Does shoveling count as exercise? (1 Viewer)

[centen]

Context for the question: I have a goal to exercise every day.

Took me 50 minutes to move the slush/dense snow off my driveway this morning and now my shoulders and hands ache from lifting the shovel and chipping at the ice patches, but maybe I'm just being lazy and should still do an actual exercise class lol.


What do you think? How strict do you tend to be about those sorts of personal goals?

 

[Skorge]

Shovelling is definitely exercise, but it tends to be more strenuous exercise and not a substitute for real, safe exercise.

 

[kiki]

It does, if you want a routine long term then its better to adapt it to your needs and what you feel like doing that day. Then you wont get bored or burned out and give up. Even walking for 50 minutes counts as exercise and youll see an improvement in mental and physical health if you were to do it every day.

 

[centen]

Shovelling is definitely exercise, but it tends to be more strenuous exercise and not a substitute for real, safe exercise.

I definitely don't plan to make it a habit! Hopefully we are done with this gross slush/snow mix for the season. It's way worse than regular snow, imo!

 

[centen]

It does, if you want a routine long term then its better to adapt it to your needs and what you feel like doing that day. Then you wont get bored or burned out and give up. Even walking for 50 minutes counts as exercise and youll see an improvement in mental and physical health if you were to do it every day.

That's fair! I know I feel better just getting up and walking around when I'm feeling sluggish, like more than I would napping or something. It's weird how something a bit tiring like a brisk walk can still energize you!

 

[Selfmate]

it's not exercise per se but rather classified as physical activity...

like a construction worker working isn't exercise per se but they are still undertaking physical activity

 

[centen]

it's not exercise per se but rather classified as physical activity...

like a construction worker working isn't exercise per se but they are still undertaking physical activity

Oh, that makes sense!

 

[Selfmate]

Oh, that makes sense!

I dunno about where you are but here down under the recommendation is to get at least 30min of physical activity and doctors use the term "physical activity" as oppose to exercise

 

[Ahsoka]

Tbh I'd consider that a good physical workout (depends on different factors for a better estimate as to how much you did physical workout wise but if your shoulders and hands ache I'd say you probably worked out your muscles quite a bit). If you do decide you want to do more you can of course do some leg and maybe ab workout but if you're not feeling that it's totally reasonable imo to count the shoveling as your daily workout goal.