I'm trying to convince my wife that I really don't need to go the gym. Here is a list of gardening activities and how many calories a 180 pound man burns in 30 minutes. Also, I think I can make a good argument for increased heavy power tool acquisition at my house because, as you'll see, I'm burning 243cal/.5hr using them. I got the info from: http://www.diabetic-lifestyle.com/articles/apr03_burni_1.htm

Sitting quietly-40
Water a lawn or garden -61
Riding mower-101
Trimming shrubs-142
Raking-162
Bagging leaves-162
Planting seedlings-162
Mowing with gas mower-182
Weeding-182
Gardening with heavy power tools-243
Mowing lawn with a push mower-243

I'm itching to get out to the garden and burn up those calories I've taken in the last 2 weeks!!! Since we can't garden year round here, I try to burn them up other ways.

I'm beginning weight lifting (if my tendonitis in the elbow will let me). I intend to be in good shape before I start digging!

Good luck on your power-tool acquisition!

jasonmacd:

When you get those heavy duty power tools, would you come over my house and use them in my yard? I still have alot of digging to do and the heavy clay is killing me! Just think of the calories you could burn off!

I just recently went to a therapist about my back. I am 40 years old, and I have never had any back or leg problems. However, this year due to heavy turning of my huge stockpiles, and hauling truckloads of my commercial compost to customers, my back got really sore the last few months.

The therapist said that my back was fine, I just needed to learn some good proper back exercises, to supplement my daily and weekly gardening and composting exercise.

There apparently is a right way and a wrong way to turn or flip a compost pile! (LOL) Other than that, my doctor says I'm in excellent shape. Even this winter I had less colds than the other members of my family. I think it's because I'm exposed to over 3 times more aerobic microbes than they are, thus building up my immune system! (LOL)

After the therapist taught me the back exercises, now I'm back on track! I'm learning how to make hotter and faster compost stockpiles, all year round, with less turning, more aeration, and more biostimulation from molasses or aerobic teas.