How to Lose Weight While Gardening!
Copyright 2005 by GoingAllTheWeigh.com
Have you ever dreaded the idea of pulling weeds, planting a tree, or pushing
a lawn mower around the yard?
Does just thinking about it make you sweat? I am sure the majority
of are nodding your heads in agreement. What I am about to suggest only
takes a slight change in your thinking and a bit of planning and you
can learn how to lose weight and get in better shape while gardening
this year.
For those of you that are already gardeners, you know that gardening
is one of the best ways to get exercise because it involves all of the
muscle groups in your body.
Like I mentioned earlier, we only need to change the way you think
about outside chores. See I am falling into the trap too, I just called
them chores. Instead, you should think of them as outdoor exercises
that are designed to enhance the condition of your body and help you
lose weight.
As with any exercise program, check with your doctor before starting.
Make sure you are dressed properly and that you stretch before beginning.
If you aren't used to exercising in the garden or have been relatively
inactive all winter, start slowly. Start with weeding, watering, and
planting seeds.
As you feel yourself getting stronger you can increase your gardening
repertoire to include: pruning, heavy digging, hoeing, pushing a loaded
wheelbarrow, or mowing the lawn. I think you get the idea because the
list of outdoor gardening exercise ideas is endless!
Even carrying plants or a bag of potting soil to the car from the store
and then out into the yard is exercise! You can potentially burn up
to 300-600 calories per hour depending on your intensity and which gardening
exercises you engage in.
You CAN lose weight by gardening ~ eat less and move more! The following
list shows what a typical man weighing 180 pounds will burn in 30 minutes
of activity. If you weigh more you can burn even more calories!
- Watering lawn/garden~ 61
- Raking~ 162
- Bagging leaves~ 162
- Planting seeds/seedlings~ 162
- Planting trees~ 182
- Weeding ~ 182
- Clearing Land ~ 202
- Digging, spading, tilling~ 202
- Laying Sod~202
- General gardening~ 202
- Chopping wood~ 243
- Gardening with heavy power tools~ 243
- Mowing the lawn with a push mower~ 243
- Shoveling snow~ 243
- Shoveling heavy snow~ 364 cals
Tips for your success:
1. Don't over do it~ one or two hours of gardening is plenty,
especially when you are beginning!
2. Don't lift objects that are too heavy for you. If you injure
yourself, chances are that you won't be able to continue to garden
for exercise and weight loss.
3. Stretch before, during and after gardening. Don't stay down
on your knees while weeding or planting for extended periods of time~
get up and move!
4. Get out in your garden and exercise at least 3-4 times a week.
5. Continue your outdoor exercise routine even after you last blooms
have faded. Shoveling the snow, raking leaves, and splitting wood are
great calorie burners that will lead to weight loss!
6. Don't forget the added benefit of growing your own healthy
fruits and vegetables and your yard will look beautiful from all of
your hard work!
7. Have Fun and "Just do it"!
Once you get into the habit of viewing gardening as an excellent way
to lose weight and stay in shape, you may never go back to the gym again!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About the Author
This article is provided courtesy of GoingAllTheWeigh.com - You may freely reprint this article
on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL
remain intact. Feel free to visit Candee's daily
weight loss journey blog.
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