Gardening: The Next Olympic Sport

Well, maybe that's a stretch, but gardening can definitely serve as a good workout.

During these scorching days of summer, my husband and I have been watering the many plants in our yard by hand.  We used to have a sprinkler system hooked up in the back until the work on our new addition began.  And we haven't had a chance yet to get a new one hooked up since the completion of that project.  So at least once daily one of us goes out to water the plants with the garden hose.  Simple enough, right?  Ahh!

I'm short and my balance, although better than it used to be since I've been working out regularly, is less than optimal.  We have tons (I don't think I'm exaggerating here) of red lava rocks all over the back yard (desertscape), which are a bear to walk on.  I'm always twisting my ankles and losing my balance on the little devils.  

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay.com

Then there's the hose.  This 75-foot serpent is quite a challenge to maneuver around the yard.  In the course of a watering session (40-60 minutes)  I do the equivalent of triceps kickbacks, bent-over rows, arm raises, tug-o-war, pulling, pushing, biceps curls, squats and more.  Plus, I'm getting a heck of a cardio routine in.  Add in sunshine and fresh air and watering is a pretty awesome total body workout.

Some things to remember when gardening/watering:  

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen.  
• Wear a light-weight long-sleeved shirt and long pants to shield your skin from the sun. (I usually wear shorts, and usually finish up with muddy arms and legs and clothes.  Whichever is more fun for you, go for it.  Just make sure you protect your skin somehow from the sun.)
• Watch out for bees and other stinging critters.
• Don't drown your plants.  The "shower" or "mist" settings on your hose nozzle should work well.  Follow care instructions that came with your plants, or look them up on the Internet to make sure your watering them enough but not too much.
• Water early in the day or in the evening when the temperature isn't so hot.
• If you must water when it's toasty outside, take it slow, take frequent breaks, and drink plenty of water.  
• Bring a spray bottle fan outside with you to help cool you off.
• Spray yourself with the hose once in awhile for some relief from the heat.
• Put "snakes" of stepping stones throughout your yard if you have rocks/stones in it.  The stepping stones will help pretty-up your yard and save your ankles and feet a lot of grief, pain, and potential injury.  
• Wear supportive footwear.
• Only work out at your appropriate level of fitness.  If you aren't used to working out, don't attempt to enter into an Olympic event such as Garden Hose Serpent Wrestling.  
• Seriously, don't overdo it.  Yes, you want to stay active, but, that said, you WANT to stay active.  So why overdo it and end up in the hospital or otherwise benched for weeks or months.  Not worth it.

I hope you're having a safe, active, and fun summer!  Take care.

Outside Workouts: The Best!

Courtesy of Pixabay.com

Hey there!  I hope your weekend was full of fun and lots of physical activity.  My husband and I spent some time landscaping the back yard.  We put in three new bushes--a Russian Sage, Chaste Tree, and Lemon Bottlebrush--and tonight we'll put in a new palm tree.  

There's nothing like digging in the dirt.  My mom considers it therapeutic, and I tend to agree.  Picking out plants and soil, planning placement, digging the holes, settling the plants into their new homes, bedding them down.  It's hot, sticky, dirty work, but feels so good!  It was kind of like playing in the sandbox as a kid (we live in the desert), actually, only a little bit more work than that. We were thankful for the occasional breeze.  My whole body ached when I was done, but I didn't mind.  I knew I'd gotten just as good a workout doing that as I do at the gym, plus the bonus of fresh air while I was at it.

Things to Remember

When you're working in the garden, remember these tips:

1. Wear sunscreen and a big floppy hat to protect your skin.  I usually wear a baseball-type cap, but this time I chose the biggest, floppiest hat I have.  It was a bit much, I admit.  I couldn't even see out from under it sometimes, it was so big.

2.  Wear appropriate shoes:  If you're going to be using a big shovel or tiller, or the ground is rough, be sure to wear sturdy shoes with good support.  This is not the place for flip-flops or thin canvas sneakers. 

3.  Wear light, lose-fitting clothing to help keep you cool.  I wore shorts which added to the mess I had to clean up afterwards, but they were cooler than long pants would have been. My legs were covered with dirt by the end of our planting project.     

4.  Try to garden in the early morning or late afternoon/evening to avoid the hottest part of the day.  It was still toasty even then for us this time of year, but we were able to handle it pretty well.

5.  Do not sit on hot rocks/patios/etc. with short shorts on:  I learned my lesson well a couple years ago when I was trimming bushes in the back yard.  I decided to sit down on the stone pathway near one the bushes to get a better angle for snipping.  I was sitting there for 10 to 15 minutes when I put my lower leg down on the stone surface.  Oh man!  I winced.  It was boiling hot.  When I went inside to changed clothes, I realized I'd been sitting on that same stone surface with my bare skin (my shorts had ridden up).  My butt got burned badly.  I don't have much feeling in my upper legs due to spina bifida, so I couldn't feel the heat generated by the stone.  It was frightening, to say the least.  I spent the rest of the summer paying frequent visits to a wound clinic until it finally healed.  Luckily, I didn't need surgery.  I've got a nasty scar that reminds me never to sit on hot surfaces again.  Over the weekend, I wore quite long shorts, thank you very much.  I'll always remember! 

6.   If the bugs are out and driving you crazy, apply bug spray, roll-on, or lotion to ward them off. There are a variety of products available, including those which are environmentally friendly, and safe for sensitive skin.

7.  Put some extra muscle into everything you do in order to get a harder workout from gardening.  Hoe faster, dig with gusto, and dance or walk in place while you're watering your new plants.  But be sure to pay attention to the weather and your fitness level.  You don't want to get heat stroke just for the sake of exercise.  Exercise smart; garden smart.

8.  Drink plenty of water.  I always have a bottle of water with me, whether I'm working, gardening, playing, working out, whatever.  Water is good for you, vital for heath, and definitely needed in the summer heat.

Have you got any other gardening tips to share?  Leave comments below.  I'd love to hear from you.