Exercise

I've been sick, sick, sick this week. I'm finally starting to feel better, although I still sound like I've swallowed a bullfrog. My problem is that while I've been spending lots of time in bed, I've also been neglecting my elliptical and eating any comfort food in sight. The scale has definitely been moving in the wrong direction!

The fact that I'm even worried about this while feeling like crap is sorta an epiphany. I actually MISS my time on the elliptical. I feel so much better after I've been on it. Maybe I've become addicted to the endorphins or something. I would say it might have something to do with watching TV since I usually don't allow myself my favorite shows unless I'm exercising, but I've cut myself some slack this week. Especially since it's been preview week for all the new fall shows.

I'm actually hoping I can get back to it this weekend. I got a new exercise ball as well and I'm looking forward to breaking it out and using it. Do you look forward to exercising? Is it something to dread? Do you have a love/hate relationship?

Instigator

Feel the Burn...

With the kids back in school, I’ve been trying to return to some kind of schedule for exercising. During the summer is really hard, and I kind of view the start of school at my “New Year” when I rev back up on my focus and determination.

For me, there are many correlations between writing and exercise. People who've never tried to write with publication as a goal don't understand this. But I'm sure all you published and aspiring writers out there do.

Ways Writing is Like Exercise:

1. Just like exercise does a lot of good for your body--strengthening bones, building muscle, working your heart--so writing does a lot of good for your mind. Every writing session builds those writing muscles, expanding your ability to endure, to focus, and to create. Increasing activity keeps your mind on the story, training your mind to "see" the characters, "hear" the dialogue, and translate the pictures into words.

2. Just like exercise builds balance in our lives between activity and inactivity, so writing allows us to take care of ourselves as well as others. I'm sure this doesn't just apply to Moms, but I know that writing has helped keep me in touch with me during the sometimes overwhelming demands of my daily grind. I have to schedule time to be creative. Get out of the house so I can write without interruptions or the whisperings of a dirty house. Find a baby sitter so I can attend meetings and workshops. And in doing so, I honor my dreams.

3. Just like I have to force myself to get off my behind and move, many times I have to force myself to insert butt in chair and write. Especially when I'm just starting a book or have hit a snag. When everything is flowing (you know what I mean), life is wonderful and writing is easy. Let the flow dry up and writing can be torture. But the only way to start the stream again is to, well, write. In that way, writing becomes a discipline. One with rewards beyond the obvious, rewards I don't know if I could describe to someone who doesn't have the need to write.

4. Just like exercise quickly falls to the wayside when life gets busy, so writing often gets put on the backburner in times of chaos. At least for me it does. Of course, I don't have the joy and burden of a deadline. The urgent things often get the most of my attention. But I'm learning how to get back on the wagon. By the way, my husband will attest to the fact that I don't view dishes or laundry as urgent.

5. The rewards are proven. For exercise, this might be obvious. With writing, it might be a little harder. Sure, we can see the hundreds upon thousands of books on the bookstore shelves. But if you aren't published, are the results as satisfying? Well, I'm not going to lie and say that seeing my name on the front of a book on that bookstore shelf wouldn't be one of the biggest thrills of my life. But there are other rewards. The joy in finally realizing what I am: a writer. The excitement of plotting a new book or story, with all the possibilities that come with it. The satisfaction of writing THE END. The pride in submitting a work I'm not embarrassed to let someone besides myself see. And to be honest, those rewards beat exercise hands down. :)

So, what will you push yourself for today? What activity in your life is most like exercise (besides the obvious)?

Angel

Coming Soon!

Join us on Wednesday when Cheryl Michael, Social Media Consultant, comes by for a visit!

Good-bye Wendy the Wicked

Well, I'd anticipated having 7 long months of amusing and painful stories to share with you about me and my trainer, Wendy the Wicked. I'd paid for the sessions, so by darn, I'd get blog fodder out of them if nothing else. (I'd hoped for getting thinner and more toned, too, but I knew making a fool of myself at one point was a given.)

Then I went out of town on business for the week. Just one week. Missed one session. When I came back to the gym the following week, I was supposed to get with her and get back on the schedule. No sign of her. The next week, no sign of her. I figured she'd get on my case and start calling me, but she didn't. I started to get suspicious, especially when some dude was sitting at her desk.

So I finally broke down and asked the Twits at the front desk if Wendy was on vacation. They immediately perked up. "Are you one of hers?" I suppose I was. They proceeded to tell me she was still here, but in two weeks, Wendy would be gone. Apparently, her boyfriend had proposed while I was away and she was transitioning off to somewhere else.

Er... ok. So now what? I had a 7 month prepaid contract with her. They said her appointments were being taken on by Dude. I'd eyeballed Dude earlier while I was on the elliptical. I was not really interested in working out with him, much less having him weigh me or take my measurements. Honestly. He's about 22, buff and looks about as bright as the barbells along the wall. He's always chewing gum. I call him 'Dude' for a reason. The Twits said everyone just loved him, but I just don't think I can do it. I know I'm judging the book by the cover, but I don't care. I wasn't comfortable with being forced on Dude. I don't like change I don't initiate.

So I said to them - "And what if I don't like that?"

No joke - the Twits just stood there, stunned. Their eyes got big as saucers as they fought for words that were apparently beyond their vocabulary. I had to elaborate that I'd signed up to work with Wendy and I wasn't certain I wanted to continue with someone I didn't know. Finally, one of the Twits wrote down the number for the corporate office and asked me to call them. I'm currently waiting to see if I can get my money back or not. If not, I'm going to double up my appointments, let Dude torture me for 3 months and be done with it.

If I am stuck with Dude, I'm sure I'll have equally interesting tales to tell. Seriously, I really need to stop traveling. Not only did Wendy leave, but my favorite morning DJ disappeared, too. He moved to a station in Birmingham. When I went to the mountains, they laid off people at work. When I went to Disney, they laid off people at work. A couple years ago when I went to NYC, my grandpa died. Not sure what it is about me traveling... FYI, I'm going to California for the 4th of July, so hold tight until I get back. :)

I'm not good with change. How about you? Am I being silly or would you start working out with Dude?

SP

PS. And I would also like to address the rumors that I somehow murdered Wendy and buried her in my backyard. That's is soooo untrue. It's too hard to dig in my backyard. :)

Me & Wendy the Wicked, Volume 1

I joined a gym in February and as I mentioned before Easter, signed up to work once a week with a personal trainer. Wendy the Wicked is cute, thin and perky. I think that's a requirement. She dances around and cheers, gives me high fives and makes me hug her a lot even though I'm sweaty. When I lose weight she announces it to the whole room. Its really sort of awkward for me. Anyway, I've met with her seven times, the last time being last night. She got me with the darn medicine ball and jump ropes again. Since my arms are like jello, I thought I'd share this funny story I got in my email. About sums it up how I feel today.

A WOMAN'S WEEK AT THE GYM

Dear Diary,

For my birthday this year, my husband purchased me a week of personal training at the local health club. Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try. I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Christo, who identified himself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear. Friends seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.

MONDAY: Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Christo waiting for me. He is something of a Greek god-- with blond hair, dancing eyes, and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!! Christo gave me a tour and showed me the machines. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which he conducted his aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring! Christo was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time he was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week!!

TUESDAY: I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Christo made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then he put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. His rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT! It's a whole new life for me.

WEDNESDAY: The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot. Christo was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. His voice is a little too perky for that early in the morning and when he scolds, he gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying. My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Christo put me on the stair monster. Why the heck would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Christo told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. He said some other crap too.

THURSDAY: Butthole was waiting for me with his vampire-like teeth exposed as his thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late-- it took me that long to tie my shoes. He took me to work out with dumbbells. When he was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. He sent some skinny witch to find me. Then, as punishment, he put me on the rowing machine-- which I sank.

FRIDAY:I hate that demon Christo more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic, little aerobic instructor. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat him with it. Christo wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the stupid barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich.The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?

SATURDAY: Satan left a message on my answering machine in his grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing his voice made me want to smash the machine with my planner; however, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.

SUNDAY:I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my husband will choose a gift for me that is fun-- like a root canal or a hysterectomy.

Have you ever had a personal trainer? How'd that work out for you? Do you prefer the perky cheerleader type trainer or the mean Eastern European woman that yells? I think I respond better to threats than praise, but if nothing else, it gets me in the gym at least once a week and I have to provide a food journal, so maybe it will keep me on track for a while.

SP

Running Without A Wild Animal In Pursuit

I've never been much for exercise. Even as a kid, I'd much rather draw or read a book than play softball. I wasn't on a single team aside from P.E. where I usually got picked close to last (aside from basketball where my height was deemed an advantage.) I did jump rope and ride my bike around, but sports were just not my deal.

My mother attempted to route me though the traditional ballet, tap and gymnastics classes at the YMCA, but I don't recall making it for more than a few weeks at a time. After a particularly nasty growing spurt, my doctor actually took me out of ballet for good. (Just in time, too, because I'm was far too endowed far too early for all that jumping around.)

I just wasn't meant for physical activity. For one thing, I was never particularly coordinated. I was tall and lanky with far too much arm and leg. Dribbling a basketball or moving a soccer ball down the field with my big feet was just a bad idea. I was also not very strong. I could never do handstands or cartwheels like the other kids. I'd fall off the monkey bars. And then, of course, I was also a big chicken. Even at seven, I had a pretty hard and fast rule about my rear end not going over my head. It was just asking for trouble.

And so, I developed quite quickly into an "indoor cat." Like my cats at home, the outdoors is nice and interesting, but I'd rather look at it from the safety of the windowsill. I excelled at academics and left the physical stuff behind me. Speaking of "behind," you'll see where this became a problem. I've never been particularly thin. Weight is always a battle and given that I didn't care for physical endeavors, exercise was even more of a challenge for me. I wasn't the kind that would go hiking or rollerblading for fun. Exercise was a chore, a box to check off.

For some reason, I got fired up this year about exercise. Better late than never, I suppose. I joined a local gym and set myself the ambitious goal of going 4 days a week (M-Th). I leave straight from work dressed in my gym clothes, work out, then go home. I know better than to go home and think I'll venture out again for anything as mundane as exercise.

I started February 2nd and I'm pleased to report I haven't missed a single day - 36 straight workouts. I think I've actually gone to the gym more in the last two months than I have in my whole entire life combined. I've been using the ellipticals, walking and running (yes, running) on the treadmill, taking the occasional aerobics class, and doing a good bit of weight training. I have lost some weight, but mostly inches in addition to gaining a few muscles I've never seen before. Hopefully I'll look fab when Nationals rolls around this summer.

After my first month without missing a day, I rewarded myself with a very nice pair of running shoes. This month, I'm thinking perhaps a massage is in order. Maybe a pedicure. The scariest part of this whole thing - I'm actually liking it! If only I could manage to be as consistent with my writing... Why is it I can only be 'on the ball' with one part of my life at a time?

Do you have a love/hate relationship with exercise? Just a hate/hate one? Or are you one of those people who just love it? What's your favorite type of exercise? Honestly, I'm still waiting on that feel good rush that people claims makes them addicted to exercise. I'm nowhere near addicted yet. Do you have any suggestions for a reward?

SP

PS. The winner from last week's blog post is Caroline. She's picked up two autographed Jacquie D'Alessandro books. Please email me at smartypants@writingplayground.com to claim your prize. After seven days, unclaimed prizes will be covered in gravy and fed to my dogs. Or not.

One Step at a Time

There are two things about my personality that are giving me fits right now.

1. I'm all about instant gratification. I won't lie. I want it now. Now, now, now! I'm like a 2-year-old that way, sometimes, although I try to keep it to myself for the part. I don't get that whole 'sweeter with time' stuff. The only thing that gets better with time is wine. I just get grumpier with time.

2. I don't like to fail. Failure is usually not an option for me. It's one of my greatest fears (up there with clowns, puppets and insects/aliens that burrow under your skin). If there's any question about my ability to succeed (aka. a burning desire to be a ballerina), I simply don't do it. I'm very competitive and I don't like getting spanked at something. That's why I stick primarily to mental activities and not physical ones. I'll take calculus over softball anyday.

On their own, these things are managable. Together, they make certain parts of my life - those that require time, hard work and dedication - very difficult. Primarily they hit me the hardest in two big areas - my writing and my weight.

I am in a constant struggle with both. I want to sell now. I want to write quickly and well, the words flowing like water. I want to come up with the next great idea immediately and have it go to auction. Yeah, I know. It will never happen. This is a sllllloooooowwww business. And a hard one. If not for the adamant voices in my head that insist I continue despite the speed and potential for failure, I would happily return to engineering or open a catering business and let all this go.

And of course, those pesky pounds that snuck up on me while I wasn't looking. I want to diet and see results. Immediately. I want the pill or the magic food combinations that will have me dropping 5 pounds a week so I can finish this and return to my regularly scheduled programming. Of course, it doesn't really work that way. Its another long, slow process that requires dedication and this terrible thing called a 'lifestyle change.' Bleh.

So this is where I am. I've been forced to battle both issues at a pace I cannot set. All I can do is go one day at a time. I've been writing maybe five pages a day during the week. Knocking out a couple chapters every two weeks or so. Slow, but discernible progress. When I look at how many pages I've done, I'm actually quite pleased. Same with the diet. I've been eating well, exercising more than I ever have, and I'm seeing results. Good results. Steady, positive movement down.

The speed is killing me, but I'm sticking with it because eventually I will get where I want to go. I'm the tortoise, baby, with the soul of a hare. What are you impatient for? Are you battling with anything lately?

SP

The winner from last week's post is Laurie. She picked up an autographed copy of Blazing Bedtime Stories, featuring Rhonda Nelson. Email me at smartypants@writingplayground.com with your snail mail info. Items not claimed after 7 days will be given away, or maybe kept, depending on how I feel. How's that for a disclaimer??

If It Walks Like a Duck

No, I am not talking about farm animals today. We do not have a new duck in the fold...I'M the only thing around her waddling at the moment.

I started this year with new resolve: start an exercise program, lose some weight, get healthier. If pressed, the Playfriends would probably admit that I tend to get a little...obsessive when I have a new goal in front of me. I'm not the most patient person on this planet and if I'm gonna do something I want some results for the efforts NOW!

I'm rather proud of myself that several weeks into this new routine I'm going strong. I've missed a couple of my gym days - for very good reasons - but I immediately got right back at it as soon as I could. Perhaps the 'right back at it' is where I went wrong. Or maybe it was buying that wii fit... Either way, I'm paying the price for my enthusiasm right now.

I can't walk. Well...I can but I make this really weird face that Zilla is delighting in imitating, groan like a dying frog and try not to move the muscles in my calves any more than absolutely necessary. And I want to point out right here and now - I have no idea what I did!

Monday I did an hour and 15 minutes on my wii fit. And I really enjoyed it! It was fun and I felt fantastic when I was done. I sat down in bed and pulled open my laptop...15 minutes later I got up to do something and nearly fell to my knees. The pain might not have been so bad if I'd expected it but my calves didn't burn once during my workout!

Tuesday, after spending the day walking on eggshells, I decided a very short workout to stretch the muscles a bit might be a good idea. Got on the wii fit, felt great. 15 minutes after I'd finished the pain was even worse than before.

Wednesday was a gym day and I didn't want to skip it completely so I went and did a circuit weight class. There are only a couple leg machines and they don't work your calves so I figured I was okay...until the instructor told us to do 10 minutes on the treadmill at the end of the class. By then I was stretched out and warmed up and didn't feel bad so I did it. I thought I was going to die by the time the ten minutes was over.

So...today is another gym day. I usually spend an hour there walking on the treadmill and doing the weight machines. I really hate to miss the day but I'm not sure my calves can take it. Yes, I do realize all of my pain is self inflicted...I just can't seem to stop. On the bright side, I'm losing weight. Although, my ass had better start to look amazing PDQ or I'm going to get really upset.

Do you have any funny workout stories to share? Ever push yourself too far and pay the price?

Instigator

Houston, Wii Have a Problem

So, Santa brought me a Wii Fit for Christmas this year. Very sought after, so I'm very excited (and grateful to PC, the Wii fairy) to have it. Not excited enough to get it out of the box until yesterday, but excited in theory. I had to get all the Christmas junk out of the way, read the instructions, and rearrange furniture to make it happen.

Well, I get it out, sync it up, load it into my machine and off we go. Overall, I have to say I like it. It's cute. The little Miis (the cartoon versions of my family and friends) applaud and dance around me when I do well. I need all the support I can get. Of course, when I don't do well, my character drops to her knees in defeat and cries. She's really gotta toughen up. I refuse to have a sissy for a Mii.

So far, here's a rundown of my experience on my first day.

1. I setup my Mii, getting her weighted and BMI calculated and whatnot. I took the balance test and did all the other stuff to get baselined. I have to say I was not particularly thrilled when it told me I was overweight and announced my Wii Age to be 33. I guess it could be worse.

2. I set my goal of 3 pounds lost in 2 weeks. That was the most it would recommend. I'm down with that. I joined Weight Watchers last Monday, so that will help.

3. To improve my balance tests (and ultimately get me back in the 20s!) I started with the balance games. In the first one, my family kicks soccer balls at my head and I have to try to shift my weight to lean over and head but it back. I didn't do so well, especially when they started lobbing soccer cleats and panda heads (I don't know why) at me, which I had to dodge. I did so poorly the first time that when I did adequately the second time, all the characters danced and cheered around me. Sad. I only earned one star for my performance.

4. Next, I did the two different skiing activities. In first, I had so ski downhill and shift my weight to go through the flagged checkpoints. I either missed it entirely or I ran over the flags. Oops. Not so good. Neither was the slalom. Generally I'm supposed to squat down and try to get my balance lined up over this blue dot, then I straighten my legs at just the right time to see how far I can jump. Half the time it didn't register me standing and I would roll down the hill in a giant snowball. Great. One star again on both of those.

5. Then I tried this game where I had to shift my weight to make these balls fall through holes on a table I could tilt. I did pretty good at that, I think. Just as it told me I did awesome, my left leg cramped up. Well, first my foot. The arch of my foot drew up so tight it was as though I was in 5 inch heels. I couldn't straighten my foot or put it flat onto the floor to walk it off. That was followed by my calf cramping into a wicked knot. I screamed for about five minutes, the dogs jumping around doing their best to help while I swatted them away, tears in my eyes, until I could finally force my foot flat and limp around the living room. Awesome. Two stars until I started screaming.

6. I didn't let it get me, down. No sir. I got back on, but switched to an aerobics activity. Shifting back and forth on my feet was out. On to hula hooping. That one was actually quite fun and I'm ashamed to admit, got me a little sweaty and my heart pounding. Generally, I swung my hips around while Mii Jason and Mii Jim (my father in law) threw hula hoops at me to catch. I had five going at one point. I'm sure I looked ridiculous, but whatever. Two stars on this one!

7. Next I tried the step aerobics. Me and about fifteen other Miis were all on stage to perform our stunning rendition of Wii Riverdance to an audience. Mainly it was me trying to keep to the beat stepping up and down and to the sides and whatever. I did okay. Got a round of applause from the audience, but only one star on this one. I think I was going too fast at first. I'll show them.

8. I had two minutes left on my 30 minute goal, so I decided to do a yoga activity to cool down. With the deep breathing pose, I tried to keep my balance centered while breathing to the rhythm of the contracting and expanding circle. Three stars on this bad boy. Those months of sporadic yoga PC and I did last year seemed to do some good. That is, if standing in one place and breathing steady is a skill. :)

At last, my 30 minutes were in the bank. Lots of hoorays and such. I was done. I happily put my board away and turned it off. Now that I have it setup, I'll try to get on it pretty reguarly. It was fun. I did like it. Screaming aside. And of course, as PC has mentioned, you're determined to prove it wrong. No, I'm 29, not 33. No, I don't fall down a lot. I am awesome and I am going to show you. I am going to get the high score. I am going to earn all 4 stars! If competition doesn't get me off my butt, nothing will.

Is exercise part of your resolution this year? How's it going? Do you have or want a Wii Fit? If you have one, what's your favorite activity? I haven't gotten to try them all out yet, but I'm curious as to what others like.

SP

PS. Julia Harper's winner will be announced Monday, so check back to see if you've picked up an autographed copy of For the Love of Pete!