Me and the Mower!

Aesop101

Well it's that time of year again. I look at mowing way differently than before. It's not a chore it's an opportunity to burn some calories. I think my neighbors wonder why I'm mowing so much.

I use a self propelled mower now. In the past it was a 10 horsepower riding mower and in the past I weighed more than 350 pounds. Heck it could have been close to 400 pounds since the scale only went to 350. So the rascal was way underpowered for me. Then I use to get quite a few strange looks as I was riding my fat butt around on that thing. I'm feeling some pressure here. Must have looked like one of those really bad photos of a Wal-Mart Shopper.

So I buy the self propelled mower. It was actually a small step towards what would become my weight loss journey.

My neighbor came out on his porch while I was mowing tonight. We chatted a bit about the rain and mowing. Then I realized it was getting late as in dark. So I finish the front yard pronto and head to the back. It's about a quarter acre total. Now when I first got the self propelled mower I thought wow this thing is fast. So I had to learn how to finesse the handle that controls speed.

Tonight was different. I had lost over 64 pounds since October and wasn't awkwardly clodding around at 350. It was getting dark fast. I grab the mower with a get it done attitude. It looked some what daunting. The grass had grown fast and was high and plus the backyard is pretty big by some standards. Off I go. I soon realize this thing needs another gear. I was moving faster than it self propelled. Since I'm counting calories burned I time my mowing. I got that back yard done in about 15 minutes! I felt I could have mowed a couple more hours at that speed. Last year I had to take breaks because my back hurt and I was worn out. Not this year. I hit it hard and never let up. Probably my biggest NSV!

1crazymom

NSV......YEA for you!!!!

TheresaRichardson

Good for you! Small steps really add up!!!!!

tammyquinnlmt

Mowing is perhaps my favorite "chore". I look at it as calories burned, but also therapy. No one can talk to me, and I just love watching that messy uneven grass become nice and neat. Mental health moment at its best. Way to go!

heathhumble

Nice job.Keep up the hard work.

sarah44254

Weird as it might sound I MISS mowing lawns! There is no grass here in the Arizona desert. I grew up in the lush "forest" of northeast Ohio!

You really rocked the lawn, showed it what for! It is outstanding to hear a quarter acre in 15 mins!!!! Great job!!

singer201

I, too, for the first time in my life am looking at yard work with a new attitude. As you said, it's opportunity for productive exercise. Mowing is cardio, picking up branches and other debris from the lawn is stretching, and sweeping and digging is strength training.