Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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How Many Calories Does Painting Burn?

I just read in an old Health magazine (thanks to the waiting room at the dentist) that “rolling on a new coat of paint burns 204 calories an hour.”

Nursery Paint Blue Painted

This may explain why my hubby (the designated roller – I’m usually the trim painter/cutter-inner) is tall and skinny even though he eats ice cream nearly every night while I sip tea. Because by Health magazine’s math, a 3-4 hour paint job can burn 600-800 calories for him. That’s a lot, right? I’ve never been a gym goer, but I have distinct memories of clinging to the treadmill on the highest incline at a pretty brisk pace and hoping desperately to get to 250 calories before hitting the showers (or the jacuzzi – I’m just not cut out for those machines). My experiences in the gym were few and far between – I went a few times when a friend who had a gym membership in college would take me with her for “fun”) so I’m admittedly not a calorie/workout expert. And I’m sure cutting in is somehow a bit less of a full body workout than rolling (although when I’m up on my step ladder to paint the top of the room, my calves are always sore the next day). I know painting is hardly a Biggest Loser worthy workout. But I’ll take it.

And speaking of painting, I’m doing it. I’ve started a project that can only be described as long. So it might be a few days before I have afters for ya. In the interest of not teasing you guys, I’ll just spill what it is. It’s the beams in the living room (see a brief mention of our plans for them here). I’m trying a few things (a graywashed look, a stain-ish look, a more opaque/matte look) and we’ll see what we like and take it from there. Actually I’ll probably take it from there while John Clara-sits and blog-sits. So that’s what’s on the agenda on this fine Friday morning (and afternoon, and evening, and all of Saturday, and all of Sunday).I’ll probably be so skinny by the end of this that you won’t even recognize me. Har har. Anyway here are some preliminary pics for ya. I’ll explain more soon, you know, when I get a bit further along in the process:

Beams Project

Beams Project 1

Beams Project2

But since I’m probably not burning that many calories with the ol’ paint brush, what about my other favorite job: demo. I wonder how may cals a good session with a sledgehammer or crowbar burns (obviously not done in flip flops- there was a shoe switcheroo before I helped demolished this medallian in our old backyard a few years back)?

Dscn4765

I’m thinking it’s a lot more than painting. Now that would be a gym class I would totally take every week: Sledghammer Aerobics. Who’s in?

Comments

  2. Christine says

    I can’t wait to see how the beams turned out. We did our beams white last summer and it totally opened up the room. Painting over head is hard, but it will be so worth it. Have fun.

    Reply

  5. Erin says

    I just started a Jillian Michaels workout thingy (this is not spam) and it’s kicking my fanny. I too am not a gym goer.

    Reply

  8. Sara @ House Bella says

    My husband is also super tall and super skinny, and he eats like a garbage disposal. So unfair.

    Can’t wait to see this project’s completion!

    Crossfit workout plans use sledgehammers. Owwwie.

    Reply

  10. janet says

    guess what? in my bootcamp class, we do a sledgehammer exercise where we continuously hit a tire with it. i almost pulled my back last week but it’s a great upper body workout using proper form. so funny you said that!

    Reply

  11. Jennifer says

    My neck hurts just thinking about tackling those beams. Please be careful! And also, I love reading your posts Sherry. We have a lot of the same lingo so it cracks me up every time!

    Reply

  12. arell says

    Sherry, have you heard of Crossfit?? It is a new fitness movement sweeping the nation, we have been doing it for 7 months and are proud cult members…. everyone gets addicted super quick, it is like crack! The point is… we swing sledgehammers!! And slam them on huuuuge tires!!! Weighted sledgehammers at that!!

    Strong is the new skinny!

    Reply

  14. Melissa @ A Place to Nest says

    Too funny… Had a similar thought over the past 2 days. I live in Chicago and needless to say- after cleaning both my parents drive and my drive (with 4-5 feet of snow on each the whole way across) my goal to hit the treadmill once a week did not happen. I was much more sore and winded after that workout anyway. I think I should give myself a month off (or until the next snowfall- ha ha)

    Reply

  16. Lindsay @ ADesignStory says

    Funny, we are the same in our home. Kevin is the ‘roller’ and I am the ‘cut-in’ queen!
    I have been wondering what you were going to do with those beams. Coming from an interior designer, highlighting those beams with a deep gray color is the perfect idea!

    Have fun painting!

    Reply

  18. amy good house says

    I would think that painting the ceiling beams will burn more calories than roller-ing the walls.

    You have a tough job ahead of you! Take lots of breaks and take your time. It will eventually get done :)

    Reply

  19. bamatam says

    Just a small word of friendly advice for the nightly ice-cream eater…you guys sound like my hubby and me…he would eat ice cream every single night and never gain a pound. I would eat a 1-point Weight Watchers bar for my treat and still struggle with a bit of overweight. Anyway, we decided to get our cholesterol checked and mine was excellent and his was thru-the-roof! From all that full-fat ice cream goodness. He switched to fat-free ice cream so he could still get his fix, and his cholesterol improved dramatically. So, you may want to check it out. :)

    Reply

  22. Megan Carlisle says

    I know you guys are super busy with the blog (and house, and baby, and, and , and…), but Sherry – have you ever looked into Stroller Strides? I attend classes with my 18 month old daughter (have been a member she was 12 months old) and it is amazing! I wish I have found this group the moment she was born. It is a stroller aerobics class that you take with a bunch of other moms, trained by a mom! It is amazing and even though you don’t particularly like to exercise (I don’t ether!) you might really love this (and so might Clara!)

    Reply

    • Katrina says

      I second the stroller strides recommendation – I loved it and the kids always had a fun play group after class.

    • Christina says

      Yay for Stroller Strides! I get to spend lots of time with my son and teach him healthy habits by example. We’ve also met lots of other moms and babies. You’d love it!

  23. chelsea says

    Hey! Breastfeeding burns something like 500 calories a day…your hubby can’t do that :) I was looking at the pics, did you think of painting the crown molding white but keeping beams a darker color? I feel like the darker molding kind of makes the room ‘feel’ (as much as one can feel from a picture) a little boxed in.

    Reply

  24. Serena says

    I find it really amusing that you shy away from driving but dont even hesitate to pick up a sledgehammer or crowbar…

    Reply

  25. India @ Apt528 says

    You’ve finally solved my weight-loss problem! My husband’s the roller too while I do the cutting in and trim. Now I know why he loses weight better than I do :) Can’t wait to see what your beams look like. Ceiling work is painfull…good luck!

    Reply

  26. susan says

    I think the sledgehammer aerobics class would be awesome for any woman’s physical and psychological wellness :) Get it all out. The fat and whatever “baggage” is being carried around as well!

    Reply

  27. susan says

    P.S. You both crack me up. I love the projects you do, but I think it’s the laughs and the ever present “realness” that keep me coming back.

    Reply

  28. Alexandria says

    Funny that you mention health and fitness in this post… is John wearing red because it’s the Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Day?

    …Just kidding. I just read an article about the campaign and then clicked over to you guys and saw that. Love the ideas for the beams!

    Reply

  29. Katherine says

    I love the grey on the wood grain – great to add colour and even better to show off the texture.
    The massage is a perfect way to complete a job well done. Have fun with the beam transformation.

    Reply

  31. Melanie Beth says

    I can vouch for the painting thing! I have a bodybugg (which if you don’t know, measures how many calories you burn) and on an average day I burn around 2200-2500 calories… well one Saturday I spent the whole day repainting my bedroom and I burned about 3800 calories that day!! My highest day ever, no matter what workouts I do! All I can say is… it certainly makes me think I wouldn’t mind doing that for a living, I could eat whatever I want!

    Reply

  33. Mary Baker says

    Can’t wait to see the after! I pretty much love all things grey. Also, small world, I shared the bathroom inspiration link on facebook and my friend Andrew said he was John’s roommate in NY! He also said it might end up being his greatest accomplishment, haha.

    Reply

  34. Erin says

    Okay I love the color of the wall that John is standing in front of in the first pic. What color is that?
    Burning calories + making your house beautiful = bliss :)

    Reply

  36. maggie says

    Hey YHL, I have a question for ya. Since you dont have the online design service anymore is there anyone the you recommend?

    Thanks!

    Reply

  37. Elizabeth says

    I feel like I cheated on you guys by commenting on another design blog today…so in penance I am commenting on this post…AGAIN! LOL

    Reply

  38. Ann-Marie says

    This is a case of “to each their own.” I am a lover of natural wood — it pains me that the woodwork in our apartment is painted white — and don’t ever see myself painting wood in a home of my own. Instead I’d choose paint that accents the wood. In this case, those beautiful beams. But it’s your house! Have fun!

    Reply

  39. MelissaG says

    I was looking through a “do-it-yourself” type magazine at the bookstore today and I came across a mirror on a window, pretty similar to your idea. Thought it was neat….did you see that idea somewhere or think of it yourselves…just curious because I would have never thought of that. I would have been stumped for sure! Thanks, love your ideas!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We definitely can’t take credit for “inventing” that solution! We’d seen it a few places and even linked to a bunch of other versions of it at the end of the mirror post! So much eye candy, so little time!

      xo,
      s

  40. Amanda says

    Sherry! Why are you even worrying about calories! You are gorgeous and have an amazing body. Seriously, you had a baby not long ago and your body is better than my pre-baby 25 year old one. You go girl. I’ll be thinking of you while I drink my tea and my boyfriend devours his ice cream every night, just like you and John!

    Reply

  41. Teresa says

    Hey two questions! What are the dimensions of your mirror from West Elm. It is exactly the size I want. I am having one made out of old barn wood. Second question. I was following your diy with re-purposing furniture. I got to the part of applying the poly and I was fine on the flat surfaces, but when I got to the round parts I was having a difficult time applying the poly thinly and evenly. Suggestions? Love you guys! You are so inspiring!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Teresa,

      The width is around 39″ and the length is around 76.” Hope it helps! Oh and as for the poly, I just dip the tip of my brush in poly and then run both sides of the brush against the can to skim off any excess so the brush isn’t dripping with the stuff. You might want to use a small foam brush to sweep off any excess if you still have that issue after knocking a good amount of poly off the brush. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  46. Tania says

    Love the calorie factoids. My husband is a gym rat and not very into DIY :( Maybe the fact that home improvement helps to fend off the lbs might motivate him to get moving on our (ok, my) project list?

    On a separate note, is it weird that I’m totally stoked that you guys won the Apartment Therapy’s Homies? I can just imagine our conversation tonight over dinner.

    Me: “John and Sherry won the Homies!”
    Hubby: “Two randoms on the internet that want me to workout by re-grouting the bathroom are your homies?”

    Gotta love marriage. Our differences keep it interesting and entertaining! Congrats, guys!! Really well deserved!!

    Reply

  47. Hoppy says

    Can’t wait to see the finished product! I love the different tones of gray y’all are putting in there! Sometimes I think gray looks a little dreary, but y’all have made it look so cheery! (look, I’m a poet and don’t know it. Or do.)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We’re so shocked! Crazytown. Thanks so much to everyone who voted for us. Amazing! We were honestly just thrilled to be nominated among such awesome fellow bloggers.

      xo,
      s

  50. Felicity @ Our Little Beehive says

    OMG, congratulations on the Homie! When I looked last night Freshhome had 998 beating your 909. I was very disappointed. Then I just went back and holy cow, AT discredited a whole bunch of Freshhome’s votes for vote stuffing. OMG! Great job guys, it was a total honor to be nominated with you. xoxo

    Reply

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