Rachel....I like to think as I am bending at the waist that I am doing some form of exercise similar to touching my toes. Somehow that thought adds a little joy to the whole process and I fool myself into thinking it is firming up the tummy. I also use a garden trowel and a plastic bag from the supermarket that the groceries came in. I also use the plastic bags for my kittie's contributions to their litter boxes. Gotta bend down with the knees for that activity! Here a poop, there a poop, everywhere a poop poop!!