Push mowing - count as exercise??

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atreides42
atreides42 Posts: 51 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
MFP is set to my sedentary lifestyle. When I push mow my yard, should I add this as exercise? With my heart monitor on, the apps estimate 800-1000 calories when I do my yard.... Not that I want to eat these back....

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  • Sharbear73
    Sharbear73 Posts: 96 Member
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    Of course! I see others who post that. I don't have a yard...just a pool...no mowing here lol
  • techgal128
    techgal128 Posts: 719 Member
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    Dang dude, how big is your yard? lol
  • susancecconi
    susancecconi Posts: 1
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    Absolutely should count that as exercise, I used to keep a big yard and was in the best shape of my life (back then)!
  • katiegrieder
    katiegrieder Posts: 11
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    How big is your yard?? If it's more than just a couple of passes then I would say yes count it. I would consider that a full body exercise.
  • interesting_implications
    interesting_implications Posts: 1
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    I add it as exercise, at about 50% of what MFP estimates. If I am not feeling particularly hungry, I might just let fitbit handle it instead (which would then mostly count the walking part not maneuvering the 70 pound beast around ditches, etc.).
  • bomftdrum
    bomftdrum Posts: 270 Member
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    I count it. I put on my HRM so I can get a somewhat accurate reading.
  • skippygirlsmom
    skippygirlsmom Posts: 4,433 Member
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    My yard is a half acre, when I used a riding mower I never counted it. Right now my rider isn't running so I'm pushing and it takes a good 90 minutes non stop to cut in the 95 degree heat so yep I count it now.
  • atreides42
    atreides42 Posts: 51 Member
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    1. I'm not in very good shape, so my HR is up pretty high when I am pushing and pulling the mower around.
    2. It takes about 1 hr 15 minutes total, so I get a similar reading in calories for my average 1 hour bike ride around town.

    Thanks for the comments. I will continue to add it. Thanks, kuddukan
  • stephyy4632
    stephyy4632 Posts: 947 Member
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    I count mine we have a Huge uneven yard with lots of objects to mow around ( do to the kids and trees ) its one heck of a good workout ( my HRM normally gives me about 800 for an hour of push mowing my yard normally takes me close to two hours to mow if I do it all myself how have I typically do half and hubby dose the other half )
  • Mr_Excitement
    Mr_Excitement Posts: 833 Member
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    Not to be a downer or anything, but I'd be really surprised if you're spending more than 400 calories on that. I use about 400 running for a solid hour.
  • atreides42
    atreides42 Posts: 51 Member
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    Not to be a downer or anything, but I'd be really surprised if you're spending more than 400 calories on that. I use about 400 running for a solid hour.

    Well for now I am not eating back any calories burned so it is merely a matter of "journal accuracy" I guess.
  • PunkyRachel
    PunkyRachel Posts: 1,959 Member
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    yes, I log it anyways. I only mow every other week, so its not an everyday activity.
  • Sharbear73
    Sharbear73 Posts: 96 Member
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    He wants to lose a 100 pounds so I'm sure he is burning much more calories than you would doing the same thing. :)

    ETA that was to the dude who thought you weren't burning more than 400 Cals.
  • IIIIISerenityNowIIIII
    IIIIISerenityNowIIIII Posts: 425 Member
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    Yes, add it! An average yard probably wouldn't burn that many calories but just don't eat it back and you'll be good. Great job getting active, now keep going!

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