Mowing the lawn

[LouMai]

I have several yards to mow, about 3 1/2 acres total.  My fitbit counts my mowing in steps.  I appreciate the boost in step numbers and how the rough riding makes me feel.  My sister in law says that counting the mowing activity as steps is cheating.  Is it?  Riding a mower in a rough field at 90 degrees is demanding for me at 73 years old.  Otherwise I am toward the lower end in walking and getting steps.

[USAF-Larry · Accepted solution]

Who is it cheating, @LouMai?  You are outside getting exercise, you are moving instead of sitting on the sofa, and you are probably correct about it being demanding work.  So, who is it cheating?

[LouMai]

It takes me about 3 1/2 hours for the largest yard. No breaks. fitbit
usually gives it about 6 miles. So that counts?

[Mukluk4]

Sitting on a riding lawn mower?  That's cheating yourself.

[seanslater]

I also think that this is self-deception. Riding a lawnmower is not a sport, so I agree with your sister-in-law. I understand you are 77 years old now? At this age, any sport is extremely useful. For example, my grandfather from childhood dreamed of a hummingbird, but unfortunately, he did not have the opportunity to take care of this bird. So a year ago I decided to give him a hummingbird and a feeder that I found on trimthatweed.com. Now my grandfather spends hours in the garden taking care of his birds (my sister gave him a few more birds). I am so happy when I see how much he likes it.

[NellyG]

It's not real steps, so you could maybe see it as 'cheating if you are in a challenge. But to my mind fitbits are for youself - to tell yourself how much you have done each day. As you say mowing over uneven terrain IS work, even if your fitbit awards you more steps than the exercise you get might suggest (and I don't know that is does - just guessing) then so what? Mine gives me steps when I ride my bike. But I don't get hung up over it - I have worked hard and I don't really care that I haven't done the 6,000 or so steps is might award me for a reasonably long ride. I've usually worked my butt off in any case! Don't stress over it is my advice. You sister in law is free to not do challenges with you (if that is the issue) and free to think what she likes. You know you were working hard!

[Onlymytrex]

As long as you're getting up and out and doing things that's all that matters, it's not cheating! My favorite days are days that I mow because I feel so accomplished

[Goresh]

I walk behind an auto-drive mower and fitbit calls it "outdoor bike", but still counts the steps.