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
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Peggy, great instructions and what a wonderful way to make something useful out of something mundane. Too bad I do not have any wallpaper to strip, guess I will have to continue to pay my gym membership...lol
Peggy...I admire your commitment and discipline at working out ;-) I cannot say that I would be able to even keep up let alone take it over the finish line. Good luck with your project.
Hi Bill and Karen - Maybe some sanding and painting would work for you! It's cheaper than a gym membership!
Hi John - I am going to post pictures when it is all done! But given my week with real estate, it was a real tangible accomplishment!
Peggy--I love your ingenuity. I enjoy painting and papering and yes it is good exercise. Clever way to work out and get your project done. Have fun, too.
Hi Mary -
I am pretty tired and sore this morning so I think it was a good workout!
I love it! With thinking like that, I have no doubt that your Clients are the happiest, healthiest people in the world!
Peggy, found this post on Russel's blog. A great post and what a work out. I'm tired just reading this post :)
Peggy...A wonderful routine which pays double dividends!
Great post. At least you're making the most of it! Appreciate the tips.
Hi Russel - Thanks for reblogging it (that is my first ever so I am very excited). I'm glad you liked it.
Hi Rebecca - I was tired when I finished and I'm moving a little slower today.
Hi Carra - I think it was the most satisfying thing I did all week.
Hi Meris - Thanks for reading!
Peggy-this reminds me of the movie "Karate Kid". Mr. Miagi has his protege paint the fence, wax the car...all with special techniques to get the benefit of the task to apply to his karate! Great way to get the workout AND the wallpaper down!
Hi Peggy, I just did my younger daughter's Caitlin's room, while she is away from university!!! Sneaky huh!! It originally had 3 walls that were bright lime-green and the ceiling & one wall was cobalt blue. This is why I repainted it!!! I used a Home Depot color called "Restful", which is really soft olive green. While I was plastering & painting I didn't even think about what muscles I used, but now, since I have our master bedroom and one living room huge wall to do, I will think about how my arm & shoulder muscles will be worked out... Excellent Blog!!! THANKS!!! ;>))
I actually LIKE your wallpaper...ok ok..so I am not buying your house....good exercise tips...makes me tired just thinking about it...
Hi Stephanie - Yup, that's exactly what it felt like too!
Hi Ann-Marie - I have the spackling and painting left to do and I am feeling tired already! But it is a very rewarding activity.
Hi Sally & David - Thanks - I liked it when I first put it up but you know how buyers are--no wallpaper! Even though I have read that it is coming back into style, I will NEVER wallpaper again!
Peggy, Thanks to Russel for leading me to your workout routine. One of my properties is about to be "de-papered" this week! But, not by me, let the "trainer" do it.
Isn't that the truth, I did it years ago, and I swore I'd never do it again, I still remember the pain.
Nope, not gonna do it, you can't make me.... No way! I will never, never, ever, again do it.
Peggy, I had to smile when I read this post because I always try to do just what you suggest. I try to make most every kind of chore around the house a kind of workout. It always made sense to me and removing wallpaper (not one of my favorite things to do in life) can be a really good workout.
Thanks for your comments - sounds like most of us are not buying into wallpaper being a new trend!
Peggy, I hope wallpaper takes a long, long break from the fashion/decor trend that it was...it still seems to be one of the problems that goes on and on when selling a house.
That is an awesome post Peggy! Isn't it funny how we try to go to the gym or go running etc to get a workout, but sometimes the simplest home chores effect our muscles even more! I love when that happens ;-)
Patrick Johnson, Windermere RE
Bellingham Wa.
Great tips! I absolutely love the routines! I use http://www.fitclick.com to change up my workout routine every 3-4 weeks so my body does not adapt to the workout plan.
They have thousands of free workout plans available. Here is the direct link: http://www.fitclick.com/workout_plans