Does your New Year’s resolution for 2011 include getting fit?

A work out on the allotment

You only have to mention the word “fitness” to most people and they immediately think of spending hours pumping iron the gym.

The good news is…… the gym may be much closer to home than you think! In fact – it could be as close as your very own back garden.  If you garden for pleasure, you may not be aware of how advantageous this hobby is for your health, mind, body and spirit. While you’re constructing or cleaning your polytunnel, digging over your allotment or garden plot in preparation for growing your own fresh veggies, you are actually doing a moderate amount of exercise too. Both fresh air and physical exertion will do you the power of good and can eventually help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels if you do it for around 30 minutes per day.

Gardening is extremely therapeutic. It is creative, fun and involves the use of various muscle groups and a number of different kinds of exercises, including stretching, weightlifting, and a moderate cardiovascular workout as well.

Family Workout

Not only do fruits, herbs and vegetables all stimulate the heart making your mind and body work better, when you have grown and harvested your very own better tasting veggies, you are more likely to eat it making yourself healthier at the same time.

Another great thing about gardening is that for many people it’s already a hobby and if you enjoy the form of exercise you’re doing, you’ll look forward to it, and you’re more likely to stick to your routine!

Here’ s to a Happy, healthy, 2011 from First Tunnels