I don't know what forum to post this in....so it's here.

My husband and I own a mowing service. We mow an average of 6 lawns a day, at 45 minutes per lawn (this is based on the lawn being normal sized, and having been cared for already), for about 9 months per year.

I calculated the calories burned in the amount of time that we actually spend mowing, and it came out to about 2,000 calories. I used this (http://www.engr.mun.ca/~butt/index.html) site to do so....

Since I am sticking to a 1248 calorie a day plan, should I take in 3248 calories per day? Also, how much weight training should I do, with regards to time?

I'm unsure as to how to figure this one out......

*note* This does not include calories burned with any weight training that I might do...I think the cardio os pretty much covered lol.

I don't know what forum to post this in....so it's here.

My husband and I own a mowing service. We mow an average of 6 lawns a day, at 45 minutes per lawn (this is based on the lawn being normal sized, and having been cared for already), for about 9 months per year.

I calculated the calories burned in the amount of time that we actually spend mowing, and it came out to about 2,000 calories. I used this (http://www.engr.mun.ca/~butt/index.html) site to do so....

Since I am sticking to a 1248 calorie a day plan, should I take in 3248 calories per day? Also, how much weight training should I do, with regards to time?

I doubt the numbers seriously. Were you performing this work when you gained weight? I once read an article that work wasn't exercise. Do you ride mow or push it? I suggest you move up some but not over 2100.

I doubt the numbers seriously. Were you performing this work when you gained weight? I once read an article that work wasn't exercise. Do you ride mow or push it? I suggest you move up some but not over 2100.


No, I started losing weight when we started mowing. This is very physical work...pushing the mowers, emptying the catchers, emptying the trash cans into dumpsters, raking, sweeping, running the blower (and that's just my half of the job!)...in the heat (89-110 degrees). We do this at least 6 times per day, and at least 3 days per week, depending on how often our customers want the service.

Might not seem like much when you do your own lawn, but when you do 6-10 lawns in a day, it gets more difficult and tiring. We have some lawns that are in one housing area...they are done back to back...no break, no loading/unloading, etc. So from 8 AM till dark most of the time, we're on our feet and going strong. There is not a big team, either...myself and my husband do all of it. We ENJOY it as well..it's not just for extra cash.

I'm just trying to figure out if I need more calories so that my body stays clear of starvation mode. I don't want to lose any muscle.

Thanks

Either try to account for the calories (2000 may be a bit high), or use a multiplyer in your calorie requirement calculation.

I would definitely increase calories on those days relative to a sedentary day, maybe start with 1000 extra and see how you feel.

I'm just trying to figure out if I need more calories so that my body stays clear of starvation mode. I don't want to lose any muscle.


Just incease up to that 2100, if you want to. I am of the belief that women need not worry above 1000 calories about starvation mode. Do you do much mowing in winter?

Just incease up to that 2100, if you want to. I am of the belief that women need not worry above 1000 calories about starvation mode. Do you do much mowing in winter?

No, we don't mow in winter, the grass goes dormant around mid-fall, depending on the amount of moisture we get. Mid-november is when we do fall clean-up (removal of leaves, dead grass, etc.), and that's the last of it until March.

I've noticed it's much harder for me to lose weight now than it was during the summer, too...damn