I just read an article in the RWR about sedentary and over weight authors. It is so difficult to hold down a full time job and find time for an hour of exercise at least 4 days a week. This really hits home with me. I work full time, write, publish, edit, produce cover art, and try to exercise 6 days a week. By the time Thursday rolls around all I want to do is drive home from work and do the couch potato dance. People I work out with don't understand where I'm coming from and how I feel. EXHAUSTED! With all caps.
I digress. The article was even more interesting when it went on to talk about a treadmill desk—literally—a treadmill attached to a desk set at elbow height. This intrigued me until I saw they cost around $4,000. This isn't exactly the right price for most authors.
Oh, and I forgot the 4 blogs I try to keep up to date.
How do you keep the weight off? And how do you juggle your time between writing, work and exercise? Are you an exercise nut or a couch potato?
The way I stay fit is by jumping up and down with frustration when blogger eats my comment. Gah!
ReplyDeleteI had never been seriously overweight until a couple years ago when I hit an emotional crisis that resulted in a rapid gain of a lot of body weight. I've lost about half of that extra weight, but there's more to go.
Exercise is one component of getting healthy again, but I'm not a fan of structured exercise. I prefer to incorporate movement into my everyday routine so it doesn't become "one more thing to do."
For instance, I have an exercise ball to sit on when I'm at the computer. This provides a core body workout, and I can add a bounce if I'm feeling really energetic. I just need to be careful not to sit on the ball if I'm getting sleepy!
I also recently did a lot of house remodeling, which kept me moving most of the day. And with spring (hopefully) arriving, working in my yard provides both exercise and dirt therapy. In addition, I have a number of doggies who keep trying to get me back in the routine of daily walks.
So I have plenty of opportunity for exercise and movement, I just need to stay in a healthy mindset and get back into good habits of movement and exercise.
Timely topic, Allana!
-Amber Angel
I'm an editor and a writer, so double points for the sedentary life, if I didn't try to offset it--and the diseases that accompany it.
ReplyDeleteI saw the post about the treadmill desk. And if I were going to do this, instead of the $4,000, I would buy a treadmill and add the desk.
For myself, I do have a treadmill, so that when I have an extra moment, I can just step on it and walk. And I walk during parts of movies and TV shows, usually at the beginnings. I also have a stationary bike and mini-stepper, so have armed myself to stay healthy.
But being fit isn't just about staying slim or youthful, it's also about keeping your stamina, about feeling more energetic for those things, like writing, that are of the most importance to you.
For anyone who is beginning to exercise, begin slowly and keep it up. Then gradually increase the time and intensity. It will be worth it. Incorporate it into your day, so that it refreshes you during the day, rather than waiting until the evening when you may be tired.
I'm an exercise nut. If I don't work out first thing in the morning, I can't write! If I've exercised, then I'm relaxed and comfortable. If I haven't, my body hurts, I get nasty headaches, and mistakes stress me out.
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