Gardening is excellent exercise.

[wildeyed]

I went to the gym today, first time in ages, and I was really quite fit, considering. I think it is all the hand watering I have been doing. I got rain barrels, so instead of hauling the hose around the yard, I haul large buckets of rain water. It is more work than the hose, but I find it spiritually satisfying. And today I realized you also get nicely sculpted shoulders from the work :) Maybe I should link to the exercise forum? All the healthy produce is also good for keeping the waistline in check. I am munching of cherry tomatoes and fresh raspberries as I type :)

[asdjrocky]

1. I agree.

I run, I've played different sports for years and gardening this summer -for the first time- is real exercise. And hey, the fresh veggies are pretty darn good for you too! :hi:

[wildeyed]

2. We are eliminating the middle man.

Old way: Pay to exercise, then pay for food. New way: Get exercise *and* food for free :hi:

[NJCher]

3. I did it the other way around

I started weight resistance training in early February. Boy has it paid off. This is the first year that I've not strained one muscle when I started up with spring gardening. My property is on three levels as I am on the side of a mountain. I have to go up a flight of stairs to even get to my vegetable garden. I have gardens on terraces and on the second level. Further down, I have a large stretch of lawn that I have to mow. Lots of work!!

My chiropracter friend tells me he sees lots of gardeners in the spring.

Even though gardening keeps me very active, I still head to the gym to work out with the weights twice a week. There's something about knowing I've covered the gamut of muscles that need to be worked...

I, too, like to water by hauling the water buckets out from my rain barrels. Great for the biceps!



Cher

[wildeyed]

4. I have been making it to yoga class about once a week, but nothing else this spring.

I have a lot of residual strength from past athletic exploits and I tend to coast on that a fair bit. But the garden has definitely made a difference this year. I was worried because I skipped so many workouts in the spring to work on the garden, didn't have time for both, so I was surprised how fit I was when I finally hit the gym yesterday.

But you are right. If you don't have a base of fitness and push into heavy gardening too fast, it could cause injury.

[EstimatedProphet]

5. It can be

It can also be a really good way of tripping and falling on your ass too. I almost found that one out the other day.

[bvar22]

6. WOW...NC and already have tomatoes and raspberries!

How did you do that?
Our tomatoes are still in starter pots and won't go out to the garden until April 15th or so.

Love terraces.
We also grow on a hillside.
Initially, we used raised boxes to keep the soil from washing away, but are transitioning to terraces.

Can you post some photos?

We cut, haul, and split fire wood to stay "in shape" during the Winter, then transition to the Garden in the Spring. Perfect natural timing.

YUM!
Wish I had a home grown tomato this morning!
My mouth is watering in anticipation.

[wildeyed]

7. This thread is from June 2008.

I just got the tomatoes in for the year, so I doubt there will be any June tomatoes this year, and the raspberry bushes perished due to the drought :( Oh well. I started some blueberries bushes last year, and those seem to be doing well, so hopefully there will be fresh blueberries in my near future :)