Young House Love

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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. Dawn says

    I am so glad that I burn that many calories because now when my husband ask why it is taking me so long to finish a room, I can say I am stretching it out so that I can get as many daily workouts as possible.

    Reply

  5. mypatsyann says

    lol, Dawn…
    I think I will steal your great thought there and justify my loooooooong projects that way to my husband, as well.

    Reply

  6. Jenny @ Art, Wine and Design says

    I HATE painting wood – it soaks up so much paint. Not to mention you will be painting over your head. I’ll be thinking about ya, girl! And I can’t wait to see the results.

    Sign me up for sledgehammer aerobics! That sounds right up my ally.

    Reply

  7. Brandy says

    I do ALL the painting in my 2450sf ranch and am still tubby (3 kids within the last 6 years don’t help, youngest is 7 months)
    Think I need to break out the sweat bands and bust some jumpin jacks while I am at it!

    Reply

  8. karen @ our slo house says

    I can’t wait to see what the beams (beems?) look like.

    Any sort of ceiling-painting is a sucky job, so I hope it is over as quick as can be. And I hope that in addition to Clara-sitting and blog-sitting, John massages your neck frequently. (Are you reading this John? Regular neck massages every hour…Valentine’s Day is coming!)

    Reply

  11. Meghan, UK says

    Rather amusingly, the advert displayed beneath this post when I clicked on is ’50 extreme workouts’ with pictures of before- and after-guts! I’m not sure you guys quite need that…

    Reply

  13. Abby says

    looking forward to burning some calories as I paint our bathroom this weekend!! We gutted it to the studs starting New Years Day so this has been a long time coming.

    Reply

  14. Elizabeth says

    All that running and testosterone helps counteract the ice cream as well!

    I definitely consider house cleaning and re-doing a workout…as is yardwork…and it is much preferable to step aerobics or spinning! Think about our pioneer ancestors…they worked their muscles the old fashioned way and for practical reasons. I’d rather lift bags of mulch than free weights. LOL

    Reply

  15. Jennifer @ Milk & Honey Mommy says

    Sherry,

    Sledgehammer Aerobics totally reminds me of that game where you hit/beat the alligator on its head when he pops out of the hole. Some days when it’s kind of rough, I need a legitimate reason to go around just pounding things. I’m in. Let me know when class starts.

    I really did like the wood beams, but I know you guys have good taste when it comes to design (duh), so go ahead and paint away. You have my permission.

    Reply

  16. Erika says

    Have you ever dug up really old bushes? Now that is a work out!! I should be super skinny if painting burns that many calories, since I’m totally addicted to painting!

    Reply

    • Michelle says

      I had to dig up these beautiful purple flowering shrubs this past summer. The were pretty, smelly and attracted a ridiculous amount of yellow jackets. They were also located right outside the front door. Obviously, they had to go, but it took me hours to get it all out and I was wiped out at the end of the day. Those things were tough and the neighborhood is new so they were only 2 years old too. It was definitely a workout.

  20. Jessi E says

    My step-dad works in contstruction, and in high school Iused to beg him to get me a summer job with his company. I was convinced I would be in the best shape of anyone by the time I went back to school.

    He simply told me, “You couldn’t hang.” I am sure he was correct.

    Reply

  23. Jen @ The Decor Scene says

    Can’t wait to see which way you go with the beam color. I hate ceiling pain work, so good luck and take lots of breaks because your neck is going to be killing you if you don’t. Those beams are going to look goregous no matter what way you go.

    Reply

  28. Kelsey D says

    I can’t wait to see the finished beams! I am loving everything you are doing so far in the new house! And yes I’m also lusting after Karl! :)

    Its too funny that you said that about the sledge hammer workout becuase I just finished this crazy bootcamp where we did just that! We beat the poo out of a tractor tire and car tire (alternating back and forth) for a minute with a sledge hammer. We also did things like flip tractor tires and push the instructors Hummer through town..crazy yes, but it was really a bunch of women having a blast! In other words I think you may have a second career on your hands-maybe a DIY bootcamp? That may speed up your painting process! :)

    Reply

  30. Mike @HA says

    I’m in! Though I’ve noticed that a lot of house work makes me tired/sore without really burning many calories. I’m the trimmer, maybe I need to change to the roller to drop a few pounds.

    Reply

  31. KarenC says

    Hey Sherry… what kind of prep work do you have to do to those beams before you paint or stain them?

    I’m just wondering how you’re going to get the gray to work without the original color showing thru. Unless that’s what you’re going for.

    I’ve never stained anything before and I have a dresser I want to re-finish. I’m hoping I don’t have to sand or strip it down to bare wood. *sigh

    Reply

  32. Anna Rowland says

    Im down for some sledgehammer aerobics. I always talk myself out of going to the gym because I find an excuse of a home project to do. Theres always something to be done!

    Reply

  35. My Shucking Life says

    Love this project and can’t wait to see the results. I’ll let you be my guinea pig. We have one single rafter beam that sort of separates our livning room from well, our living room. It’s one big open space that I think was originally intended for a dining/living combo. Anyway, right now, the ceiling and the beam is all white. I think adding some color to the beam might add a little something…still contemplating :)

    Reply

  36. Amber says

    I feel ya about the painting beams… We took on dark ceiling beams last summer. Ours were quite rough—they had been stained super-dark and were not sanded at all. So, after a lot of foam to fill in cracks and 4 coats of primer, it still took 5 or 6 coats of white paint to get them to match the ceiling.

    The good news? IT WAS SOOOOO WORTH IT. The whole room looks so much brighter and more inviting. Good luck! Your triceps will be burnin’, I can speak from experience. :)

    Reply

  37. beth says

    painting dorm rooms at UVA was my summer job. no wonder i could drink a lot of beer back then and still weigh nothing…

    Reply

  39. Laurie says

    I’ve been lurking on your blog for a while. I just bought my first house last year and have been embracing DIY projects with gusto! I’m so thankful you posted the picture of your beams up close. I have beams just like your is my family room. They were dark like yours until I painted them last fall. I like them much better but I noticed since I did them a light color you can see dark gaps in some spots. Not very big mind you, but they get on my nerves! I’m planning on crown moulding the hold room, but the depth of the beams aren’t as long as the crown I want to use. You saved me with your picture… I see they used 3/4″ round moulding where your beams meet the ceiling! I just refinished my steps that go down into my family room with a decorative 3/4″ moulding in the back (there was a 1/2″ gap there to stuff the carpet in?) I’m going to get that same moulding and slap it on my beams. See? You inspire even when you’re not trying too. Keep up the good work. You have a lovely family. Clara and burger are lucky to have such devoted parents.

    Reply

  40. pam says

    LOL Great post & I can’t wait to see the beams. I don’t know if you are nursing but that burns tons of calories, John can’t even attempt that LOL

    Reply

  43. Megan says

    Hey! Just wanted to let you know that I’m a dentist who reads your blog between patients. I enjoyed the mention. :) Especially because it wasn’t followed by how much you hate us.

    The beams should look great and your arms will be BURNING. I hate having to paint over my head.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I love that we have a dentist reader! Seriously, that makes me day. I actually really like going to the dentist because there are free mags to read and my teeth feel all shiny when I leave. Hah.

      xo,
      s

    • Jen says

      Megan- I’m in my third year of dental school and also check their blog in between appointments… and I’ll admit I’ve have had several conversations about YHL while working on my patients. The youngsters have no idea what dynamic they’ve added to the oral health care profession haha.

  46. Giulia says

    Good luck to your shoulders and neck! I hate painting anything above my head – I get my hubby to do that.

    Interested to see how you’ll prep the beams. I just painted 1950s wooden closet doors and it took me 3 coats because I did not want to sand and create all the dust in my daughters room.

    I’m sure it’s going to look great!

    Reply

  47. Jana says

    Ugh! I hate painting anything overhead! I always end up with the worst neck ache. Give yourself some breaks here and there so you dont end up with a gigantic headache :)

    Reply

  48. Lauren says

    Sherry,

    Did you ever get into watching Bethenny Frankel or read her Naturally Thin book? If not I want to send it to you because I am sure you’d really like it.

    Lauren

    Reply

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