How active are you?

[Trellum]

This might be very off-topic, but since this is the general chat and I'm a very curious gal by nature... I know gardening doesn't really qualify as an exercise So how active are you guys/gals?

By active I mean working out! I must admit the last month I wasn't active at all, it wasn't until this week that I actually started working out again Before that I was working out 5 days a week, but now I might be working out 3 days a week. Because I think that's a way more realistic goal.

What about you guys/gals? Do you workout? How often?

 

[Kansas Terri]

Gardening does not qualify as exercise? Why ever not?

I can lift weights or I can lift shovel fulls of dirt and some watermelons. I certainly know which is more fun, LOL! I do consider both to be exercise!

I think doctors who say "gardening does not count as exercise" are not gardeners themselves: I think they imagine we stroll about with nippers and a basket to put the flowers in. They never think about digging holes and mixing in compost and planting the bush! And, they do not imagine people hoeing as fast as they can to get a dull job done.

Of course, I might be a wee bit defensive because gardening is the most vigorous exercise that I do. But, truly, I disagree with the doctors on this one!

 

[gata montes]

I totally agree with Kanas Terri on this one - how on earth anyone could say that gardening does not qualify as exercise is beyond me, unless of course, you were one of those people that preferred to sit and admire, rather than do anything too strenuous. only getting up occasionally to do a bit of light pruning or stroking of plants in order to satisfy the description of gardening

Gardening can be a very strenuous activity, in fact so much so, that I have to, as they say in the exercise world 'cross train' in order to do so, otherwise I would never be able to move large rocks, heavy terracotta pots, push heavy wheelbarrows full of compost, dig large holes in rock solid ground to accommodate plants, prune large branches off trees and then saw them up, carry bucket loads of abundant produce and all the other things, that go with tending a large garden planted with an abundance of vegetables, fruit trees and ornamentals and of course thats not taking into account, all the walking or carrying involved from one area of the garden to another

I think it would be safe to say, that combined with riding my mountain bike and gardening, I work out 7 days a week, but think that for most people 3 times a week is adequate, especially as people are more likely to stick to 3 times a week, than pushing themselves to do it more often, which normally results in them giving up before they've started to see or feel any real benefits.

 

[scotkat]

I bike and walk in our local countryside and enjoy hillwalking

And garden would never pay to go to a gym much prefer outdoors.

 

[zigs]

Yep, digging a bed over, barrowing muck, turning the compost heap, the miles of walking on the plot soon adds up to a work out

 

[Trellum]

Gardening does not qualify as exercise? Why ever not?

I can lift weights or I can lift shovel fulls of dirt and some watermelons. I certainly know which is more fun, LOL! I do consider both to be exercise!

I think doctors who say "gardening does not count as exercise" are not gardeners themselves: I think they imagine we stroll about with nippers and a basket to put the flowers in. They never think about digging holes and mixing in compost and planting the bush! And, they do not imagine people hoeing as fast as they can to get a dull job done.

Of course, I might be a wee bit defensive because gardening is the most vigorous exercise that I do. But, truly, I disagree with the doctors on this one!

Well, by ''exercise'' and ''wroking out'' I meant if you guys do something like walking or jogging, maybe cardio or strenght training, but I guess gardening can count as strenght gardening But what I really meant if you guys workout often, at least... let's say 3 or 4 times a week?

I did gardening a lot, and yes, I agree it can be really intense, but I'd not dare to say is a complete exercise... in the sense there is no way you can do the exact same thing every day for let's say 30 full minutes. Maybe if I had a huge garden? That's the only reason I can't consider gardening to be an exercise.

Back then I was overweight, I did gardening often, but I didn't lose weight I know a guy who lost a lot weight by just cycling nearly everyday. It would be great if we could do gardening instead of exercising tho, I guess it would have the same effect... if we would do it for let's say... 30 minutes 3 to 4 days a week? I really wonder if that's even possible.

 

[Trellum]

I totally agree with Kanas Terri on this one - how on earth anyone could say that gardening does not qualify as exercise is beyond me, unless of course, you were one of those people that preferred to sit and admire, rather than do anything too strenuous. only getting up occasionally to do a bit of light pruning or stroking of plants in order to satisfy the description of gardening

Gardening can be a very strenuous activity, in fact so much so, that I have to, as they say in the exercise world 'cross train' in order to do so, otherwise I would never be able to move large rocks, heavy terracotta pots, push heavy wheelbarrows full of compost, dig large holes in rock solid ground to accommodate plants, prune large branches off trees and then saw them up, carry bucket loads of abundant produce and all the other things, that go with tending a large garden planted with an abundance of vegetables, fruit trees and ornamentals and of course thats not taking into account, all the walking or carrying involved from one area of the garden to another

I think it would be safe to say, that combined with riding my mountain bike and gardening, I work out 7 days a week, but think that for most people 3 times a week is adequate, especially as people are more likely to stick to 3 times a week, than pushing themselves to do it more often, which normally results in them giving up before they've started to see or feel any real benefits.

I didn't have the hard core gardener in mind when I wrote this I actually did that kind of things when I was younger, but I stopped because I was told I could hurt my back even more by doing that, plus getting a hernia isn't that hard. You can definitely get it if you lift very heavy things, I was even told I could get it by just pushing furniture. I'd really recommend you to stop pushing wheelbarrows and that kind of things. You can always as for help I plan to ask for help to my boyfriend in case I need to lift something really heavy.

Anyway, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and that's why I always stay on topic and reply in a respectful way But as former runner who participated in several marathons (before my sickness kicked in an ruined it all), I must say I could never seriously compare my intense training back when I was a runner with the gardening I did as a hobby when I got sick. The running kept me thin and toned; the gardening didn't. It wasn't until 1 year and half ago I started working out again that I managed to lose all that extra weight I gained.

So yes, I was a runner, then I got sick, I gained weight and started gardening again. When I did my gardening I sweat a lot, but I never really saw a real change Now I'm thin again! I workout 3 days a week, but I guess I'm lucky to have a metabolism that responds to that small amount of activity, because my current activity level CAN'T compare to my former activity level (back when I ran). Sadly, no, I'll never run again... is no longer possible (physically).

I'm sorry, as a former runner I just can't lie and say I agree; sorry folks. But I do feel sorry if I touched a delicate topic. My most sincere apologies, folks; I never meant to offend anyone. I just came to this forum to have a pleasant chat, not to start a debate.

 

[gata montes]

Trellum- To be honest, I think you are taking this all far too seriously, as I see it. you asked a question to which you got an honest answer, as simple as that, no worries on my part

Your comment ' when I was younger ' made me chuckle ' though, you are still young now
Regarding your back and hurting it, yes you can if you lift things incorrectly or bend in the wrong way, but so long as you look after you back, by keeping your stomach muscles strong and lift, bend and push in the correct way. no harm can be done, so long as you don't go beyond your own limitations, and yes you can ask for help, but you don't always get it

Unless exercising for the wrong reasons, working out 3 times a week. is actually the recommended amount to maintain a good level of fitness, protect your heart and have a healthy mind and body.

On this topic you might to be interested to know that, recent research has found that people who garden regularly are not only more active, healthier and happier than non gardeners but also live longer too so there has to be something right about everything that has been said, don't you think ?

 

[scotkat]

Today I have walked over 6miles .

 

[Kansas Terri]

Running will give you a cardio workout, and for most people gardening will not do that. Gardening does make my heart rate increase enough NOW, but then I am not in good health myself. When i was younger and stronger gardening did not make my pulse increase to the pace that doctors recommend for good heart health: it often does now.

I am curious: was it a doctor who told you not to lift? My husband had a weak spot in the abdominal muscles that his doctor had told him to keep an eye on: it seems to be hereditary and some of his relatives have gotten hernias on that exact same spot. And, yes, they usually got the hernia after lifting. My husband did eventually have to have that spot surgically fixed. Nobody in my family has ever had a hernia, and we all lift heavy things. I think that the hereditary component is pretty strong, there.

My husband also has a bad back: AGAIN that is hereditary in his family! X-rays show that there is a flaw in the vertebrae. His doctor told him to do light lifting (think small weights) every day to strengthen the muscles in his back but he does not do it. He does throw his back out every few years, but it is his own fault for not following the doctor's orders.

 

[Pat]

I try to walk more than a mile every day to be active. I garden, rake leaves not only for excerise but a type of mediation.

 

[Trellum]

Trellum- To be honest, I think you are taking this all far too seriously, as I see it. you asked a question to which you got an honest answer, as simple as that, no worries on my part

Your comment ' when I was younger ' made me chuckle ' though, you are still young now
Regarding your back and hurting it, yes you can if you lift things incorrectly or bend in the wrong way, but so long as you look after you back, by keeping your stomach muscles strong and lift, bend and push in the correct way. no harm can be done, so long as you don't go beyond your own limitations, and yes you can ask for help, but you don't always get it

Unless exercising for the wrong reasons, working out 3 times a week. is actually the recommended amount to maintain a good level of fitness, protect your heart and have a healthy mind and body.

On this topic you might to be interested to know that, recent research has found that people who garden regularly are not only more active, healthier and happier than non gardeners but also live longer too so there has to be something right about everything that has been said, don't you think ?

On the contrary, I didn't take it as seriously as you thought, but maybe it was a bit weird for you to get an answer like that from me, since I'm always polite and I often agree with everything the folks here have to say (because I genuinely do). This time I didn't quite agree, but it was more because a technicism. I had to say what I really thought, just like you did. I could have gone silent, or say I agree with you, but I'd not be honest. I'm polite all the time, but I do speak my mind, I do it politely tho I also replied because I wanted to make it clear I didn't mean to offend anyone, since in my book I've never concidered gardening a regular exercise. But I never meant that as an insult. We all have different opinions about the same things, I should have thought of that before writing that. Sorry if I sounded very blunt!

When I wrote that post I actually had the ''traditional'' idea of what is considered exercise or a workout in mind. That's because I was a really active person in the past, nowadays a 3 days a week workout isn't much for me. I can't say I'm super active now, honestly. Sometimes I feel I could be more active, but I'm doing what I can with what I have, I feel less guilty when I think about that. And yeah, I was younger back then... 18 years old or so. I ran for years... until I got sick, got fat and... I started gardening I'm 26 years old now, but I've been told I look younger than that. I guess on a good day I do

By the way, I love gardening, nothing against it. I actually plan to garden more once I move. And yes, I can believe people who garden often live longer, after all garden is very relaxing. I know because I did a lot gardening after I had to stop running. I dug a lot holes and pulled some really heavy things. I had never felt so relaxed in my life, I was very overweight back then... but happy and relaxed.

 

[Trellum]

Running will give you a cardio workout, and for most people gardening will not do that. Gardening does make my heart rate increase enough NOW, but then I am not in good health myself. When i was younger and stronger gardening did not make my pulse increase to the pace that doctors recommend for good heart health: it often does now.

I am curious: was it a doctor who told you not to lift? My husband had a weak spot in the abdominal muscles that his doctor had told him to keep an eye on: it seems to be hereditary and some of his relatives have gotten hernias on that exact same spot. And, yes, they usually got the hernia after lifting. My husband did eventually have to have that spot surgically fixed. Nobody in my family has ever had a hernia, and we all lift heavy things. I think that the hereditary component is pretty strong, there.

My husband also has a bad back: AGAIN that is hereditary in his family! X-rays show that there is a flaw in the vertebrae. His doctor told him to do light lifting (think small weights) every day to strengthen the muscles in his back but he does not do it. He does throw his back out every few years, but it is his own fault for not following the doctor's orders.

Hey there Yeah, I was told by a doctor, he told me I shouldn't push furniture even, because if I did it wrong I could get a hernia. So I had to stop doing that. I was at high risk after my last surgery, but so fair it seems all is ok. My mom had a hernia surgery some years ago tho, but it seems the hernia is making its way again :/ Those hernias come back sometimes, so make sure your husband takes it easy. My mom never lifted heavy things after the surgery, excepting for pushing a shopping cart, so I think everyone should be super careful after a surgery like that.

Here is a link with more info on it: http://www.medindia.net/surgicalprocedures/hernias-FAQs.htm

 

[Trellum]

Today I have walked over 6miles .

Way to go I wish I could do that!! I saw the pictures you took yesterday, very beautiful scenery... you're so lucky to live in a place like that!

 

[gata montes]

Trellum - didn't think your answer was weird at all, I was more concerned from what you had said - that you felt bad, because you thought you had offended or insulted in some way and was just trying to reassure you, that you hadn't. Being blunt is fine with me also, in fact its something I prefer rather than superficial responses

Now that I understand your question better, then yes, although as I've already stated, my type of gardening is pretty strenuous, it wouldn't be described as a cardiovascular workout, which is why, as I already mentioned, do as they say 'cross train' by doing mountain biking 3 times a week.
I too, used to exercise a lot, 6 to 7 days a week in fact, and although for the past 5 years, now only exercise 3 times a week, my fitness level hasn't dropped significantly and is still above average for my age.

Happy and relaxed sounds good to me