It's been a busy week in real estate, and I haven't had time to get much exercise. I know I should just make time, but with only 24 hours in a day it's hard, especially since I am also in the midst of taking down the wallpaper in the bathroom so I can paint (I am thinking ahead in case I ever decide to sell my house--the very advice I give to my sellers).
I decided to tackle the wallpaper. I had already done the easy part by peeling off the top layer. That left stripping the backing layer and removing all the paste so the surface would be smooth for painting.
My method is to thoroughly wet the backing layer and scrape it off with plastering tool. Once that is off, I rewet the wall, wait a few minutes, and scrape off the remaining glue with the blade. Then I wipe down the walls several times with a wet cloth. A few minutes into this process, I realize that this is a full body workout, which I call the WALLPAPER STRIPPER'S WORKOUT ROUTINE. Here's the workout:
Shoulders: With the wet cloth, apply pressure to the wall and wipe off the glue in circular motions. A large circle or waving pattern will ensure that all parts of the shoulder will be exercised. Be sure to alternate arms.
Pecs: To get the stubborn glue off, lean into the wall with both hands while scrubbing with one hand. Alternate hands. This will have the same effect as one-handed push-ups.
Triceps: As you are wringing out the cloth, give it an extra-hard twist at the end and feel the burn in the tricep area.
Quads: With the lead foot, stand up on a chair to reach the highest parts of the wall; return to floor leading with other foot. Be sure to alternate lead feet so you are working both sides. This will be equivalent of about 100 box step-ups.
Calves: Raise up on both toes to reach the corners. Lower heels to the ground and repeat till the job is done.
Glutes: With feet hip-distance apart, squat as though you are about to sit in a chair to reach the lower sections of the wall. Rinse the cloth (don't forget the tricep squeeze) and repeat several times.
Abdominals: As you stretch up to reach the highest spots, engage your core to really apply pressure to that stubborn glue. Reach over into the corners and you will also be working the obliques. For an extra tough ab workout, kneel on the floor and reach to get those tough spots behind the toilet. This is better than a Pilates machine.
Aerobics: Up the intensity of this workout by trying to finish in under two hours (or before your hands fall off, whichever comes first) and you will have added an aerobic component as well.
The great thing about this workout is that you can do it at home, it requires minimal equipment, and you will feel a great sense of accomplishment.
Upcoming segments include puttying, sanding, and painting: Wax on, wax off, Grasshopper!
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Peggy Chirico, REALTOR®
Serving the Greater Hartford Area
Prudential CT Realty
peggychirico@gmail.com
860-748-8900
If you are buying or selling a home in Hartford County or Tolland County, please call me, email me, or visit my website. I would be happy to help you with your home search or provide a market analysis for your home.
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