even with a few cheats here and there - and this is a life change - forever - not just to lose wgt - so thus far haven't used any of our tickets - but when we do(probably vacas) and they are gone - thats it!


HAVE FUN SHOVELING - I'LL BE JOINING SOON

Sue

 

[MelanieC]

Hi Liz,

Shoveling is really hard work. People actually have heart attacks while doing it. In my opinion, shoveling definately counts as a crosstraining activity. Your building your heart rate, using upper and lower body with the shovel and snow as resistance.

I say, see how you feel. You could always do your WATP tape later in the day (after you are all done shoveling) if you feel good. If you don't, please don't sweat it.

Just make sure you get back on track first thing in the morning after you have your cheat day. I'm not sure what plan you do. I do WW's and when I know I am going to have a high point meal during the week I will make sure to stay exactly on my points all week and save my 35 flex points to use during that meal. I also watch what I eat all day, eating as healthy as possible with as few points before going (I pull out my heavy duty fill me up meal ideas for low points) so that I have as many points to work with. I then enjoy myself eating what I want during that meal. Then when it's over I immediately go back on plan (even if it's lunch time) and finish the rest of the day off as normal. It really helps minimize the cheat and sometimes it even helps me loose more weight. Our bodies sometimes get into a pattern if we keep our points (or caloric) intake around the same. Sometimes a more fattening or higher points meal shakes it up and you actually loose or stay the same.

Your doing great. Keep up the great work.

 

[lizdotcom99]

And as for cheating on LC thats up to you - On Jan 1st DH and I gave ourselves Tickets - 14 full day and 7 1/2 day cheat tickets - we have steadily been losing wgt even with a few cheats here and there - and this is a life change - forever - not just to lose wgt - so thus far haven't used any of our tickets - but when we do(probably vacas) and they are gone - thats it!
Sue

What a GREAT idea!!! I think I need to do that right now for myself!!! I have actually decided this is not just a diet for me either...it needs to be a lifestyle...good thing is, there are now so many LC options out there as well....including desserts for special occaions.

Since it was SO's bday, he got to pick where we were going for dinner...he is LC during the week, andeats what he wants on the weekend. I just can't do that for so many reasons.....one being after eating like that for a weekend, I don't want to get back in the groove. So tomorrow, it is back to the grindstone. Besides, I already know I am going to feel like crap after my carb binge..so it will be good to be back and healthy!!

Thanks for the encouragement ladies! It is much appreciated. Surprizingly, this is easier than I thought........for now anyway!!

Off to shovel yet again!!

 

[sap1227]

I say it counts as well!

Today is my DH's birthday as well, and a cheat day for me. Happy Birthday to us...I mean them

Christy

 

[kayeandjim00]

I just had to say how much I loved your idea yasuern! DH and I have been trying to figure out how we are going to treat cheating days and this might be the perfect solution. As for shoveling snow - after shoveling out two cars today I can say it should definitely count I sure feel like I got a workout!

 

[lizdotcom99]

Well, I did decidetodomy 2 mile WATP.....and have snow blowed three more driveways.....and it looks as though I will be doing it again in the very near future!!!

Gotta love a good snow storm!!!!

 

[plutosmyfav]

Snow shoveling is definitely cross training exercise!!!!! I will be doing a lot tonight/tomorrow. I don't skip any other planned workouts on account of it, though. Listen to your body. If you feel up to another workout-- go for it!

Sundie

 

[KimRaye]

Not that you need my 2 cents after all these great posts Liz, but I counted 1/2 my time of snow-blowing/shoveling to my days activity points, only because the snow-blowing, although easier, actually made my forearms ache from the 'work-out' they got. (Snow was DEEPER than my blower was tall!) The shoveling though, definately counts! And I had stairs and narrow sidewalks that the blower didn't fit well, besides going over what the blower missed everywhere else. So, it COUNTS, in my book! Kudos to you for doing the 2 mile WATP AFTER all that! I didn't, but I did 5 loads of laundry instead.

You're doing GREAT!

LOVE the 'coupons' idea! That would make such a great gift idea for my kids to give ME, and cost them (us) nothing! LOL

 

[lizdotcom99]

Kim,
I hear you on the forearm thing!! I am so glad that yestersay was a rest day for me....cause after all that snow blowing.....I needed it!! I could not believe how bad my arms hurt. But that is behind us now as we are not expected to get anymore snow til tomorrow!!!

 

[KimRaye]

we are not expected to get anymore snow til tomorrow!!!

Oh My! Not AGAIN!

Brace yourself!

 

[cinmell]

Well I sure hope shoveling counts b/c I did quite a bit of it on Sunday and now we are expected to get another 4-8 inches today which means more shoveling for me! I have very sore muscles in my body from shoveling, some muscles I didn't even know I had!

 

[tiggerlover]

Hi Liz!!! And a great big HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREG!!!!

I would definitely count shoveling snow as exercise and I am so proud of you that you decided to do your WATP!!! I was going to suggest after first reading, that you at least do the 1 miles since you were planning to cheat, but you did one better. KUDOS to you!

I know I have been horrible about keeping in touch, but you know my story...it never seems to change. How's the LC going? I have been thinking about you. {{{{BIG HUGS}}}} Now send some of that snow down here!!!!

 

[lizdotcom99]

Debbi,
It is supposed to snow today, Friday and Saturday......and well, you can have it all!! LC is going pretty good.....I have lost 8 pounds this year doing it. I may try swapping between WW flex plan and core. I am not sure yet though. Gotta take a look at the core plan. There are just some things that I am not happy with doing the LC...so we will see. In case you haven't heard, I am training for my first 1/2 marathon. Yes, I am nuts....but I definately need a goal.....and that is the one I picked I need to PM you, and will do that soon. I hear ya on the being busy though. It is just crazy!!

Cinmell, good luck to you and all that snow. Maybe we could bioth send it to Debbi. Don't shovel too much and be careful.

Kim, aren't you supposed to get some more too? Or is it just NW Indiana that is to be so blessed? I hear we got the BIG award for most inches over the weekend, so I will gladly let someone else have it over the next few days!!!

 

[HeatherPage]

Just please be careful. I've heard the reason so many people have heart attacks while shoveling snow is the double wammy of it being so much excersion and also the temperature is usually very cold and for some reason when you combine the two it can be a dangerous situation.