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!
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.
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
The Liver The function of your kidneys is to filter... Read More
The Government of the Australian state of Victoria has started... Read More
As a woman, your body is very complex. Throughout every... Read More
The cost of a tummy tuck is something to consider... Read More
I'm sure you already know that weight loss and improved... Read More
Weight loss is a hot topic among college students today,... Read More
Any dietary plan on the market has some portion of... Read More
Obesity is a disease that is not caused by a... Read More
In many cases conventional dieting wisdom simply doesn't work for... Read More
If you are a mom at home on a diet,... Read More
Many people are under the impression that gastric bypass surgery... Read More
I just read this conventional diet tip ? and we've... Read More
If you have been watching your weight all year, you... Read More
RISING POPULARITYGastric bypass surgery has become a popular surgical procedure... Read More
1. Become aware of what you are eating.Before I started... Read More
Quick weight loss is promised by diets all the time.... Read More
Your brain has this really interesting system that is kind... Read More
To lose weight and get in shape you must have... Read More
One of the worst things you can hear in life... Read More
I can't do that Until I Lose This Weight! If... Read More
Permanent Weight loss is not about Diet. If you are... Read More
Obesity still remains one of the commonest avoidable causes of... Read More
Fat has had a lot of bad press and for... Read More
Recently, I read an article from Japanese magazine that by... Read More
Building a Perfect Body for Body Perfect Fitness and Health... Read More
Recently, I was reading about a diet plan where you... Read More
My name is Greg Ryan. I am a high profile... Read More
If you are losing, trying to lose, or think you... Read More
It can be intimidating to follow a weight loss plan,... Read More
It's one thing to stick with your diet regimen when... Read More
"I never saw it coming, how did I get so... Read More
WHAT DOES BEING FIT REALLY MEAN?The "INSIDE-OUT" approach to fitness... Read More
In 1994, I had a RNY surgery. At 350 lbs... Read More
If you've been on a low carb diet for any... Read More
Yes, you read it right?no diets!The first step in this... Read More
Rejuvenation and the Protein Revolution in Your Kitchen©2003 Marilyn DiamondIf... Read More
I am approaching 70 years of age very quickly and... Read More
CancerCoronary heart diseaseStrokeOsteoporosisMajor Depression from Brain StarvationHeadlines.WASHINGTON, Jun 22, 2004... Read More
If you are among the millions of people searching for... Read More
In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work... Read More
Diet is one of the most controversial subjects around. Bring... Read More
We have plans for everything these days. That is how... Read More
I wonder how much it is generally known that the... Read More
Let's face when it comes to overweight and obesity there... Read More
You step on the scale and groan at the number... Read More
To prepare ourselves for the Summer Sun we want to... Read More
Students today are faced with the serious reality of unwanted... Read More
Acupuncture for weight loss is a modern application of this... Read More
All of us that have had a love-hate relationship with... Read More
Is a weight loss workout routine right for you? Answer... Read More
1. Drink 8-10 glasses of water each dayOkay, for many... Read More
Must We Gain Weight Every WinterIt's that time of year... Read More
I bet you already know all the health benefits for... Read More
Holidays and special events should be a time of great... Read More
Get to the ROOT of the matter: If the plants... Read More
I'm sure you have pondered this question, for it is... Read More
When approaching your goals for a better you, every game... Read More
Everybody knows that 98% of dieters fail. But do you... Read More
Gastric bypass surgeries are temporary physical fixes to a long... Read More
When was the last time you focused so much on... Read More
Diet advice ? a million "experts", hundreds of snake-oil miracle... Read More
Getting Kids Moving - Help for Overweight TeensA residential school... Read More
What is the advantage of these new half sugar and... Read More
There is never any absolute certainty about what the nutritional... Read More
The people of earlier times depended on the rich resource... Read More
Studies show that most Americans are fifteen percent fatter today... Read More
Weight Loss |