WHEW – I spent the whole first half of the day on the move!
The husband and I went running at the Greenway and did 6 miles in about 54 minutes. Maybe I’ll try 6.5 next week. It was a great run for me (although I could feel my fiberific breakfast in my stomach a little too much in the last 3 miles).
My dad used to make us do yardwork when we were younger. I hated it! I never minded Fall Raking Day, but I hated weeding and pruning. One time he made me cut bushes with scissors because they need a trim. C’mon!! So I decided that if I could help it I’d never do another lick of yardwork. The husband and I split up our chores depending on what we like to do, and so obviously he does the yardwork. I help out when I’m in the mood 🙂 After our long run, I got a guilt trip about all that has to be done, so I offered to do some weeding in the front yard. Wasn’t too thrilled.
But then……I asked if I could try the lawn mower ! I love vacuuming because of the visible results, but I’ve been scared of the mower. After a quick tutorial, I started clipping away the front yard. IT. WAS. SO. FUN!!! But also very hard. I thought lawn mowers were kind of self propelled, but it was really heavy and hard to maneuver around. I still had my heart rate monitor on from my run and looked down to see my HR around 150 mid-mow. Wow, that’s as hard as the elliptical!
And my live action shot!!
After mowing, I did end up doing some trimming and pruning. I got most of the tall weeds out of the front bushes and then went to town on a bush I hate in the backyard because it covers up the dining room window. It’s pretty much a stump now 
So after 6 miles of running , 30 minutes of mowing , and 45 minutes of pruning and hauling brush , I was POOPED! And also very, very thirsty. I was bad and didn’t have a water bottle with me and didn’t want to go inside all dirty to get one.
After a quick shower and two 16 oz cups of water (to which I added a "fitness packet" mix I bought at Target two years ago and never use – I figured this was a time when I needed a sports drink for some electrolytes and a small dose of sodium), I sat down to lunch ready for fuel!
We boiled some fresh edamame from the CSA for about 5 minutes in salted water. Just like in a restaurant!
And I had 2 slices of corny bread with Smart Balance –
And a yogurt, blueberry and granola cup –
And a handful of kashi crackers – just what I was craving!
Since lunch I’ve been editing the Crepe Video from last night. It’s another long one, but hopefully a little entertaining!
i used to love mowing the lawn, too, cause it was good exercise, but i was really bad at going in perfect lines, so my parents wouldnt let me do it anymore.
my landlord mows the lawn at my apartment so i dont even have the chance to do it anymore.
im still scared of the weedeater, though.
http://www.everygymsnightmare.com
dang kath you look majorly jacked in that rowing photo (in a good way)!! rock on.
im impressed you did a 6 mile run *for fun* today. have you ever thought of doing a 10k or something? you and matt should do it together!
i would get my man to run with me but he prefers to lay on the couch on the weekends. blah!
Hahaha, I bet the husband’s happy you found a new exercise…now you can help him in the yard! 😉 Push mowing IS hard…definitely gives you a bit of a workout!
sigh… MOWING. not rowing.
Yeah, hopefully this becomes a tradition! In the spring, I’m always excited to start mowing the grass, when it’s not too hot outside and you only have to do it every other week, but by the middle of the summer it’s just torture.
I’d gladly trade some massages for lawn mowing duty…
That corny bread looks awesome! Good job on the run! I wish I was fast enough to run with my husband! I have never mowed the lawn! I do the majority of the house work but have always left mowing to my husband 🙂 I really want to try it! I’m glad it went well for you!
You make me feel lazy, I hate yard work, I make my roommate mow 🙂 maybe I’ll offer to help next time lol
You have awesome calve muscles, that mowing video really shows them off!
I’m in pure agreement with hating yard work and loving 1% milk. We recently switched too, I love it in my cereal and coffee – it takes so much richer!! My hubby prefers skim – we add a dab of water to his cereal/museli and it works fine. I added crepes to my menu calendar – ha ha. I thought it looked like a fun fall project – maybe butternut squash and apples!!
I mowed once when I still lived at home, and my dad prohibited me from ever touching the mower again after I mowed over the dog’s chain. Oops! Hopefully, when I get my own yard someday, my husband will do the mowing and I can take care of the pruning/weeding/garden/planting; that would be right up my alley!
I agree, I think you and the husband should enter a race! I too can’t get my husband off the couch or off his boat on the weekends, so there’s no way he’d run with me. I wish he would though, you are definitely lucky to be able to run/workout together 🙂
I just wanted to say how much I love your blog. Thanks for sharing your life (and meals) with us 🙂
Hey everyone – what’s your favorite veggie burger? I normally make my own, but we are going away this weekend and I need to grab some to go for a vegetarian that will be at the house. Should I go Boca or Morning Star and any flavor suggestions?
Thanks guys!
Hi Kath! I just saw your video on Recipezaar. It’s great! Very informative. You are so brave to try something for the first time on camera!
Your blog is very impressive. They design and feel is great. You must be a very organized person. You look really great, congrats on your weight loss. It sounds like you really worked hard for an entire year and a half, you should really be proud.
I think I need to come back to get some more tips of what I could do. I look pretty good, but I can feel my jeans starting to feel a little tight… I try to add in things and make thing ‘healthy’, but I really have a sweet-tooth that I am trying to curb at the moment. My philosophy is to try to cut out as much of the sugar and fat as I can and still have it taste good. I add in whole-wheat flour and flax where I can too, so it sounds like we would get along great!
hahaha that mowing video made me chuckle! hilarious!! Yummy looking bread too!
I like boca burgers. Just the original ones.
Jessica, you should look for Sunshine veggie burgers. I know they carry them at Whole Foods and Earth Fare. They’re incredible…a lot less processed-tasting than the MorningStar or Boca burgers. Have a fun trip!
Jessica- I just had Morning Star’s chicken “burger” for dinner tonight! It was pretty good! I can never really taste the “processed” taste in any food…so I guess if you are more sensitive to that taste it would be wise to go with the more natural ones. But if not, I liked the one I had tonight.
Jessica- my favorites are the Sunshine veggie burgers and Amy’s California burgers.
I like to pull weeds because it gives a sense of accomplishment, seeing all that grossness gone! But recently, I pulled a ton of weeds, got into some poison ivy, and had HUGE blistery, oozy sores all up my arms. Bad start for the summer!!
Edemame is the greatest thing in the history of the world. I get frozen bags at Costco (HUGE bags) and it’s just amazing. :]
OMG-the lawn mower video had me cracking up out loud-that was awesome!!!! And yes, your calves look great!
I’ll have to get a big lawn just so I can log 150 bpm!
Re. edamame…I haven’t used fresh (how lucky you are!) but I’ve bought frozen from the Japanese store and the man there cautioned me against following the package directions (5 min boiling), but said that the water should come to a boil, then add the beans, wait 2 minutes, no more then take them out and put salt if you want. That way they are PERFECTLY al dente. He was right! How does it come out from fresh?
Friday, after work, my sister and I rearranged my 3 flower gardens into 5 flower gardens. It’s such a good exercise…
caitlinbo + C,
Thanks 🙂
Hot Garlic,
Thanks for stopping by!! I was dumb and didn’t read all the rules for the video contest – I just saw “upload a video” and uploaded the one I had just made. It’s 10 minutes long and not exactly regional! Whoops!
I love your blog design! Such cool colors. I’ve added you to my reading list 🙂
Kath
We just got a push mower (meaning not gas or electric, the REALLY old-fashioned kind!) because we wanted to be more environmentally conscious. If your yard is huge it wouldn’t work, but if it is modestly sized… now that’s a great workout!
Hi Kath,
Just wondering what kind of Heart Rate monitor you use. I want to get one, but there are so many to choose from.
Thanks!
Kathryn ,
Check the FAQ page. Exercise question #1 🙂
K