After a long time working for a big company, I quit my job and started my own consulting business. I loved not having to wake up to an alarm clock, not having to commute, and having the freedom of making my own schedule. After awhile, I started to notice that I had put on a few pounds. I told myself it was no big deal, I would get into a workout routine after my business was up and running.

Two years later I was fifty pounds heavier. I could not ignore it any longer, I really needed to do something. But where was I going to find the time now? All the work I put into my business was paying off, and I was busier than ever! What started out as me being able to make my own schedule turned into me being unable to shut the office door and walk away. I was tired, stressed, overweight, and starting to miss my office job.

As a last-ditch effort to turn things around, I made the decision to join a gym. I figured the gym contract and expense of the whole thing would guilt me into never missing a workout. It would force me to follow through.

I kept putting it off. Then, one particularly stressful day, I made some coffee and went out on the back porch to take a break. It was a beautiful day, and I was feeling upset that I never got outside anymore. To distract me from all the negative thoughts and stress, I grabbed a book from the side table. It was a gardening book.

I had always loved everything about the idea of gardening and had always wanted to start a big one of my own. I could picture myself plunging my hands into the warm soil, watching the little seeds come up, getting to harvest my own fresh vegetables. For years I collected gardening books and articles, reading them and stacking them up for the one day I would finally be able to do it.

That’s when it hit me. Why join a gym and literally force myself to get exercise? I could spend the same amount of money on supplies for my garden. Instead of trudging along on a treadmill and staring at a wall, I could be hauling soil and hoeing rows. Instead of forcing myself, I could treat myself. I could do something to help myself live longer and be happier at the same time!

I put in my garden. And although I will not be getting into a pair of skinny jeans any time soon, I did lose some weight. More importantly though, I was able to realize a dream and also found a great way to deal with the stresses of my business. There is nothing I find more relaxing than going out to the garden. On a busy day I find it easy to go outside for a while and do a couple gardening chores, just enough to recharge my batteries. I have even gotten to the point where I grab a gardening magazine instead of a snack! My garden helped me realize that health is not just about weight. It’s about happiness.