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I have a pretty persistent goal to lose weight and get healthy. I love writing but it is not contributing to this goal - I sit, I slouch, I munch on chocolate, and I drink too much coffee. It's not pretty.
Yes, I need to move more, eat better and/or eat less, but I also need to re-work my writing routine and space. To that end, I've purchased one of those exercise ball chairs and a standing-desk-thingy for my laptop. (Um, not to use at the same time though, that would be extremely awkward.) I'll let you all know how it goes.
Anyone else in the same situation, trying to lose weight and get healthy, in general and while writing? Have any advice or suggestions? If you're already fit and trim, how do you/did you do it?
Yeah, don't use those at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI eat healthy and go to the gym several times a week. Plus the unhealthy snack stuff just doesn't come into our house. Makes it easy to avoid.
I like to - okay, need to! - keep chocolate in the house, but I'm getting better at sticking to the serving size or less.
DeleteBoy howdy, do I have the same problem!
ReplyDeleteI've heard some people put a plank across the bars of their treadmill and put their laptop on it so they can write and walk at the same time. Personally, I'd find that awkward. I think some use that time for doing social media. That, I might be able to do.
I like the idea of the ball chair. I also think it would be easier (re: walking) to simply make a rule that you can't write until you've done your exercise for the day. Maybe even set a timer and get up and move every so often.
IWSG #119 until Alex culls the list again.
I can't even read, let alone write, and walk on the treadmill at the same time! Throws my balance all off. I do like walking outside, but I'm waiting for cooler weather. I know, I know, excuses, excuses. :)
DeleteI love the idea of a standing desk thingy and want one too. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Elements of Writing
I plan to do a post about both the stand-up desk and the chair at some point - hopefully, after they work for me. :)
DeleteMan, I totally hear you. I have gained considerable weight since adding writing to my life. I exercise, but not as much as I once did. And the extra sitting really does take a toll. Best of luck in your efforts!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hart. I'll let you all know how it goes....
DeleteYES! I have an elliptical and keyboard-attached tablet, and as long as I'm moving, I'm allowed to write. The physical stuff really gets my brain moving. Here's wishing you success!
ReplyDeleteExcellent point about how physically moving gets us mentally/creatively moving as well. :)
DeleteI've been trying to eat healthier and get to the gym most days of the week lately. All this sitting while on my computer has not been great for me.
ReplyDeleteWhat is it they're saying now? "Sitting is the new smoking." Ugh.
DeleteWith my back, I wouldn't be able to use the sitting ball or stand that long. But being able to alternate between sitting and standing would be nice.
ReplyDeleteI used the standing desk for awhile this morning, now I'm sitting on my regular desk chair. Being able to switch it up is definitely helpful. Don't want to overdo it!
DeleteI am in this exact same situation. So we can cheer each other on. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI'm always cheering you on, Julie! :)
DeleteWriting can really interfere with maintaining a healthy weight. I do okay if I don't munch while I write. I always have coffee or tea nearby, unsweetened for both and I try to walk every day. Mixing in chores keeps me out of the chair for too long periods of time.
ReplyDeleteSusan Says
My hot coffee, iced coffee, iced tea and hot green tea are all unsweetened. For my hot regular/black tea, though, I use sugar and milk. It's a comfort thing. :)
DeleteI'm not good at sitting, so I work out (hike, do cardio and yoga) four days a week. My butt in the chair days are M, W. and F. That's the only way I can keep a balance, but everyone has to do it her way. Anyway, that's my system. It works. . .sometimes. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm very good at sitting.
DeleteI really want to get back into yoga. I used to do yoga videos, and I enjoyed them. This was way back though. Not sure how "bendy" I am now.... :)
I too want to lose a few kgs. I have decided to eat healthy and avoid desserts, fried and junk food. I have had too many functions to attend in the past month, so I will be watching what I eat from now onwards. Good luck with your exercise goals.
ReplyDeleteIt can be really hard to eat well when you have functions to go to and holidays to deal with. Good luck with your eating goals!
DeletePeople think I'm fit, but I'm at least 20 lbs. overweight. lol
ReplyDeleteOOH! I have this app, Workout Trainer. They have short workouts, and I find when I don't want to do Zumba for an hour in my house, I just turn that app on, pick what I want to focus on, and get a good 6-10 minute workout. By the time I want to quit, it's usually already over. :)
I'm definitely going to check out that app, Deborah. Thank you!
Deletei totally feel the same way! and so does my fall wardrobe... more veg!!! less processed foods! more exercise (so hard to dedicate time, but i started tracking my steps and that helps motivate me) and no eating after 9pm - i'll move that to 830 then 8 once i get better at it, which also motivates me to go to bed earlier! i hate getting old!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a war chant - "More veggies! Less processed foods!" Maybe more like a war on unhealthy weight chant. :)
DeleteTotally in that situation. My house and my body have taken a toll from the writing. I have to find better balance or I'll end up having a heart attack and first responders won't be able to get to me through the clutter!
ReplyDeleteI about snorted seltzer out my nose at the idea of the responders having to get through the clutter. In my house, they'd have to fight off the dust bunnies. :)
Deleteps - here's to us doing better in both areas!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! :)
DeleteWe are in the same boat, sister. Chocolate and coffee and sitting - oh my! I wish I had advice but all I can offer is empathy. And maybe suggest taking a walk from time to time. It's good for your writing and for your body. A nice way to break up the day :)
ReplyDeleteHa! :)
DeleteI really do enjoy walking. I'm just full of excuses to not do it - too hot, too much construction in our neighborhood, blah blah blah. Boy, if only excuses helped us lose weight....
Having the correct equipment is the start of the battle, Madeline. I can't exercise much due to Fibromyalgia, but I do some. This year, I finally lost the last of the 30 pounds I added since I retired. My winning method was the foods from Dr. Phil's 20/20 Diet. I know it's not a one-size-fits-all, but it's worth a shot.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on all those pounds lost! I've heard of that book but haven't picked it up. Hmm, maybe I will now.... :)
DeleteI've used a balance ball as my desk chair for many years. Used regularly, it does strengthen your core. Given a choice, if I don't have my balance ball, I'll stand before I sit in a regular chair. They're just not comfortable for me anymore.
ReplyDeleteHope it works for you.
I tried the balance ball in the past and found it difficult to sit on for too long. This is like a balance ball but it's in a chair. Sounds weird but I think I'll be able to use it more, and use it more consistently. Fingers crossed!
DeleteI'm more likely to eat junk and gain weight when I'm not writing than when I am. Writing relieves stress for me and makes me feel good-- then I don't want to overeat. When I'm avoiding my manuscript for whatever reason, then I get stressed and go for cookies.
ReplyDeleteFor me, it's kind of like what someone (Oprah maybe?) once said - I eat when I'm sad. I eat when I'm happy. I eat when I'm stressed. I eat.... :)
DeleteSame. On top of the trying to loose weight situation, I have this chronic leg spasm/cramping thing that requires me to move every few minutes or so to relieve pain. So I'm thinking of trying to incorporate some sort of exercise plans in it. Every time I get up, do some squats or jumping jacks or something. I already sometimes do squats while standing and playing video games haha
ReplyDeleteI try to do squats etc while waiting for my coffee to be ready or something to be done cooking in the microwave. Hey, every little bit helps!
DeleteThe best luck I've had in getting both in is to go for an evening walk then sit down to write afterward. Walking outside gets my creativity flowing. Good luck with the things you've ordered! I have one of the balls and often sit on it to write. Lately, I've been considering getting a rowing machine and stationary bike to have in different places in the house so I can exercise on a whim. Who am I kidding?
ReplyDeleteOver the years, we've had a variety of exercise machines that we used...for awhile...until they became hangers for clothes. :)
DeleteGah, yes! This is the story of my life! I find that the more I write, the more weight I gain. Lol. I need to get active which is my goal for when the kids start school again. I might join the gym and give myself a set time each day that I must work out before I can write. I'm hoping I can find a balance between a healthy lifestyle and writing. Good luck with your goals as well!
ReplyDeleteI would think your kids would keep you plenty active! :)
DeleteA gym is a good idea - I just know I'll go for a little while then stop, using excuse after excuse. It's happened before, believe me. :)
I'm not looking to lose weight, but I did add to my goals this month some exercise ones. Hopefully it will keep me accountable. Good luck to both of us. =)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your exercise goals! Being active and fit is so important.
DeleteI had the best of intentions when I bought the exercise ball to sit on while writing. Unfortunately, Katie Cat made short work of the ball because I fail to keep her claws clipped short. She punctured the ball with one mighty leap....and that was that. Now I've purchased a recumbent exercise bike and put it in front of the TV -- so far, that's going well. I'm up to 30 minutes a day.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I'll have to keep the tortoises and their sharp nails away from the exercise ball chair. :)
DeleteThat is awesome about the recumbent bike - keep going!
That's a great idea to sit on the exercise ball as you write! I might have to put that one into effect. I heard Hemingway wrote standing up, so you're in good company. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis one is kind of like a ball in the seat of a chair so you balance but it's not quite as hard. I'll see how it goes. :)
DeleteI seem to always be trying to lose weight. I've wondered about those treadmill desks, although I fear I'd be challenged when it came to walking and typing at the same time!
ReplyDeleteI won't even try a treadmill desk, at least not at this point. I'm having a hard enough time getting used to just standing. :)
DeleteHmm, that's a hard one. Four dogs definitely keep me active. I don't exactly have a choice about taking them out!
ReplyDeleteI can see that. Somehow, I don't think taking the tortoises out for a walk would have the same results. :)
DeleteI don't know if I'm the best person to give fitness advice. But something I do to relieve stress and get my body moving is water aerobics. It can be a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteWater aerobics is supposed to be wonderful and not too hard on the joints.
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