How to Lose Weight While Gardening

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!

© 2005, Candee Stark and GoingAllTheWeigh.com

This article is provided courtesy of Candee's Weight Loss Success - 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.

---

Move, Move, Move for Greater Weight Loss

The loss of fat comes from fat cells all over... Read More

Understanding Weight Loss

A pound of fat represents approximately 3500 calories of stored... Read More

Overweight - Answering Your Critics

There are those that walk amongst us who have followed... Read More

Why Isnt My Diet Working?

Have you been on a new diet for a couple... Read More

Easy Weight Loss -- 5 Steps to Lose Weight

Is it easy to lose weight? Yes. Losing weight is... Read More

First Component of Weight Loss

Any true body transformation starts with self?discovery. It is an... Read More

Weight Gaining

I learned about gaining weight when I heard the question... Read More

Why Weight Loss Products Dont Work

Did you know that less than 2% of dieters lose... Read More

Lose Weight the Healthy Way

It's definitely no fun to lose weight -- put it... Read More

Childhood Obesity Is Everyones Problem

Reducing childhood obesity in the U.S. needs to be a... Read More

Top 10 Questions and Answers on Atkins Diet

1. What is Atkins Diet? Dr. Atkins diet, first introduced... Read More

Free Weight Loss Tips - Help For Beginning a New Diet

If you are about to begin a diet, the number... Read More

The Results Of Being Overweight

Being overweight is no laughing matter. For those who are... Read More

Hollywood Weight Loss Secrets ? Five Things to Avoid!

As an employee of famous fitness star Kathy Smith, personal... Read More

How to Lose Weight On A Gluten Free Diet

Many celiacs lose weight before they are diagnosed; indeed it... Read More

VPX ZERO Carb Fat Incinerating Protein - Go ZERO!

It's always great to find a protein supplement with very... Read More

Mysteries of Syndrome X Revealed

"I've put on 40 pounds in one year!" "It doesn't... Read More

Zone Diet Weight Loss Program

The Zone Diet as a weight loss program has been... Read More

Protein - Its Place In Your Weight Loss Program

Any food that we take into our bodies is composed... Read More

Winning at Post-Partum Weight Loss: Six Simple Strategies for New Moms ? Part 1

A healthy pregnancy almost always involves weight gain. But now... Read More

Yes, You Can Lose Weight!

Weight loss is one of the biggest industries in the... Read More

Japanese Weight Loss Secret

Recently, I read an article from Japanese magazine that by... Read More

Is Your Goal Really Weight Loss?

Are you ashamed of your weight? Do you have a... Read More

Weight Loss and Dieting Secrets ? What You DONT Want to Know!

Some of you will not like what I have to... Read More

Fat Burners: The Biggest Rip-Off of the Weight Loss Industry?

Fat burners have become very popular in today's society, especially... Read More

5 Surefire Ways to Weight Management

You have finally decided to tackle weight management and lose... Read More

Lost Weight with Gastric Bypass? Hints for Great After Pictures

I clearly remember how much I loathed having my picture... Read More

Cruisin to Lose

Recently, I won a family cruise on the Regis and... Read More

Carnitine Weight Loss Revealed: Why L-Carnitine Should Be The #1 Weight Loss Drug

Carnitine is simply the safest and healthiest supplement you can... Read More

Do You Want To Lose Weight Without Going Crazy?

Here's what to do if you want to wear that... Read More

Pediatric Obesity: A Look at the Epidemic

Obesity in America is at an epidemic level. It is... Read More

Heel Pain and Obesity: The Chicken or the Egg?

A new survey has found that heel pain caused by... Read More

Gastric Bypass Surgery Alternative

I am considering Gastric bypass surgery because I am overweight,... Read More