Even if it’s producing results, exercise can be boring. When you think exercise is boring it’s time for a change. Time to shake up the workouts or possibly time to get started with a fitness plan you can manage that will reap solid benefits.
Think of “boring” as a symptom of repetitive stress syndrome. Exercise bores you because your muscles are no longer responding to the actions because you do the same treadmill, the same bike, or the same yoga practice over and over again. You have created “muscle memory,” which is good, but the average person’s muscles respond better to a variety of workouts. Muscle memory is important for dancers and athletes who have to perform consistenly under stress. Games and performances are stressful and these folks rely on muscle memory to carry them through, but the same exercise routine day after day for the average person causes muscle fatigue because after a certain point muscles stop improving they tire and do not improve. This is the feeling that leads someone to think, “This is boring.”
Variety is the secret. Create a fitness program that includes a number of varied options. Exercise reaps more benefits faster and maintains results longer if the body and the brain are regularly challenged by variety. Mix it up. Yoga, treadmill, aerobic dance, walking, martial arts, kickboxing, recumbent bike, and weights can make for an interesting week of productive exercise. And change the locations. That helps also.
There are five primary areas of practice to the Writer Wellness plan. Every other week I will post an idea for relaxation (Monday Meditation,) creative play (Tuesday Tickle,) fitness and exercise (Wednesday Workout,) journaling and misc. (Thursday Thought,) and nutrition (Friday Feast.)
Meanwhile, remember to look for a digital or print copy of Writer Wellness, A Writer’s Path to Health and Creativity at Who Dares Wins Publishing, http://whodareswinspublishing.com.
And check out these great blogs for ideas to keep your writing and publishing healthy and prosperous.
http://writeitforward.wordpress.com/ Bob Mayer
http://jenniholbrooktalty.wordpress.com/ Jenni Holbrook
http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/ Kristen Lamb
http://inspiration4writers.blogspot.com/ Inspiration for Writers, Inc.
http://pentopublish.blogspot.com/ Natalie Markey
http://amyshojai.com Amy Shojai
Check out my new website Joy E. Held
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You’ve hit on some absolute truths in this article, Joy. There are a few moves I realize I can’t forego. (Those I do every other day, i.e., lunges.) In between I walk, dance, include exercise ball work and a variety of exercises that target more than one muscle group, always making sure to engage core muscles. I also work in small bursts of activity (usually 10-15 minutes before work), sometimes twice a day. I’ve even been known to do a few sit-ups in bed just before hitting the pillow for the night. When the weather’s great, it’s off to the tennis court or a nearby wall to hit the ball 🙂 Have to keep the brain happy or it might talk me out of that next exercise session.
Oh yes, one last thing: I’ll exercise while watching a favorite rerun or sporting event–keeps my mind off the boring part and even helps me work out longer!
Reblogged this on Joanna Aislinn's Blog–Love, Life Lessons and Then Some and commented:
Keeping Exercise Fresh is Key to Staying Dedicated. Joy describes a few ways, and reminded me of a post in which I addressed similar issues (http://joannaaislinn.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/newsflash-blog-hopping-can-result-in-inspiration/)! Check them out and let us both know how you keep it fun!
Wow, Joanna! Amazing discipline. But it pays off in great rewards doesn’t it. Thanks for commenting and REPOSTING. Hugs..