Go green

There is a lot to recommend the great outdoors, from being at one with your environment to using Mother Nature’s bounty to get fit. Fiona Adams shows you how

Want to get fit but don’t like the idea of slogging away indoors in the gym? Then Conservation Volunteers may be the way forward for you. This national community volunteering charity runs Green Gyms, fun and free outdoor sessions where you will be ‘guided in practical activites, such as planting trees, sowing meadows and establishing wildlife ponds’. The emphasis is on health and fitness with volunteers having to warm up and cool down in preparation and there are a multitude of tasks, from light to strenuous, to suit all abilities. So you can burn calories, get fit, meet new people, practise your horticultural skills and help the environment at the same time. What is not to like?

There are green gyms in Richmond, Hounslow, Horsham, Croydon, Newbury and Thatcham, Reading and Sonning. Alternatively start a Green Gym of your own. For details, visit: Tcv.org.uk

If you don’t have your own green space, but you’d like to get into horticulture, why not volunteer at any of the wonderful gardens and parks in and around Surrey. Try the following:

Did you know? 

Getting outdoors is a great way of exercising, both physically and mentally. Aside from brisk walking and jogging – which are not everyone’s cup of tea – just pootling (purposefully of course) around your garden can burn lots of calories*.

  • Digging is one of the best cardio activities in the garden and can burn up to 600 calories per hour
  • Mowing the lawn burns around 400 calories per hour, more if you have to collect the cuttings yourself
  • Sawing wood will keep you warm summer and winter, burning an average 320 calories over 60 minutes
  • General gardening (weeding, tidying, sweeping etc) can see off almost 300 calories in the same time

Brow-tastic

Groomed eyebrows have been on trend for a while, but have you thought of jazzing yours up with a bit of foliage? If so, head to Instagram.com and simply search ‘garden brows’. You’ll be amazed (truly) what you dig up

That’s handy…

Even using gloves, gardeners’ hands can become rough, chapped and sore, so here are my top picks for reviving them. 

A top choice for anyone who is scrabbling around in the soil.

Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners’ Ultra Moisturising Hand Therapy, £18; Crabtree-evelyn.co.uk

A local, natural product using the power of bees.

Beeinspired’s Gardener’s Hand Cream Jasmine, Lavender, Rosemary. From £8; Beeinspiredcreams.buzz

Sun damage can happen at any time of the year, so if you’re outside without gloves, make sure you slather this on.

Norwegian Formula Anti-Ageing Hand Cream SPF 25, £4.79; Boots.com

Really be at one with nature with this lovely, organic cream.

Neom Organics Nourish, Breathe & Energise Hand Balm, £15; Neomorganics.com

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