Jumping on the exercise bandwagon
14 January 2010
So, I’m feeling pretty pleased with myself because yesterday I did a little exercise.
The thing is, I’m so not an exercise girl. When it’s nice outside, I enjoy putting McKenna in her stroller and doing our usual loop through the neighborhood, but I’m never like, “Boy, I feel like going for a run.”
Part of this is due to the fact that I wear size 0 jeans with basically no effort. Because I’m comfortable with my size, I lack motivation to do much physically. My husband has regularly been after me about this. Not nagging, just expressing that he’d like to keep me around for awhile.
Exercising wasn’t a New Year’s resolution of mine, but the idea has really been following me around since January 1st came and went. I’m not just talking about all the diet books being displayed front and center, even at the Christian bookstores.
First, my husband decided to make more effort to exercise 5 days a week. He’d say to me, “Why don’t you come down and just walk on the treadmill for a little bit?” Which sounded like a fine idea until McKenna was in bed, and then the idea of curling up on the couch with my book always trumped it.
And then Tuesday I started reading The Art of War for Writers. First the author, James Scott Bell talked about walking being a good technique for writers, that it can get the juices flowing. And then a few chapters later, he quoted Tess Gerritsen talking about how she starts out every writing day with a brisk 30 minute walk on the treadmill and that it’s really helped her.
Who am I to argue with James Scott Bell and Tess Gerritsen?
So yesterday, before I sat down to write, I hopped on the treadmill for a brisk 20 minutes (I’m guessing Ms. Gerritsen doesn’t work around a toddler’s nap schedule, but I could be wrong). It kills me to say this, but I really did feel better afterward. My shoulders had been tight before, and the walk loosened them right up. My mind had been kinda mushy, and afterward I felt much sharper.
I planned on doing this in secret for a few days to see if it stuck, but that went out the window when I couldn’t figure out how to unlatch the treadmill and had to call my husband. But a little accountability never hurt anybody.
Hope everyone has a great day!
Comments
I’m so proud of you! :)
Posted by Ben on 14 January 2010
Awesome. I tell ya, I wouldn’t be able to write anything unless I exercised. Seriously.
I spend a ton of time on my road bike. Hours and hours. . . and I’ve hashed out more plot problems, generated more story ideas, and ….okay, you get my point.
It really does work/help. Woo-Hoo!!
Posted by Lynn Rush on 15 January 2010
If only I had a treadmill—and a place to put one—this would be a fabulous idea. I was actually wishing for one the other day, when yet again the thermometer didn’t break freezing, which pretty much ensures I’m not going to take the kiddos outside for a nice walk any time soon. I miss it!
Posted by Roseanna White on 14 January 2010