Shoveling snow!

Since our 'snowmaggeden' we have supposedly experienced, J has been shovelling the snow as his superintendent duties. He would come home to a drive way loaded with snow, sigh and grab the shovel in acceptance. The first time he shovelled, I quickly jumped inside to keep myself warm. After an hour by myself, bored as heck.. I decided to go out there to entertain myself. I quickly finished a few minutes afterwards.
A couple of days later, as snow was falling to the ground, J took the shovel once again. I decided to stay outside with him while I smoked my cigerette and do what I do best: supervise! I could tell it was heavy work as he huffed and puffed, pushing, lifting this 1 day old heavy snow across the drive way. As courtesy, I decided to offer help and of course, he took it. After 10 mins, I couldn't take it anymore so he took over. I knew shovelling snow was hard work but not as I hard as I thought it would be!

J shovelling snow while I kept him entertained

Yesterday, (after yet another snowfall) the snow once again returned. The boys were too much in a rush to get to their superbowl party to shovel any snow. As I returned to home, the driveway was packed with snow. My friend, C, and I had organized a homework day to work on our projects. I knew she would be wearing heels (we planned to do a photoshoot) so I didn't want her to slip and slide down to her skinny and fragile knees. I decided to shovel the snow.
Let me tell you, it was friggin' hard work! Thankfully to Body Break, they gave tips on how to properly shovel snow without breaking your back and straining your body.
I took the tips. After an hour, I could feel my legs burning. My shoulders felt like I was doing pure weight lifts.

It felt like I came back from the gym

Because I couldn't make it to the gym during the weekend, I thought that this was a good source of exercie.. and it's only outside of my house!
I wanted to really see how much snow shovelling would work as a workout. I found many sources indicating that shovelling snow is a really good source of cardio and weight training!

Only 15 mins of snow shovelling counts as moderate physical activity!

Can you say score!!! Just imagine, I shovelled snow for more than hour!

Warning: many sources have also mentioned that snow shovelling is the cause of heart attacks. Yep! Because of the sudden cold air the body emerges itself in, one's heart rate can be greatly increased in a short period of time. Your breathing can be shortened, adding strain to your body.
Not to worry! Below are tips on how to avoid such problems:

• If you have heart or back problems, shovelling snow is def not for you!
• Like any other work out, warming up, stretching, and cooling down is neccessary!
• If you need to, take breaks!
• Remember, lift with your legs (like doing lunges and squats. Imagine your shovel as weights); concentrate on your shoulders and back when throwing snow (and biceps, triceps will follow!)
• do not twist while throwing snow. Throw snow in front of you. This is how many people can strain their backs
• dress warmly! I usually bundle up but end up taking a layer off through half of it! (gloves are very neccessary!)
• break up ice with your legs. Well this one is my persoanl tip to you. J uses his arms to do so because he has strong muscles. For me, I use my legs to go real deep!
• Push, not lift snow across. I usually push the snow across the driveway to one pile (or one row) then throw it on the lawn. I'd repeat for all rows.
• I lift with as much snow as I can. Don't over do it.

I think I'm the only one looking forward to shovelling snow. Regardless, if you can't make it to the gym that day, shovel snow... and if you're really good at it, you can also start a business! lol