Get Your Body In Shape

Man was not made to rust out in idleness.
A degree of exercise is as necessary for the preservation of health, both of body and mind, as his daily food.

And what exercise is more fitting, or more appropriate
of one who is in the decline of life, than that of
superintending a well-ordered garden?

What more enlivens the sinking mind?
What is more conducive to a long life?

Joseph Breck

If you easily get winded going up the stairs or are just plain out of shape, get started on some sort of fitness program. Even if you anticipate it will be months or a year away before you actually take the leap to join the green industry, getting fit as soon as possible will make it easier to meet the physical demands of the job. The earlier you begin, the less it will be a distraction when you do begin working.

Here are some ideas on getting fit without having to workout. If you have been out of the loop when it comes to physical activity, start off by walking or riding a bike. Go play. Do fun things like throw a frisbee, play catch, go bowling, kick a soccer ball, toss around a football, get out a baseball and mitt, etc.

And by all means, take advantage of the obvious - to just get out and work in the garden. According to the United States Department of Agriculture Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, gardening burns about 200-300 calories per hour. If your backyard is not large enough to provide enough of a workout, volunteer in your community or offer to help a neighbour or friend lay some fresh mulch, weed or clean their yard.

Get off the couch and get active, it can't hurt. If at the end of this book you decide working in the garden industry is ultimately not for you, at least you will be in better shape than when you started.

Image Source: Lauren Minco