Burning Calories with Yard Work

Mowing the lawn, raking up leaves, trimming bushes, and weeding… yard work can seem never-ending and is the price many homeowners pay for owning their own property. If all of that sounds like a lot of work to you, you’re right, but don’t forget that hard work usually comes with a reward. In this case, the effort you put into cleaning up your yard results in a calorie-burning exercise that’s hard to beat.

The average 200-pound person burns 430 calories per hour while doing yard work. Not only do they get the satisfaction of seeing their yard look better and more inviting, but they also get a workout that can put them on the fast track to health and weight loss. Too often, exercise involves walking in place, riding a bicycle that doesn’t leave the home, and sitting up over and over again. It’s easy to get motivated to do yard work because it has a built-in incentive in addition to its calorie-burning side effect.

Be sure to wear the proper protective gear when doing yard work. Wear gloves that are comfortable to move and that will prevent you from getting calluses. Also, wear pants that are breathable while protecting you from bugs, rocks, and debris, and consider wearing sunglasses to help protect your eyes.