Yes–goofy title but I shoot from the hip–which is part of my problem lately *sigh*. My hips have always been in trouble of causing conflicts–I could never do the ‘Bump’ without sending my dance partner into the next county.
And it hasn’t been getting any better sitting at my laptop on a daily basis trying to ‘bump’ out my next novel.
I’ve read all the ideas from other authors in similar situations–let me see if you’ve heard of them, too:
- Get up and move around every 15-20 minutes or so (great idea if I wasn’t in a 1k1h frame of mind–so I try for after every session).
- Keep healthy nibbles on hand to curb appetite (this one from Weight Watchers meetings) –does baked tortilla chips and fresh salsa constitute healthy nibbles, as I sit at my laptop?
- Go for a walk to clear mind and work out the kinks. (This I do love to do but dealing with 20 mile an hour wind and cold days makes it difficult to force myself to get out there. Yeah, I’m chicken! But then it would probably be a great thing for my hot flashes–that have nothing to do with my sex scenes I’m writing.)
- Plan healthy meals–(I laugh at this one, only because my hubby has been watching and drooling over Food Network shows that have nothing to do with healthy meals–and he’s the one who takes on the cooking–it’s his hobby.)
Okay, you get my drift–I’m looking for any excuse NOT to do the right thing. I want satisfaction without having to sacrifice my writing time. I’ve tried things but never found the right combination to maintain.
I’ve made a pact with hubby that we really do need to focus on our health. We are not getting any younger. I want to do things and go places with him as we go into our solitary years (if that really happens) as middle-aged adults. I want changes but I don’t have the time to work out like a Hollywood Actress after giving birth. I’m an author who wants to work on my career and yet keep healthy doing so–behind a desk.
So I would love to hear from you on great suggestions–whether you are a writer yourself, or someone who has a desk job and trying to find the time in your schedule to work out. Please, any help and ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Raising my cup of vanilla bean latte to you all (which could be part of my problem?). 😀
Hi Loni! Have you ever heard of those treadmill desks? I think you walk incredibly slowly during your entire work session. They look incredibly cool but I’ve never tried it. I don’t have any other great ideas, unfortunately. Looking forward to seeing everyone else’s suggestions! And good luck! On both the deadlines and the exercise!
Pintip! Yea–I’ve heard about them and seen them advertised. I think they would be kind of cool. My problem is I’m one of those people who can’t chew gum and walk at the same time–but I guess I could learn. 🙂 As it is I sit on a large exercise ball for core strengthening and stability–how is it working? No idea. But I guess it might be helping somehow. I’m looking forward to seeing what others say, too. All the best to you!
Hi Loni-Mermaid! I think it’s all about the little things. For me, it’s all about the planning. (We all know how I love to plan.) If I put something in my planner, I will take it more seriously. So I always note gym days and exercise classes, but I also write down things like “take afternoon walk.” Not only does it clear my mind and give me some extra exercise but I usually find I’m more productive when I return to work.
Good luck – you can do it!!!
Sounds like a great plan. I live by my day planner. I’ll have to try that out. Thanks Kerri!
I so hear you, Loni! I am the number one queen of making excuses. This week I’ve been on the treadmill twice, and it’s been a great gateway for thoughts like “okay, I did a mile, how many chocolate covered grahams can I eat?”
Honest, remember the WW mantra that helped me so much: A bite. A lick. A taste. They all count.
Hi Loni 🙂 I would like to start off by saying that the week I indulged in the infamous World Cafe Vanilla Bean Latte, I was a happy little camper. But when I went through the entire thing in that one week, I knew I wasn’t disciplined enough to get another. Man, that stuff is good. If you can ration that out to yourself, you can do anything!!!
I am right there with you when it comes to that desire to just sit down and write lately. It’s a great feeling. By the same token I love to read. And my big thing has been finding time to both read and write in the same day. So what I do is I only allow myself to read all those wonderful books if I’m doing it while I’m walking on my treadmill. So far this week it has worked. I keep the speed pretty low at about 1.8 mph but I hike up the incline. I do it for one hour each morning. Even going that slowly (because like you, I don’t want to trip and eat treadmill dirt) I work up a satisfying little sweat. And then I get down to my own business of writing.
Like my favorite workout guru of the 1990s says, “You Can Do It!” (Tony Little) 🙂
I’m right there with you except I believe I’ve got more ‘but’ to worry about:)…I’ve started weight watchers and the fact that now you can check in via your smart phone helps me. I also have alerts and reminders that go off to make me get up out of this chair! So I’m going to keep working on this and NEVER give up! -:)…Thanks for the excellent post Mermaid Loni!
Susan, I know. My problem is with WW is I can’t seem to eat all my daily points much less the extra points for the week. My problem is mobility. (Though I do figure 8’s while sitting on my exercise ball!) I’ll let you think about that for awhile. LOL. 😉
Carlene,
I had a treadmill (until dd #1 decided she wanted to take it apart and out of her room–now it is in pieces)and I did read and walk (so maybe I can walk and chew gum at the same time). But now I have a little trampoline I use in my office to slow jog on but it’s more like a couple of days a week–not consistant. Maybe if I got DragonSpeak (?) and dictated my stories to my computer while I jogged?? Hmmm…possibility…
I loved Tony Little (still have the VHS’s)!!
I love WW. As I said earlier–my problem is I can’t eat all of my points in a day though and you have to in order to lose the weight. I think a real schedule is the kicker. I’ve got to get my day planner and WW smart phone program to help me out more–and discipline myself!!
Good luck to you and I’ve learned ‘but’s’ can be beautiful 🙂 Someone told me the other day curves are dangerous–well, they were talking about mine! LOL Just remember–I don’t do ‘the bump’ without starting a small earthquake.
Diana,
I’m not sure if it’s the heart is willing but the body just isn’t into it–or vice versa, but all I know is something has got to give before the button on my jeans do. 😀 It’s great to hear how everyone has some great ideas. I like the scheduling, too. And it’s true–if it’s important to us, we schedule it in our day planner. Exercise and health should be just as important.
Hugs to you and thanks! XO to you, too!