Garden Buff

By Chris Cohan

So, you want a trimmer waistline? Well, then gardening is for you. Numerous studies confirm that those who garden tend to weigh less and have slimmer waistlines than those who do not garden.

Moderate exercise will reduce stress. A terra firma workout will firma up your epidermis and may help you get a better night’s sleep as well. Besides improving physical health there is always the opportunity to take your anger and frustration out on weeds and invasive plants. Rip, yank, kick and pull with abandon. Ah, now didn’t that feel good.

Raking your lawn and garden clean of debris will burn more calories than a brisk walk. Once done, you have a few piles to show for your efforts, along with tidy garden beds. Using a walk-behind push mower to cut your grass, burns more calories than swimming lap after monotonous lap. Skip the pool and the chlorine, which dries out hair and skin. Say goodbye to stale indoor air. Instead, welcome oxygen-rich fresh air into your lungs. Bask in the sunshine and soak up vitamin D to reinvigorate that weary office-bound body. Not to mention, you just saved a few bucks by cutting your own lawn. Use that hard-earned money to buy yourself a slimmer wardrobe.

And it gets better. Dig, transplant, and clip those plants and before you know it fellas you are buying slim-cut shirts. Throw away those puffy pleated khakis and step into stylish slacks.

Of course, like any exercise you should stretch, loosen up, and ease into it. A not to exuberant gardeners: When picking up heavy objects — like large pots —, remember to bend your knees and keep what you’re lifting close to your body.

Take a moment to enjoy the glorious landscape you created with your hands, back, and brain. You did it. An endorphin rush overwhelms you. You are now a gorgeous, rock-hard gardening god or goddess. Feeling and looking good was never so easy.

Now raise a glass to the garden, the place to feel, look, and do good.