How To Lose Weight While Gardening
By Candee Stark, Fri Dec 9th

Have you ever dreaded the idea of pulling weeds, planting atree, or pushing a lawn mower around the yard?

Does just thinking about it make you sweat? I am sure themajority of are nodding your heads in agreement. What I am aboutto suggest only takes a slight change in your thinking and a bitof planning and you can learn how to lose weight and get inbetter shape while gardening this year.

For those of you that are already gardeners, you know thatgardening is one of the best ways to get exercise because itinvolves all of the muscle groups in your body.

Like I mentioned earlier, we only need to change the way youthink about outside chores. See I am falling into the trap too,I just called them chores. Instead, you should think of them asoutdoor exercises that are designed to enhance the condition ofyour body and help you lose weight.

As with any exercise program, check with your doctor beforestarting. Make sure you are dressed properly and that youstretch before beginning.

If you aren’t used to exercising in the garden or have beenrelatively inactive all winter, start slowly. Start withweeding, watering, and planting seeds.

As you feel yourself getting stronger you can increase yourgardening repertoire to include: pruning, heavy digging, hoeing,pushing a loaded wheelbarrow, or mowing the lawn. I think youget the idea because the list of outdoor gardening exerciseideas is endless!

Even carrying plants or a bag of potting soil to the car fromthe store and then out into the yard is exercise! You canpotentially burn up to 300-600 calories per hour depending onyour intensity and which gardening exercises you engage in.

You CAN lose weight by gardening ~ eat less and move more! Thefollowing list shows what a typical man weighing 180 pounds willburn in

30 minutes of activity. If you weigh more you can burneven more calories!

• Watering lawn/garden~ 61
• Raking~ 162
• Bagging leaves~ 162
• Plantingseeds/seedlings~ 162
• Planting trees~ 182
• Weeding ~ 182
• Clearing Land ~ 202
• Digging,spading, tilling~ 202
• Laying Sod~202
• Generalgardening~ 202
• Chopping wood~ 243
• Gardeningwith heavy power tools~ 243
• Mowing the lawn with a pushmower~ 243
• Shoveling snow~ 243
• Shoveling heavysnow~ 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 injureyourself, chances are that you won’t be able to continue togarden for exercise and weight loss.

3. Stretch before, during and after gardening. Don’t stay downon your knees while weeding or planting for extended periods oftime~ 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 lastblooms have faded. Shoveling the snow, raking leaves, andsplitting wood are great calorie burners that will lead toweight loss!

6. Don’t forget the added benefit of growing your own healthyfruits and vegetables and your yard will look beautiful from allof your hard work!

7. Have Fun and "Just do it"!

Once you get into the habit of viewing gardening as anexcellent way to lose weight and stay in shape, you may never goback to the gym again!

About the author:© 2005, Candee Stark and Flowers&Garden.com

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