January 7, 2009

THE BEST WINTER TOOLS FOR GARDENERS


Upper row : 5 lb. ankle weights
Lower row : 5, 8 and 12 lb. hand weights


The thing I miss most in winter is gardening and the exercise it gives me without having to do a daily routine in the gym. In winter I spend 3 or more days doing a garden fitness routine to keep my muscles in shape. Very little equipment is needed for the exercises. Visit the gardenfitness.com website for the wonderful illustrated 6 week shape up program created by personal trainer Kimberly Ridout .

I'm also staying in shape by lifting my 7 week old 12-plus-pound granddaughter Lea and climbing stairs cleaning a four story house . I don't do New Year's resolutions every January 1, I have a long term plan to garden until my last breath. It's just in my genes I guess. My Aunt Nell was a hearty healthy woman who kept house until she was in her mid-90's, even taking care of her 70 year old daughter who was in poor health due to obesity. Aunt Nell gardened all her life and ate a healthy diet of mainly vegetables and very little meat.

What are you winter weary gardeners doing with your extra time ?

10 comments:

  1. I'm getting fat. I wish the spring would hurry up and get here so I can get some excersise.

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  2. You are quite right, Carolyn gail! I've been 'thinking' the very same thoughts as of late (although I haven't actually 'lifted' the tools). I don't make new year's resolutions either, but I know there is some exercise and weight lifting on the horizon. I love the title of this post--it's very clever:)
    Jan

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  3. I am staying busy with projects in and around the house, but should be lifting those weights. Sigh. Spring is right around the corner though and we'll all soon be outside.

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  4. I gained over 10 lbs. during the holiday season. This reminds me that I really need to get back to the gym.

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  5. Hi Nathan,

    Don't wait for Spring before starting some exercise . It's important to dedicate 3 or more days , 30 minutes each time, to some physical activity.

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  6. Thanks, Jan. Winter is a great time to work on our Spring bodies.

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  7. Hi Tina,

    It's always something as Rosanna Danna used to say.

    Once you get into the routine of lifting weights and exercising it becomes a good habit.

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  8. I read somewhere that 10 lbs. is the average weight gain over the winter months for most people. That's 35,000 calories and its not easy to burn them off.

    I haven't added any winter weight since I started doing my regular exercise routine and watching what I eat. I'm fortunate not to have a sweet tooth I guess.

    Since Spring comes a lot earlier in Alabama it's time to hit that gym! Good luck.

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  9. Carolyn, Interesting post and thanks for the link I will have a look. I suffer from arthritis and after several bad period with pains in my shoulder (so bad I couldn't drive) I started using weights. I no longer get any pain unless I take a few weeks off! I also do a series of other exercises which keep the pains away from my other joints. For me this has been a miracle cure, I dread to think how much pain I would be in now if I hadn't started exercise with weights about 10 years ago!

    Best wishes Sylvia (England)

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  10. I'm sleeping on the couch. Lounging on the couch. Spending way too much time online. I want to hibernate until it's nice enough to be outside. I can't seem to make myself do anything to help myself out of my winter funk!

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