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Across the Fence:  Farmgirl Fitness  |
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peachy
True Blue Farmgirl
593 Posts
Melissa
Fennville
MI
USA
593 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 05 2010 : 06:08:08 AM
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This year one of my "resolutions" was to er um...better my diet and exercise (knowing how much I truly love carbs and strongly dislike exercise this will be a huge task!) My idea of exercise doesn't include workouts at the gym, jumping jacks or that exercise machine my husband has in the basement that I feel would better serve its purpose as a plant hanger. Instead I thought my goodness...how much exercise I must get just feeding my critters in the dead of winter right now and doing other various farm chores!
If you're like me or would just like to help me with some motivating thoughts on how I can "exercise" without really thinking I am...please share!!
Here's my few for today...
1. Only wood heat here, so carrying wood up from the basement 6-7 times a day.
2. No running water in the barn, so walking buckets of water out to the critters through the snow - 2 x's a day, usually 5 or more trips.
3. Breaking the ice before adding the new buckets of water 3+ times a day with the big ol sledge hammer that my dh assumes I can even pick up let alone break ice with it!
4. The tractor is broke, so shoveling the driveway, sidewalk and deck should be a power workout I would think:)
5. Rolling the hay off the round bales in 35+ mph winds, running through the yard trying to catch it while it blows, throwing it over the ol shoulder and then with any luck you don't fall backwards into the snow but it does perhaps make it over the fence to feed the cows, horses and goats.
6. Then...chasing the goats when they decide its more fun on the outside of their fence and they certainly have bad manners when you say "come, stay, sit...or are you even listening to me!!!"
Now...I'm wondering why I'm not as fit as a fiddle after reading what I've wrote so far, and its also past time to go do some of these fantastic fat burning activities!! Perhaps I'll come up with a few more while I'm out there but please feel free to add to the list. Maybe between all of us we can come up with a healthy farmgirl workout out on the farm and in the house!! (I haven't even started thinking about my "indoor" cleaning workout yet!)
Melissa
Farmgirl Sister #360
http://oldethymecountry.secure2cart.com/
http://oldethymecountrybarn.blogspot.com/
Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain! |
Edited by - peachy on Jan 05 2010 06:10:57 AM |
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maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2010 : 09:26:56 AM
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hmmm, let me think for a while....
Hugs,
Channah
If you can dream it, and if you are willing to put forth the work and effort, you can have anything you envision. |
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Hosanna
True Blue Farmgirl
466 Posts
Hosanna
Alton
Virginia
466 Posts |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2010 : 12:15:34 PM
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Ha! I'm with you - we just moved from a split-level to a 2-story, so now I have DOUBLE the stairs to do - and while we're moving in I am carrying a bunch of boxes up and down the stairs, let me tell you! I've already decided I can have an extra glass of wine and square of chocolate every day just to make up!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2010 : 1:09:53 PM
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Well, when gardening starts up again, add that to the list. I feel so much better physically when I am gardening.
Also shoveling s**t from the barns. That's a good workout. Bend, lift, throw... then taking it to the garden or compost and doing it all over.
Lugging 50 pound bags of grain, too. And I use alot of square bales. So we have to load them in the truck, then unload into a barn. Then load them back in the truck and unload and take around back of house to the hay shed. I am worn out after doing 40 of those at a time.
Oh, and I am now dragging a 200 pound heifer calf about 100 yards across one pasture to the stall twice a day. Does that count?
Oh, and also going on egg hunts all over the property, every day. That's a good walk. And so fun.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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herblady55
True Blue Farmgirl
3470 Posts
Judy
Louisville
Ohio(Stark Co)
USA
3470 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2010 : 3:52:00 PM
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OMGosh Melissa, you had me rofl!!! #6 sounds just like Bill Cosby on one of his albums talking about kids and how they don't listen to you and you have to repeat everything 3 times! lololol ~~whew~~ you made ME tired with all the stuff you do. You deserve a hot beverage and a cookie for all that! *still snickering*
Farmgirl Sister# 905
Judy
Hugs&Squeezles!
I am not contained between my hat and my boots! -Walt Whitman- |
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2010 : 4:31:03 PM
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I agree that shoveling manure is great for nicely toned arms. Maybe that's the secret of those Hollywood movie stars
Cindy
"Dog is my co-pilot"
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
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Faransgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
895 Posts
Beth
Houston
Texas
USA
895 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2010 : 4:57:01 PM
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I think shoveling that manure is a great workout not only for the arms but for the abs as well. Hauling that wheelbarrow around is great for the abs too. And did you know they actually make an excercise machine that mimics the movement of a horse at the canter. Great for the abs apparently. It sells for almost $900.00. I just hope on the fat old gelding and do one of those workouts where you excercise with a great big ball. My horses have been the best exercise I have every paid for.
Farmgirl Sister 572
May the force of the horse be with you. |
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Hosanna
True Blue Farmgirl
466 Posts
Hosanna
Alton
Virginia
466 Posts |
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homesteaderbelle
True Blue Farmgirl
391 Posts
Belle
USA
391 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2010 : 10:28:08 PM
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Those are some great ideas of exercising! I like to do excercise that is actually getting some things done around the house and farm.
Sometimes, when I am in the house and thinking about exercising, I just think like a five year old and do things that they would do. For example, instead of just walking, I swing my arms above my head and do extra movements. Young children always seem like they are in wonderful, healthy shape, maybe it is because of all the moving!
Belle
http://www.homesteaderbelle.blogspot.com/
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Lynner
True Blue Farmgirl
225 Posts
Sheri
Missouri
USA
225 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2010 : 06:00:12 AM
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Well, I have to say Melissa, I was tired just reading what you do. But I found, for myself, when It think I am working hard physically, shoveling dirt, hauling wood, etc. I find that I am not hitting all the right areas. And so those much needed but not pleasant workouts really are where its at. And I am usually surprised at how sore I am, when I think I have been doing so much. For me, the 30 day shred with Jillian Michaels works well. No, not fun, but I keep telling myself, I can do it for 20 minutes and be done for the day with at least that kind of excercise. Really, I can probably do about anything for 20 minutes. It does loosen me up, and strengthen my arms and legs which I really need before Spring, and planting, harvesting, etc. And no, I am not very diligent. Anything and every thing, can throw me off. I try to be more dedicated, and get usually get 2 or 3 days in, and then skip several days. I really must be more regular with this, as I Have to excercise for health reasons. But even with that, I struggle. 
Sheri
Many Hands Make Light Work!
...God made the seed to grow...1 Cor 3:6
The best fertilizer for a farm, are the farmers footsteps... |
Edited by - Lynner on Jan 06 2010 06:21:18 AM |
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peachy
True Blue Farmgirl
593 Posts
Melissa
Fennville
MI
USA
593 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2010 : 07:51:46 AM
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Wow!! I just love all of the responses! Kris-I totally forgot about my sweet egg hunts, yesterday I had one of my dear chickies try to follow me to the barn in the snow! Do they not realize they sink until they're half way there and need to be carried back?
And yes, stall cleaning-I really do love cleaning stalls (sick eh?) although right now I have my cows in while I'm doing it so I guess my rear end is also getting a work out with their darn heads ramming into me every time I bend over! And I wish we did have some square bales, usually we do and that is a great work out!!
How about that glass of wine and chocolate now Brenda? Can we bring the whole bottle out to the barn or would that be considered cheating on the workout?
I am ready for some spring workouts...I'm living in the wrong climate with all of this snow surrounding me that's for sure!!! All the bending, raking, mowing - sunshine, light breezes, fluffy clouds...oh sorry~lost in the moment for a minute:)
Melissa
Farmgirl Sister #360
http://oldethymecountry.secure2cart.com/
http://oldethymecountrybarn.blogspot.com/
Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain! |
Edited by - peachy on Jan 06 2010 07:54:45 AM |
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chaddsgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
843 Posts
Sarah
Farmgirl Sisterhood #639
MO
USA
843 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2010 : 08:05:38 AM
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Melissa, I do not think it is sick to love cleaning stalls! I love it too! It's usually quiet, I can kind of let my mind wander while I'm mucking. And, when it's done I can stand back and enjoy how neat and tidy and clean it looks! Working a desk job does not provide that sense of accomplishment I feel when I can actually SEE what I have accomplished.
A person is a success if they get up in the morning and get to bed at night and in between does what they want to do. Bob Dylan |
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peachy
True Blue Farmgirl
593 Posts
Melissa
Fennville
MI
USA
593 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2010 : 09:29:14 AM
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Thank you Sarah! I love stall cleaning and my cows do the greatest "bounce around" I've ever seen when it's finished with new bedding!!
My afternoon since my chores outside are finished (until the water freezes) I believe will entail diving into my seed catalogs and dreaming up this years garden. (That is my brain workout for the day:)
Melissa
Farmgirl Sister #360
http://oldethymecountry.secure2cart.com/
http://oldethymecountrybarn.blogspot.com/
Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain! |
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kpaints
True Blue Farmgirl
1564 Posts
karen
cheney
wa
1564 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2010 : 09:45:13 AM
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This post is wonderful! As a matter of fact, I had just been thinking about how to add more movement to my day.
You farmgals all make me tired. I just don't know how you do it all and not be as thin as a rail.
I had a painting business and that is great exercise, climbing ladders, hauling 5 gallon buckets of paint, sprayers, extention ladders, scaffolding, climbing like a monkey sometimes, rolling walls and then there are those ceilings (great neck exercises), climbing in and out of the truck all day, need I say more? Anyway, I miss it now that I am retired (wish I hadn't but the body just couldn't do the heavy stuff much anymore). And my body misses it too...I have gained weight. So might I suggest some interior decorating during these cold winter months? :D
I have a two story house and usually don't use the upstairs much but I am doing a lot of sewing now and my sewing room is upstairs. Lots of up and downs there. Of course, lots of shopping or thrifting (as Katmom would say) is good indoor exercise too, you DO NOT have to buy! lol Keep 'em coming farmgals.
A person will be just about as happy as they make up their mind to be. Abe Lincoln Find your joy and live it. http://cheneybaglady.blogspot.com/http://www.kpaints.etsy.com http://www.thevintagebaglady.etsy.com FG #377 |
Edited by - kpaints on Jan 06 2010 09:46:44 AM |
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Across the Fence: Farmgirl Fitness |
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Farmgirl Fitness
