Having just used the Radio 4 Listen Again feature to hear part one of the Science at Nine programme "Am I Normal - Fitness', I wondered if digging the allotment 2-3 times a week is enough to keep me fit.
Various suggestions on what we should be doing to keep us fit included:
- walking 10,000 steps a day (takes 1/2 - 1 hr)
- taking 5 x 1/2 hours of exercise a week
- taking 5 x 1/2 of exercise a week, 3 of these should get you out of puff
- walking up 6 flights of stairs without getting too puffed
- doing some sport several times a week
My only real exercise is on the allotment (that's one reason for doing it) which usually consists of walking the 1/6th uphill mile to it and back again, then digging or weeding etc for 2hrs, usually 2-3 times a week. Perhaps cycling to the library every 2 weeks, 10 miles round trip. The odd hearty vacuum once a month could be added.
I don't need to walk anywhere as I work from home, so 10,000 steps is out. I can't get off one-bus stop early on my walk to work, as I don't go to an office. And I don't
do team sports, so that's out. So am I fit?
I know I could be fitter. I know I could be thinner. Is gardening enough to keep my arteries flowing?
Down this way they have a club called the green gymn. It is for those that want to do some execise and they do old peoples gardens.
The people I spoke to swear by it. As long as you do not overdo it and change jobs ie bending and weeding, digging, raking and hoeing it will keep you fit.
I am a fat barsteward, but I would be really lardy if I did not get my exercise gardening. The only exercise I used to get was my morning smokers cough.
I like to think it's enough, as it's all I do, but I have to confess that on the odd occasion I do cycle or run upstairs, I get the feeping it probably isn't!
I heard on the radio this week that exercising 3 times a week is just as good as five, btw. ;D
I've a pretty active life, but my Dr reckons it's not active enough ??? 20 mins 'brisk' walk a day is what he says - good all-round cardiovacular excercise....well, after 7hrs or so gardening x 3-4 times a week + my own stuff, it's a 10 mn. walk to the pub.....and 10 mns back....don't think it's quite what he meant but it'll have to do ;D
Wow sounds to me like you're pretty active already :o
I do 3/4 hr of yoga toning once a week and i'd guestimate about 3 - 4 hrs allotmenting per week (yes i know, we really ought to be spending more time there at this time of year ::) ) and it's enough to keep me from putting any weight on. I'm sure i'm not the fittest bird, but then unless you're Sally Gunnell who is?
I always say as long as you're happy, feel well and your clothes still fit then all's well ;) ;D ;D
QuoteI don't need to walk anywhere as I work from home, so 10,000 steps is out. I can't get off one-bus stop early on my walk to work, as I don't go to an office.
I also work from home for much of the time. I find that getting a bit of exercise either first thing in the morning, at lunch time or late afternoon helps my concentration and enthusiasm. So, no reason why you can't go for a stroll just to clear your head during the day, indeed it might make you more productive ;D
Three times a week I try to commute to work, despite working from home. Get up, have breakfast, then jump on the bike and do a quick 15-20 mile, get home, shower and start work. Lunch time I will maybe have a 20min walk to the shops/post office/library for what ever I need that day. Evening, 10min walk to the alotment and a fiddle about there for 1/2 an hour. Seems to keep me at least as fit as the average person.
These short bouts of exercise are easy to fit into the day and make you feel much better for it.
I'll just reiterate that a 'brisk' 20mnt daily walk, ie not a dawdle, but at a pace fast enough to almost put you out of breath, is what my Dr. ordered.....oh! how dismissive he was of my gardening efforts :o...bending or crouched down, restricting veins and arteries....he didn't rate it at all. Bet his garden's full of weeds...and I hope they're a mixture of marestail, bindweed, knotweed and every other bloomin evil known to man ;) And if he asks me to go weed it for him? No chance! I'll be briskly walking away, in the direction of the pub ;D
I would like to think it is enough but........not this year because nearly every time I have got near those lottie gates the heavens have emptied on me and not wanting to get pnemonia I have just turned round and walked home again!!!!!
WE are certainly a lot fitter since we got the plots last year. Trouble is like Lish said . when you have been at the plot all day you are ready for a bevvy when you get home. Mines a dry white wine and tonic BTW
I've been out on those days Meg... best ones to sow my carrots I find... wet soil and a bit of fleece... have rows (12) from three monthly sowings!
;D
well I always thought it would be, but was shocked to see on my stepometer thingy that I hardly registered any steps at the lottie - despite feeling that I'm constantly treking from one end of the lottie to the other for some forgotten thingy or other. Lifting and digging are quite good, but I think as general exercise it's probably not enough (not that I do anything else :-[)
I don't think just doing the lotty is enough exercise. I take between one and two hours brisk excercise every day and I wouldn't say I was particularly fit. Mind I do both enjoy a drink and a few fags aswell ;D ;D
Quotebut was shocked to see on my stepometer thingy that I hardly registered any steps at the lottie
I wouldn't put too much faith in those stepometer things. They only seem to count properly when you are walking a walk rather than pottering about, bending, side-stepping etc. Also much of the work done at the lottie such as weeding, hoeing, harvesting even, is good exercise without clocking up many steps.
Does a lottie keep you fit? It certainly helps but will vary from person to person, the amount and frequency of visits, your current fitness and ability to do garden work etc. Taking on my present allotment was partly to compensate for a reduction in exercise due to my career moving towards desk-based IT work.
I always say as long as you're happy, feel well and your clothes still fit then all's well ;) ;D ;D
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I agree Kitten, I walk to and from work and home and back for lunch (10 mins each way), 3-4 hours a week in the garden or on the allotment and thats it. I try and eat sensibly during the week and enjoy my food and drink at the weekends. You have to die of something I always think ::)