Yard work really is good exercise!
Now that spring is finally here I can often be found outside digging in the dirt, raking up debris from the long, hard winter and putting down layers of mulch to help keep the growth of weeds at bay in my herb garden. Taking the time out from my busy life to get the garden and yard in shape has seriously cut into my workout time for the past week or so. I was feeling a little guilty about it until I read a couple of articles that convinced me that my time doing spring clean-up is actually time well spent.
You can burn some serious calories while beautifying your home, so there's a double benefit. Iowa State University reports that getting outdoors to garden is a great way to get a workout.
Planting transplants, shrubs, and trees gives the whole body a moderate workout. Women burn 135 calories every 30 minutes, men burn 177. After planting, the trimming and pruning of trees and shrubs also keeps us in shape. Our hands, forearms, shoulders, and upper back receive a moderate workout. Women burn 135 calories and men burn 177 calories every 30 minutes.
Don't worry if you don't have several hours to dedicate to a landscaping project. Dr. William Haskell, professor of medicine at Stanford University reminds us that even 10 minutes of moderate exercise provides a health benefit:
You can break up the exercise sessions into short bursts (at least 8 minutes) of moderate activity throughout the day. Although each short activity has minimal health benefits, as long as those exercise sessions total 30 minutes, you'll profit. For example, if you weed for 10 minutes in the morning, push a mower for 10 minutes in the afternoon, and chop wood for 10 minutes in the evening you get similar health benefit as you would doing 30 consecutive minutes of comparable activities.
So get out there and start gardening. I know you'll be finding me in my old clothes beautifying the back yard after work today!
You can burn some serious calories while beautifying your home, so there's a double benefit. Iowa State University reports that getting outdoors to garden is a great way to get a workout.
Planting transplants, shrubs, and trees gives the whole body a moderate workout. Women burn 135 calories every 30 minutes, men burn 177. After planting, the trimming and pruning of trees and shrubs also keeps us in shape. Our hands, forearms, shoulders, and upper back receive a moderate workout. Women burn 135 calories and men burn 177 calories every 30 minutes.
Don't worry if you don't have several hours to dedicate to a landscaping project. Dr. William Haskell, professor of medicine at Stanford University reminds us that even 10 minutes of moderate exercise provides a health benefit:
You can break up the exercise sessions into short bursts (at least 8 minutes) of moderate activity throughout the day. Although each short activity has minimal health benefits, as long as those exercise sessions total 30 minutes, you'll profit. For example, if you weed for 10 minutes in the morning, push a mower for 10 minutes in the afternoon, and chop wood for 10 minutes in the evening you get similar health benefit as you would doing 30 consecutive minutes of comparable activities.
So get out there and start gardening. I know you'll be finding me in my old clothes beautifying the back yard after work today!
3 Comments
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Comment by Debbie on April 25, 2008 at 11:42pm -
I, personally love spring time and being able to get outside and clean the yard, deck, porches, get plants ready. Just yesterday I dug two holes, trying to spare hubby, to plant the newest trees, one being a dwarf red Japanese maple and the other a lilac. A few years ago we planted a willow tree and an ornamental Japanese cherry tree, two rose of sharon's and a few other rosebushes. I never really think of working outside as a way to lose weight or exercise. I just love the fresh air after being cooped up after a long winter.
I also do tons of walking this time of year and a few times already Ezra and I have taken off on 30-60 minute walks. Even he loves them but he is looking for water meter covers and gas shut off valves. It keeps him busy and he doesn't pay attention to how far we have gone. I know also this time of year I sleep better as does Ezra which is welcomed!
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Comment by Deanna Durica on April 26, 2008 at 12:12am - Interested in how many calories you burned mowing the lawn or weeding that flower bed? This calculator will help you figure it out! WEGO Health also has some great pages on how to calculate what you are eating and burning in order to meet your weight loss goals.
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Comment by Debbie on April 26, 2008 at 8:12am
- My big problem with eating is I usually don't eat breakfast, and wait till dinner. After I eat I find myself eating the rest of the night :(
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