On Working Out

So I’ve been writing stuff recently that doesn’t really fit here, but after some thinking I’ve decided that it’s my blog and I’ll do what I want. Therefore, I’ve decided to start a new series of posts that will just be my random thoughts on a topic (most likely not writing related). All the titles will start with On, so you’ll know what you’re getting yourself into. Welcome to the On Series, where I rant write about random stuff.

Let me begin with a confession: I am a lazy bum who most prefers sitting at home reading or writing and eating chocolate-covered peanuts. This is a sad truth about me that is somewhat no longer true. Deep in my heart I am still that person, but I spend hours every week going against my instinct and I can’t remember the last time I ate chocolate-covered anything.

I know what you’re thinking. You’re a liar and a traitor, Ula!

Here’s the thing, if I could without any damage to my body just lounge around reading and writing while eating chocolate-covered peanuts and drinking wine, that’s exactly what I’d be doing. But over the last few years, my body has been shouting gently nudging me in a different direction. So while I can’t have what I want, I CAN enjoy being in a healthy able body for many many years (hopefully).

I decided some time ago that I have a lot of books to write, and taking into consideration the amount of time going into this first one, I will need to live a very very very very long time. I’ll probably be one of those grandmas you read about who was born over a century ago and is still going strong. At least that’s the plan. Otherwise, I’d have to start rushing around like a crazy woman and I just don’t see that happening. Anyway, turtles live for hundreds of years and they are slow, so I’m going to go with that approach to life.

OMG, Ula, you just went all over the place!

Stick with me here.

So I decided that health and longevity are what I find most enjoyable in life, and that trumps chocolate and wine and all the other things I thought I enjoyed. And come to think of it, my body didn’t really appreciate those things that much, especially compared to green smoothies, which it just seems to love. I’m going to start glowing green soon I drink so much of that stuff. My body has been appreciative and has been letting me know I am doing well.

Last summer/autumn I started working on developing an exercise habit. I’ve had ups and downs, but the fact that I was paying myself for weeks I worked out a minimum of 3 times a week has really helped (and was how I was able to go to London for the Bloggers Bash). Now I’m up to 5 or 6 times a week. In February I began practicing yoga regularly, because I can’t get myself to do strenuous things, but so far it’s been enough, along with my regular bicycling, to keep me in decent shape. Every once in a while my husband and I do some street work out stuff and very occasionally I lift some weights a few times. And that’s it.

I always thought that being fit meant lots of strenuous exercise and killing yourself at the gym. I haven’t been in a gym in years. I’ve discovered being fit means finding what you enjoy and doing it regularly, even if it doesn’t seem like you’re doing much. Even if it’s for 15 minutes at a time. It all adds up.

I’ve lost about 12 kg (25 lbs) over the last 5 months doing things I enjoy that don’t seem difficult to me. I’ve cleaned up my diet to be healthier, but none of it has felt like sacrifice. I still get to enjoy huge gobs of delicious vegan food, including cake and pizza. What would life be without pizza? Definitely not one I’d find worth living.

Basically, my take away is this:

• Being healthy is a worthwhile pursuit.
• Longevity trumps chocolate and wine.
• Find what you like to do (swimming, yoga, dance, weight lifting,etc.) and do it regularly.
• Eat healthy, but the way you eat should not be about restrictions.

This may be a formula for a decent life. I don’t know.

What do you think? I am full of BS? Disagree? Agree? Curious what else I’ll write about for the series?

My two cents: I’ve noticed there are generally two types of people when it comes to exercise on Facebook: those that pose fitspo and those who pose self-deprecating memes on how they don’t work out. Taking care of our health needs to be made cool. It can’t just be ruled by gym rats.

 

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