Tai Chi - If you grow roses, you know the exact moves of Tai Chi. Slow, methodical, very balanced. If not, you may fall into some of those thorns! (Ask me how I know.) And I'm sure we've all been in some flexible positions taking pictures of a bloom at just the right angle.
Walking - I can walk five miles just looking for the lost tools I placed somewhere, but have no clue where! Not to mention all the walking around looking for the perfect spot to plant that unplanned plant purchase.
Running - Most people don't think about running when they're gardening, but I do. Chasing after an driverless wheelbarrow as it's bounding down the hill. Chasing after the dog that has just pulled up a newly planted tree. I see plant, he sees stick. Running in from the rain, after lightening starts to hit close by. Yes, running is very much a part of gardening.
Calisthenics - Sometimes I find myself flat on the ground (don't ask), and it takes about 50 sit ups to get enough momentum to propel myself up! Jumping jacks come in handy when stepping in a fire ant hill. One-arm push ups come in handy when you're under a bush trying to get those weeds that are just beyond reach.
Strength Training - Who do you think carts around all those concrete blocks back and forth, never quite deciding where they should go?
Brain Games - Can you remember all the names of your plants? I can't either, but after looking them up continuously, I can name quite a few. Plus, I'm learning latin!
No wonder it's so important to get ready for spring by warming up your muscles with some "regular" exercise. Because nothing compares to the exercise you get in the garden. The next time someone asks you what type of exercise you do, don't tell them you garden. They will roll their eyes if they're not a gardener. Instead, list all these exercises and tell them you do them all - every day - from spring to fall.
FANTASTIC post..I am rolling in laughter...yes, it's true..gardening is much more tiring than running/walking. I run/walk on my treadmill but don't get tired; I was mixing some compost yesterday and got so tired..
ReplyDeleteBy the way, that picture is lovely. What do you do to ensure so much bloom!?
All that practical labor does seem more intense than just exercising at home. The blooms? Let's see: either 1) pray; 2) just good, clean living (what my Dad always says); or 3) I have no idea - just plant them and they will bloom! Wish I could give you more specific advice, but my garden is like my hair - it does what it wants, whether that's what I want or not! :)
DeleteClever post! Not stopping during winter means were still reasonably fit for the growing season ahead!
ReplyDeleteNo rest for the gardener!
DeleteThis post is awesome. I always wondered why gardening made me so sore! Now I know what I have to look forward to in a few months at this new property!
ReplyDeleteOh, with a new big property - you will be working every muscle in your body!
DeleteYep, my favorite exercises, it is why I am 10 pounds thinner in the gardening months without even thinking about it!
ReplyDeleteAnd all that Vitamin D helps, too. I think that's why we long for spring so - our bodies need it!
DeleteI just LOVED this post! I laughed and laughed! At myself mostly, because I can totally relate to what you’re saying. Thanks for brightening my day!
ReplyDeleteIt really is a workout to garden, and only people that don't garden think it's not!
DeleteOh, Holley, I know just what you mean. Only gardeners can understand the wide range of calisthenics we put ourselves through. I've been trying to strengthen whatever muscle it is (thigh?) that helps raise me up from off the ground from a kneeling position. There's a guy online who sort of pivots up and down from the ground and that's what I want to do, but so far, not much luck. Gardening is work, plain and simple. I loved your book review too, and your rain gauge. I'm so glad I could stop in for a visit, just got done sweating with Leslie! Thank you for the encouragement, it means so much.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think that's the thigh. I once grabbed hold of a rose bush to help pull myself up. Not a smart thing to do. Since then, I try to work out before the gardening season begins!
DeleteFun post! And after you're done with all these excersises you can follow the example of your cute little garden assistant kitty--relaxing in the shade. :)
ReplyDeleteCats - they just sit around and watch me work! They are the smart ones, aren't they?
DeleteOh, you had to remind me!!! I've been putting it off, but after some set-backs when I didn't 'train', I'll be huffing and puffing - tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI learned the hard way I needed to train for gardening! Not something I would have thought about before I had a garden!
DeleteHolley, you are absolutely right! I exercise almost everyday throughout the year, and still I get sore and tired when gardening! There is nothing quite like gardening! I can't wait to get my hands back in the dirt! Hopefully, next week I'll be planting tomato seeds inside to get an early start. Blessings from Bama!
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to get into the garden and work a little bit every day - that's why I've already started weeding. Those long gardening days will soon be here! Wahoo!
DeleteSo I thought I was doing my daily exercise to lose weight but I see from your blog it does have other benefits. No weeding being done here yet. We may not have snow but the weather and the sun position say its winter so I'll wait.
ReplyDeleteMy weeds are already flowering! No spring bulbs blooming yet, but the weeds like a head start!
DeleteI'm warming up my muscles by going out to the garden every chance I get to see what's happening. Bending here and there to inpsect something. We are having an incredibly mild winter. I actually have hyacinths in full bloom! I noticed lots of daffodils in bloom if they are in full sun. Mine aren't blooming yet. I was really surprised by the hyacinths.
ReplyDeleteThis is a strange year. My spring bulbs have not started blooming, yet some gardens in more northern zones have lots of different bulbs blooming! I guess my bulbs are more used to the mild temperatures!
DeleteHa----those of us who garden know exactly what you are talking about... There's no rest for the weary gardener.... ha
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures.. Can't wait til spring.
Hugs
Betsy
And the gardener is usually weary! :)
DeleteThanks, you brought lots of smiles to me after a long day at work.
ReplyDeleteI hate those kind of days. Hope tomorrow is much easier for you!
DeleteOh YA! Now you are talking!
ReplyDelete(I think there might be a little yoga in there too, when you are stretching into a 'sun sign' reaching up to nip that little broken branch off the Crab Apple tree... that's just a smidgy to far away? Or is it 'downward-facing dog' when the spade is just past your finger tips?)
This post is rocking!
Yes, yoga, too! Maybe gardening should be an Olympic sport!
DeleteI agree with you wholeheartedly, Holley. I am currently stiff as board after a few hours digging weeds out of the lawn yesterday. I often think when I see people out jogging with their weights, that I could put them to work for a few hours, and they would have something productive to show for their exercise regime.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how many muscles it takes to pull out those weeds? Gardening is not for wimps!
Deletegreat post Holley, funny and true. I try to go to a stretch class 3 times a week, and say that it's to make me fit for gardening. The walking looking for lost tools and where to put a plant I can specially relate to.
ReplyDeleteI bet the stretch class does help! It's amazing how much stretching we do while gardening.
DeleteLove your exercise routines...mine consists of walking, bending, stretching and weights..all in the garden...weather is dark and wet for me to do too much exercising outside...soon I hope so I can get in shape for the garden.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed every year when I get back out in the garden how my muscles get sore. Gardening just works us in different ways than most 'regular' exercise!
DeleteGardening is quite the workout. I am always moving things and so I would definitely agree with the strength training. Tai Chi with roses! Definitely! They may be pretty, but those thorns bite. Brain games. Absolutely! Calculating bloom time, plant height, light requirements, mixing colors and plant textures. We gardeners all deserve gold stars!
ReplyDeleteI think that's why traditionally, the gardeners were men! It's hard work!
DeleteSo i'm not the only one who keeps losing tools in the garden then.
ReplyDeleteI try to keep up with them, but I always seems to lose a few no matter how hard I try.
DeleteSmile :) It is documented, actually, as one of the best exercises for over all health. And I think because it so intrinsically motivating!
ReplyDeleteFinally! An exercise I can practice without getting sore! :) And the garden does bring a lot of smiles to my face.
DeleteHaha, great post! There are many evenings after gardening when I'm sitting on the couch with a heat pack from all the lifting, crouching, and general calisthenics (and I'm not that old)!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that the garden can keep you young, but make you feel old all at the same time!
DeleteLove the combination of roses and irises. In particular blue or purple irises with yellow or red roses. Could just look at something with those colors all day long. Thanks for your pictures.
ReplyDeleteI love roses with irises, too. The spiky foliage is beautiful - here, all year long.
DeleteI plant Iries with roses also and my Mother did and my daughter Charlotte does. Your cat looks like mine. Love that red rose If I had room I would plant that one. I had an Iris to bloom at Thanksgiving. My yellow iris tried to bloom too cold. This was a funny and true post. I brought my knelling bench in and I am using it for exercise. I tumbled over once and Carrel was not near enough to help me up, so I rolled until I was near my foot high flower bed and used the timbers to raise myself up.
ReplyDeleteI love irises with roses. I could almost imagine you in my mind rolling around the garden bed to get to the timbers. Funny, but probably not at the time! :)
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