Perhaps I haven’t mentioned this before, but I’m quite lackadaisical about exercise. I used to be quite energetic in high school – so energetic that I was a cheerleader – but ever since the lazy days of university life began almost 12 years ago, I have been less than rigorous about my “workout” policy (and, believe me, I use the term “workout” very, very loosely here).
For a while there I did some great work with Ashtanga Yoga and I would like to get back into that routine, but the fact that Alex and I work exactly the same hours means that I never have the house to myself. Say good-bye to private yoga time.
So, recently, my wonderful (and far more energetic and dedicated) friends Mairin, Tammy and I have been taking invigorating walks in the various parks here in KL after work. I just love being outside, and I love that I can spend the whole time chatting (instead of focusing on my impending heart attack from all the unexpected physical exertion).
However, as you do know, I will be moving soon, which means I will no longer have my walking buddies and I will be faced with my incomprehensible laziness once again. Therefore, I have devised a plan – in order for me to get the most basic amount of exercise I need:
- to develop a routine. This exercise must be done every weekday for me to make it part of my daily habits. None of this Monday, Wednesday, Friday stuff. If it’s not everyday, it’ll be never.
- to discover an exercise option that is within walking distance from my home. This could be a walk to a park, gym, or class. No more driving to the park.
- to find someone that is willing to do the exercise with me. I can’t seem to force myself to do it on my own. There is strength in numbers, right?
I realize that I’m asking a lot here, and I’m probably setting myself up for failure, but regardless of my impending doom, I ‘m excited for my move. I have the enthusiasm and the will! I can do it! Now all I need is a cook to prepare me healthy meals – no more cookies for dinner, I guess…
What kinds of exercise routines do you have going?
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Same here! If it’s not everyday, forget about it! And it needs to be practical and convenient, too. Driving to some venue to exercise doesn’t make sense to me either. As far a having a buddy? Yeah that helps however this is what I’m doing:
I have a kitchen timer. I set it for one hour and then I work. When the bell sound I GET UP and MOVE…doesn’t matter what I do…but I move. I might go pull weeds mow grass, plant seeds, clean up a room, dance around with some music, run in place or from here to there…whatever.
So that’s the extent of my “routine”
I get up and move around every waking hour for 5 to 30 minutes depending on the task I’ve given myself.
maybe one day I’ll get into taking walks around the block but for right now I can get enough ACTIVE activity right where I am.
Get up and stretch. It feel marvelous to me.
Does sitting on the sofa, eating bonbons count?
My co-worker and I walk to area restaurants on our lunch hour. And most of the restaurants are about a mile to a mile and a half away. This also keeps us from gorging ourselves with food, because the walk back on a completely full stomach is not a task that we want to undertake.
I also have neighbors that I walk with in the evenings after dinner. Nothing too strenuous, but at least I’m moving.
Actually, Laura’s suggestion sounds like an excellent form of exercise. Moving the arms speeds your heart rate, right? I could break a sweat doing that.
I also do my exercise DVDs at home and I have an agreement (with myself) that I have to do one, no matter how short it is, for 6 days a week. I have some 10-minute routines, so even if I feel completely lazy, I make myself do at least 10 minutes (even 10 minutes of ab work is a good workout). Then, I have a little calendar that I mark for each day that I do some exercise. If I make my goal and exercise for 6 days in a week, I reward myself with something that I want (usually a McFlurry, I’m embarassed to admit). I hated it- really, truly hated it- at first, but now that I can feel myself getting stronger and in a little better shape, it’s kind of fun! There’s nothing like being able to walk further or lift heavier weights or do more reps of pilates than you could a month ago!
I try to exercise every other day or so. Basically, I just try to squish it in on the days where I don’t have evening classes. I used to have a workout room at home, which made things very convenient, but since I moved I’ve been having to use the gym at the university. I’ve really got to get myself a treadmill.
Just found your blog and am enjoying the read. I’ve spent a lot of time in Malaysia, although most of it in Sarawak. I’ve not seen KL in many years, (Lived in Petaling Jaya near Parkson Grand for a while in the late 80s.) but am pretty sure Bangkok will be a big change.
I live in Seychelles now, and exercise almost every day … on a treadmill. That’s the only way I get it done. It’s my thinking time. Sweat greases my thought gears.
Dog walking three times a day is fantastic. House work (our maid has gone to pastures new) is doing wonders. Two hours of touch rugby three times a week. Pilates. Oh yeah…..walking to the phone to order take out. That is the icing on the cake.
I recommend shovelglove: http://www.shovelglove.com/
or Urban Ranger: http://www.urbanranger.com/ as entertaining means of regular exercise.
For me, though, I just ride my bike to work every day (5-6 miles) which forces me to get exercise without thinking about it. Now that the temperature is in the 90s this is less pleasant, though.
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