Tag Archives: fiskars

Going Strong: High Intensity Interval Mowing with Fiskars

04/18/2014 R.C. Liley 2 Comments

We’ve all heard of high intensity interval training (HIIT) as a great way to workout in a short amount of time. The most common form of HIIT is sprinting, and for good reason, it will get your blood flowing and lungs burning fast. This equates to an efficient calorie burning, do anywhere exercise anyone can utilize.

I’ve been into long distance running for years, and the hours spent running high miles is rewarding, but there’s not always time to fit in a long run. Lately, I do more sprinting, mostly up a hill, and keep going until my legs and lungs are begging me to stop.

Now that we have Avery, being able to run for over an hour is scarce, and if I do, I have her in the B.O.B. and our dog, Abby, in tow. Not the most comfortable, but it’s not that bad…..unless it’s windy, that stroller is like running with an umbrella!

Luckily, I have a Fiskars Reel Mower to lend a helping hand at accomplishing chores and a workout all at once! Just mowing with a reel mower like the Fiskars provides more cardiovascular activity than the gas-powered alternative, but why not up the ante?

How, you ask? By combining HIIT sprints with reel mowing of course! In the Fiskars StaySharp Max Owner’s Manual, they provide a useful outline of how to mow your lawn with their reel mower. I’ve provided the picture below:

Use this as a great way to plan your sprint mowing workout. I like to get the edging out of the way first as my “warm up” and then proceed to sprint back and forth across the lawn with as little rest as possible.

Yes, corny pose, I know, lets just try and look past that…mmmmkay?

I enjoy making things hard on myself, so as you see, I’m wearing a weight vest. This just adds another level of difficulty and helps keep me primed for when I mow wearing Avery and she doubles in weight.

Caution: DO NOT sprint while wearing your baby!!

To help you out, I put together a little video of me sprint mowing in action. This was during Avery’s naptime which is why I have a hurried look on my face.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xQzneLFFBc?rel=0&w=420&h=315]

Again, you do not need to wear a weight vest, sprint mowing is already a great workout.

This is just another way I am enjoying our Fiskars Reel Mower and plan on keeping fit by mowing while wearing Avery in the Onya or by sprinting with a weight vest. It’s a great form of exercise while tending to your household duties, and I recommend you give it a spin.

Do you have any fun ways to fit in a workout and accomplish household tasks? Please share if you do!

Parenting

Shopping Alone and Our First Reel Mow With Fiskars

03/31/2014 R.C. Liley 2 Comments

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up on Sunday morning? If you’re a baby named Avery who slept with her Mom and Dad all night, you wake up and kick whatever parent is in your way. And, if you are the lucky parent, as I was, you turn around so she can get that spot on your back that’s been bothering you. Thanks, Avery!

With my back feeling somewhat better, all of us finally got out of bed and headed to the kitchen for breakfast. It was the usual, Kelley had pumpkin teff porridge, I had steamed veggies with turkey and Beanitos black bean chips on the side, and Avery had, umm….boob.

And, no morning is a good morning without coffee, so I made a cup for Going Mom and myself. We took our mugs on the back porch to enjoy as we listened to the neighborhood kids tell “Your momma’s so fat” jokes; good times.

I had the best view to my right the entire time too!

Sooo, yep, I got to go grocery shopping alone this Sunday. Not wearing Avery must be nice, huh? Nope!

I missed having my little girl close to me with her wide eyes taking in the bright colored consumer goods and mass of people passing by. True, she can be difficult at times, but I felt naked without wearing her in the Onya. I know, I know, next time I go shopping with her I’ll probably complain, but I’d still rather have her with me.

But, I did make use of the free time while Avery was at home with her Nana. Three store trips and several bags plus a box of food later, and I was back home.

My least favorite part about grocery shopping is having to put it all up when you get home. Do you dread that part too? That’s also when Avery likes to start crying, just to make things really fun.

Avery was good for her Nana and instead of cleaning bathrooms with her free time, Going Mom made use of the nice weather and pulled weeds instead.

Before that she enjoyed a beautiful, albeit windy, run while Avery was having her morning nap. This is big for Going Mom since she hasn’t been able to run much since being pregnant, so I’m glad she had the chance. My wife always amazes me and makes me feel like one lucky husband and father!

After visiting a while longer, Nana had to head home, and it was time for me to try our new Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower. Fiskars sent me the mower to review and Sunday was my first trial in the review process. I want to mow a few more times before posting anything, so stay tuned!

But, having missed wearing Avery in the Onya Outback while grocery shopping, I wanted to take her with me for our first mow. With my legs day from the Supreme 90 Day workout complete, why not torture them a little more by pushing a reel mower while wearing a baby? That’s normal, right?

Giving a pep talk before getting started.

I won’t get too detailed now since that’s for the actual review post, but I enjoyed the mow. The mower actually pushes fairly easy considering it’s only you powering it, and definitely not as noisy as its gas-powered brethren!

The wind coupled with dead grass is not the most ideal mowing scenario, but luckily the Onya’s integrated hood protected Avery from grass flying all over her. Me, not so much. Mowing didn’t take too long thanks to the 18 inch reel mower, which is bigger than most of its kind, and we went for a family walk right after.

Since it was late in the afternoon, I left the hood over Avery in hopes for a short nap, and like usual, she slept. It never takes long in the Onya before she’s out, if only nighttime would be that easy!

The neighborhood goose with multiple names happened to be enjoying the weather too, but he didn’t feel like talking to me..

An hour later and we were back home and ready to wind things down for the night.

We spent a lot of time in the Onya this week and I am growing more attached to it with each use. Although, like most things, there are a few minor issues I have. When using the chest clip, trying to attach it behind my back can be difficult at times if the strap isn’t straight and Avery gets fussy fast when both of my arms are up behind my head. I am sure this is uncomfortable for her, but maybe because she’s still on the small side for this carrier. All in all, these are just petty things that don’t really bother me a lot, but just wanted to mention them. Like the Fiskars Reel Mower, I will be posting a full review of the Onya Outback in the future as well.

Hope you’re having a great start to the week!

Do you have any Sunday morning (or any other morning) routines or is it always spur of the moment?

Would you mow while wearing your baby?

Parenting

Explaining Exercise to a Baby

03/29/2014 R.C. Liley 2 Comments

Me: Hey Avery, want to hang out with Dad in the garage while he exercises?

Avery: You’ve got to be kidding me. It’s cold in there and you make loud noises as if you’re actually doing something.

Me: Well, you have your Zippy on which keeps you pretty warm, and I can put your kitty beanie on your head. And hey, I make those noise because I really am doing something! It’s called exercise.

Avery: Oh, exercise huh? So, why do you exercise? It doesn’t sound like you’re having fun in there.

Me: Exercise is a very import thing for everyone as it’s one of the ways we stay healthy. There are many benefits to exercise like helping to control weight, improving your mood, fighting against poor health conditions, promoting better sleep, and it actually is a way to have fun too.

Avery: Hmmph. All I’m saying is those aren’t fun noises you make out there.

Me: Well, it won’t always be a blissful time, but I always feel a lot better afterward. Plus, I need to exercise to be able to make sure I can keep up with you! Soon you’ll be using your legs to run around and I will have to keep a close watch on you. Maybe when you’re walking you can start doing squats like you see me do in the garage.

Avery: What?! Those things where you really make loud, painful noises? Pass….

Me: Yes, squats and I have a love-hate relationship, but they are simply an awesome exercise. We’ll work on you with those. Really, exercise can be anything active. Just going outside and running around playing is exercise. Something I hope you, mommy, and me will all do together. Right now, when you are rolling around or in your jumper, that’s exercise too. You see, so exercise can be fun!

Avery: Interesting, I didn’t realize you and mommy screaming at me as I strain on the blanket just trying to get off of my back was exercise. Are you going to scream at me when I can run around too?

Me: Most likely, we will at times, but not as much when trying to get you to roll. But hey, you can roll both ways now! We are so proud of you!

Avery: Yeah, I’m proud of myself! That was stressful!

Me: So, how about that garage now? You can watch me and take notes for when it’s your turn to do squats!

Avery: Oh brother! Fine, lets go out there, but don’t forget my kitty beanie!

Me: That-a-girl! Here we go! I know you’re going to have a blast watching now that you know more about the benefits of exercise!

Avery: Zzzzzzzzz

Me: And once you’re legs are parallel with the ground, you lift the barbell back up and repeat for reps. Think you’ll be ready to lift one day now that you have the basics down?

Avery: Zzzzzzz

Me: Hey sleepyhead! You’re back inside now. Did you know you just slept the whole time we were in the garage?

Avery: Yawwwwnnn! Yeah, sorry, must be that whole “improved sleep” from exercise thing. I tell ya, that rolling wears me out.

Me: Yeah……..must be. Well, I know something that might be exciting. How about going for a nice run with you in your stroller?

Avery: That sounds kinda fun, sure! But keep me in my Zippy, I like chewing my nubs.

Me: Deal. Let’s go.

Avery: Oh boy, this will be exciting!!!

Me: *breathing heavy* Well, how was it? We went 6 miles and I didn’t hear you make a single sound!

Avery: Yeah, not as fun as I thought. I felt Every. Single. Bump.

Me: Awww, sorry about that, the stupid construction around here leaves debris all over the road. Very uncool, huh?

Avery: Dad, you’re uncool, this is boring.

Me: Okay then, lets go inside and just hang out.

Avery: I like that idea, no more exercise today!

Me: Back inside, nice and cozy! About that whole no more exercise thing…..how about cheering mommy and me on as we do Tabata Inferno again?

Avery: Oh geez, what choice do I have? Okay, I’ll watch, but probably not cheer. Maybe cry though.

Me: Fine, I’ll try to keep you entertained the best I can. I thought you like it when I do burpees though.

Avery: Nope, I just stare because you look dumb jumping around so much.

Me: Oh, thanks a lot, I love you too! One day I’ll get you to join me on those along with the squats. Okay, lets go practice your rolling skills. Maybe later we’ll mow the lawn with our new Fiskars Reel Mower while I wear you in our Onya Outback!

Avery: You’re crazy! I want mom!