We sit. We type or scribble. We sit more. We type or scribble more.
Writers don't move much. The job requires long lengths of time parked in a chair.
How do you feel about your physical state right now?
Two weeks ago I threw my hands in the air, let out a squeal of frustration, and announced I'd had it. I was going back to my yoga regimen. As soon as I said it, I wanted to take it back. There were no double fist pumps in the air at the thought of "the yoga regimen."
Why? The DVD I use is hard. Turn your legs to jelly hard. Make you want to vomit hard. Fifty minutes of intense poses designed to either kill you or make you wish you were dead. So why would I want to put myself through that?
Well, let's just say the thighs have grown jiggly and quarters don't bounce off my stomach, they get lost, like in a bubblegum machine. Am I overweight? No. Have I lost much of my hard-earned muscle tone? Yes.
I don't like it. Not one bit.
I've always been active. I inherited a whole lotta energy from my mom. (Thanks Mom!) Time and the computer chair have eroded my athleticism, and I miss it. I like fitting into the clothes in my closet. I don't like squeezing into them, or worse, busting out of them. (Sorry jeans. You had a rough winter.)
And my back needs to be strong to type all day. My body needs the physical exertion to balance the mental workout. I sleep better when I'm active. I feel better when I'm moving. I even eat better!
I'm proud to say I'm still doing the yoga DVD. Not every day--that would be cruel. And I'm sneaking in more walks, bike rides and swims too.
What do you do to stay healthy? Do you have a workout routine? Or did you abandon it like I did? How does it affect your writing? Does your back ache after a certain amount of time? Do you feel uncomfortable in your clothes? What can you do to feel healthier?
Have a great day!
Such a great thing to keep in mind. During the school year, I completely stopped working out. I used to go jogging and do pilates/yoga every morning. But after I had Brogan in October, and then trying to squeeze in writing time, my work out regimen went bye-bye. Now that it's summer, I'm slowly getting back into things and it feels great. The first day I did situps, my abs were sore for three days! I really want to know what yoga DVD you do!
ReplyDeleteWow, you've hit on something I've been thinking about a lot lately. I've really let my writing time suck up any work out time and I'm paying for it a bit. My kids like to jiggle my calves back and forth and laugh!
ReplyDeleteI'm a runner and I'm finding I'm down to about once a week, Yikes!!
I need to figure out this balance thing!
~ Wendy
Katie: That first year after having a baby is so tough on your body! And I'm in awe of "jogging and yoga/pilates" every morning--wow!! The only thing I lift in the morning is my coffee cup.
ReplyDeleteOh, the yoga DVD is Ali McGraw Yoga. It's fifteen years old, but it works! My goodness it works...
Wendy: I didn't know you run--that's great! Don't you love when the kids remind us of our flaws? I went shopping with my daughter a few months ago and asked her what she thought about the pants I tried on. She was trying so hard to be nice but ended up with a "Mom, I'm not trying to be mean but they kind of make your butt look big." And I said, "Honey, my butt IS big." And we laughed! Hey, the truth hurts sometimes!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
i go jogging at night (at least, that's the current way)...usually with my husband, so it doubles as couple time. this is about the only way jogging down here in the HOT SOUTH will work for me. i'm just not acclimated to run at noon like i used to when i lived here before!
ReplyDeleteI abandoned the USS Healthy back when I was preggers 3 times in 36 months.
ReplyDeleteDo my perpetual trips back and forth to the coffee pot count as a regime? :)
I've just been bemoaning my physical state and the pounds that have crept on the last 6 months. Probably some stress there, but still, I have got to do something!
ReplyDeleteLike Jeannie, it is just too hot in Texas to be outside unless it is EARLY in the morning or LATE at night. I may have to break out a DVD and get back into some pilates.
I don't workout as much as did before writing, but I still work out pretty regularly. I find that if I am even five pounds above the norm, I start to feel uncomfortable, so then I work out harder. Lately, I've actually been dieting and working out a lot, so I'm several pounds below where I was before. But, it is time consuming, and I haven't had as much time to write. Finding the balance has been the hardest thing.
ReplyDeleteJeannie: Jogging with your husband sounds so nice. I'll bet it takes your mind off of the workout, too!
ReplyDeleteAngie: Three pregnancies in three years!! My goodness--abandon USS Healthy with no regrets!! And yes, the coffee pot trips count because I'd be in trouble if they didn't!
Sherrinda: Yeah, outside exercise is impossible in the south. I live way up north, so summers are quite nice. Winters on the other hand...
Davin: Bingo. The extra five pounds get me too. It's amazing how crickety I feel with only a little extra weight. It's so great to hear a success story--staying healthy is worth losing a bit of writing time.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I'd have to agree with Angie. I'm counting trips up and down to the coffee pot! And how about chasing five kiddos around the house? Surely I can get some aerobic exercise out of the steps? Seriously, I do wish I could make myself exercise more regularly!
ReplyDeleteI've been walking on the treadmill in the evenings. I have to now or else those 14'ers kick my butt. Well, they kick my butt anyway. But summer always encourages me to be more active. And I am taking a sister bonding trip at the end of the summer so I am motivated to look my best!
ReplyDeleteJody: Maybe you should make a workout DVD titled "Chasing 5 Kiddos"? I know it's an aerobic workout!
ReplyDeleteCindy: I used to walk on the treadmill, but now that summer's here, I glare at it instead. Sister bonding trip--sounds fun, fun, fun!! My sister is gorgeous, so I know what you're saying about the motivation.
Thanks for stopping by!
I love the pictures of your chairs btw.
ReplyDeleteMy workout regime is the treadmill but I keep coming up with excuses. ANd I know that exercising helps all parts of your body!! If I don't do it first thing in the morning then I complain I am too tired by the mid-day. I like sitting here cozy in my chair typing. And eating ...
Terri: I have some great excuses! Isn't sitting in a chair, snacking, more fun than walking on the treadmill? Sigh...
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Yep, I've gained a few pounds these past few months. I started working out again in the mornings. I get up, run downstairs and either hit the treadmill or pop in a DVD. Sometimes I just turn on the TV and do lots of cardio moves and pump it up during commercials for more intensity. Since gaining a few extra pounds, I also ten dot just add bits of exercise throughout the rest of the day as well. I do plie squats at the dryer, calf raises while washing dishes, march while waiting for something to cook, etc.... I also keep some weights by my desk and while I'm thinking or reading a page do arm exercises.
ReplyDeleteThen I go eat a darn dougnut, jeesh! I'm a total sucker for pastries.
I've been so sedentuary (sp?) lately that it's getting depressing. I need to make some adjustments and this post helped kick-start it. Thanks, Jill!
ReplyDeleteDiane J: You sound like you get a workout all day long--I love it! I'm definitely adding squats when I pour my coffee. Nice!
ReplyDeleteEileen: Let's just say I refuse to go up a size. Nothing motivated me until I tried on last year's shorts!
Thanks for stopping by!
Mostly, I walk. Walk on the treadmill, walk around the neighborhood, park away from the doors and walk to the store, etc.
ReplyDeleteIt's been harder lately, but I'm headed back to the treadmill on Monday.
Ohh, I so know the feeling. I begged my husband for the Wii fit for Mother's Day. I can't get to the gym to workout so I need something at home. I love it! Only problem is I need to find a way to balance my time between writing and exercising!
ReplyDeleteErica: Walking is therapeutic. It also clears my head. Keep on walking!
ReplyDeleteKara: Wii Fit is so much fun! I don't have it, but I tried my sisters. I didn't appreciate the voice saying "your legs are wobbling." Not at all.
Thanks for stopping by!
Great post! I've actually LOST weight since I started writing. It got me eating less, haha! And I go on walks with my daughter, pop in my iPod, and think about the next chapter I want to write. Summer is nice for that. :)
ReplyDeleteLady Glamis: Typing does occupy the snacking fingers! That's terrific! Your daughter sounds adorable. While you're walking, you can pat yourself on the back for being a good mom, too. Your daughter will probably always enjoy being outside moving.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Jill: I signed up for Curves, but have not gone often enough to make it worth the monthly fee, and you have to sign a year's contract.
ReplyDeleteI try to walk with my husband when the weather permits, but I'm ashamed to say we've been remiss lately.
I know of one author who goes up and down the stairs in her house so many times a day, but you can only do that if you have stairs!
Jeanette Levellie, Audience of One
Jeanette: The weather has been terrible here this week. It feels like October. Our summer has been cold, cold, cold. My mother-in-law does Curves and she really likes it. You might want to give it a shot!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!