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 candee's weight loss success on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.
no-contract cleaning service Mundelein ..An increasing trend over the last few years has been... Read More
If you're like most people who tried losing weight on... Read More
Obesity and overweight, weight reduction and weight management therapies, miracle... Read More
Got milk? New research suggests you should if you want... Read More
Mistake 1: Not changing your calorie plan as you lose... Read More
My name is Greg Ryan and I am a high... Read More
Our bodies only require a small amount of salt for... Read More
It is a fact that about 70% Americans are overweight.... Read More
It is very important for low carb dieters to stick... Read More
First? establish realistic goals. Start with a target you can... Read More
Being overweight is no laughing matter. For those who are... Read More
Weight loss is never easy. Although this is stating the... Read More
In the medical community, "obesity" is generally said to be... Read More
I don't know about you, but I absolutely love bread... Read More
When obesity gets out of hand, unresponsive to dietary, lifestyle... Read More
After patients have had gastric bypass surgery comes a very... Read More
Have You Given Up on Weight Loss? by Greg Landry,... Read More
The Sour Truth -------------------------- Question: I had a baby 6... Read More
According to a new study appearing in the American Journal... Read More
Do you know this year Florida will go through a... Read More
It's calorie-free, inexpensive and easily obtained - yet few people... Read More
Essential Fats for Weight LossOver the past few decades, the... Read More
On the market at any given time, there are hundreds... Read More
When we gain more weight than is good for us,... Read More
Body Mass Index (bmi) A Misleading measure of ObesityMany professionals... Read More
maid service near Glenview ..Did you know that being successful with losing weight starts... Read More
Some (not so) Silly Diet Tips and Why They're NotAt... Read More
Just because you're working hard, doesn't mean that you're working... Read More
Once upon a time, I fretted about going to a... Read More
The right diet pill should be carefully considered when deciding... Read More
Axiom Number Two: Hunger ControlTrying to lose weight without understanding... Read More
1. Include in your diet things that contain more water... Read More
People always ask me " how it is that your... Read More
Good health is all too easily taken for granted until... Read More
My last article, Make Diets Work, concluded that dieting the... Read More
Looking to lose weight quickly? The good news is that... Read More
Breaking Down Cravings One at a TimeI know you've heard... Read More
The world today has more obese and overweight people than... Read More
Let's not talk about diets. Diets are punishment ? like... Read More
As our bodies move from Winter into Spring we can... Read More
Fat has had a lot of bad press and for... Read More
Among the most popular forms of dieting is the South... Read More
Are you ashamed of your weight? Do you have a... Read More
You could try one of the many sexual enhancement drugs... Read More
With obesity and disease increasing dramatically, many fitness experts are... Read More
When most people think of low carb diets they automatically... Read More
There's one thing that most people forget about when it... Read More
Diet is one of the most controversial subjects around. Bring... Read More
Many people want to lose a few of those annoying... Read More
Weight Loss Axiom Number ThreeInsulin and GlucagonThese are the two... Read More
Weight Loss |