It was 75 degrees today – a simply perfect Saturday from start to finish. I even got a big workout and I accomplished one enormous task in cleaning out the garage. I was out there for several hours, sweeping, lifting big dusty boxes and reorganizing while listening to the new Arcade Fire and Modest Mouse discs. Our community is having a yard sale next weekend and, after initially thinking we would have only a modest offering, I know now that I need to come up with additional tables! Seems we have been storing WAY too much stuff out in the garage. It is stuff we have totally forgotten about after five years in our home. I have a pretty easy to remember rule – if we have not needed something in the last five years, we will never need it – so sell it or trash it!
After my girl woke up from her nap, we ran around the backyard playing soccer and a little basketball before firing up the Weber Grill and enjoying cheeseburgers and corn on the cob. Perfection.
So I did not get to the gym today, nor will I be going on Sunday, as the lawn must now be mowed. This is what I have been waiting for – the ability to get out of doors, clean up around the house and get some elongated exercise without stepping foot off my property. I never used to think about the workout I am getting while doing housework, but my body sure is letting me know that it has been maxed out today. As of 9pm, I am pretty darn sore and, come tomorrow morning, it is entirely possible I may not be able to get out of bed! Last summer, I began to wear a pedometer in an attempt to capture the true impact of my weekly 1-2 hours mowing, weed-whacking and cleanup effort. It was then that I realized I am indeed getting a fairly good amount of exercise just doing what I must do around the house. You should never sell those chores short, for their impact on your health and overall wellbeing can be huge (mentally as well, because you are getting things done at the same time as you are getting in shape!)
I did visit the gym this week, on Thursday morning. I completed a forty -minute workout using the treadmill and a half dozen individual weight and resistance machines. It felt great to get back in there and break a sweat.
Now, excuse me while I ice down my knees.
Until Tuesday…
Dad’s Losing It articles are published every Saturday and Tuesday. Follow Jeff’s journey during the rest of the week in the Dad’s Losing It Forum. In the Forum, Jeff discusses his individual workout routines and soundtracks, among other tidbits and musings from the week.
Jeff is a Family Fun blogger. Read more of his posts here.