What a pitiable thing it is that our civilization can do no better for us than to make us slaves to indoor life, so that we have to go and take artificial exercise in order to preserve our health.
George Wharton James, journalist, author, and speaker (1858-1923)
I can't believe he said that some time before 1923. It's true now, of course, but I never thought it was true back then. I like being outdoors, but I seldom get any exercise while I am outdoors. I read, or sit with others and talk. I really need to exercise. I've been thinking about starting to walk in the neighborhood - (thinking about it for more than a year) - but not putting it into practice. We belong to a health club, but we are using it less and less as the months wear on. Something has to change, and I need motivation. Give me a pep talk, won't you?
13 comments:
Walking is all very well, but you need a purpose! Otherwise you keep it up for a week or so, then think of all the things you could be doing! Is there somewhere you go to frequently that you could walk to? Not knowing your neighbourhood I couldn't suggest anywhere, but having a dog gives us a reason to walk.
Someone once suggested skipping (with a rope) for me, but it jiggled me up so much I got the giggles and couldn't go on!! ;) It was something definitely to do in the privacy of one's own back yard!
However, sitting, reading, talking to friends is extremely attractive. :)
I exercise both in and outside the house. I lift weights in the gym, and dig etc outside.
I prefer outside exercise though, because at least the garden looks a bit better at the end of it!
I know where you are coming from. I use to walk with friends in Florida but my Arkansas friends seem to be chair bound so I use equipment.
Kind of sad but since a body in motion stays in motion, I use that as my motivation.
Good luck.
I have never frequented a gym since I left school - a lifetime ago.
Sometimes you need to break a leg to realise how vital one's mobility is.
Walk and enjoy the joys of nature whilst you can. It calms the spirit, it eases the soul, it eats calories and it costs nothing.
Our Gym is located on the second floor of the building it is in and there is an escalator to take you up.
One day the escalator broke down and everyone was standing in the lobby next to the regular stairs wondering how they could get up to their STAIRMASTER EQUIPMENT with the escalalator out of commission!
For me the inspiration is health. When I don't exercise I can't climb stairs, chase after my grandkids or even garden much. I signed up for a gym 10 minutes from home and going even 3 times a week has made a terrific difference. I do feel better, a lot better, but after 3 months I still have to make myself go. I am still losing a little weight every month now, of course it's slowing down as I approach a decent weight. I'm pretty certain it would rise again if I quit.
Inspiration? My blood sugar reads normal, my cholesterol is normal, and my asthma seems to be held at bay so maybe my plan to stay on my feet until doom's day just might work out.
I am guilty also. I do my online exercise thing but I need to do more. The weather is still lousy in Ohio so I'm stuck with that. I think the sun left for parts unknown.
I know exactly what you mean. I have become so much more inactive than I use to be. With more aches and pains than I've ever had, I don't even walk anymore. I do try to do some stretching exercises every day...but sometimes I don't even get to them....shame on me. I never went to a gym...I always seemed too busy to do it when I was younger. Time spent on the computer hasn't helped either....
i love walking my neighborhood, and will be doing more of it, as soon as it warms up a bit.
I kept making noises about exercising again and finally got motivated when my boss wanted us to "run" a 10K race with him. I agreed last July, thinking I would have plenty of time to get in shape for it. So I started walking April 1 - I was kind of forced into it, but I am walking with determination now and actually look forward to it. The ipod helps. :)
Working in the flower beds... wish I could actually call it a garden... up and down and crawling and lifting and carrying and digging... that HAS to count for something. I can do the heat.. it is the humidity that does me in.
Walking in the neighbourhood can be fun. What about those ladies you lunch with... any of them go walking with you? Then take turns in organising the route. You get exercise, chat and perhaps learn something about your area.
I bring my camera for a walk, it keeps saying "Lets go round the next bend, there might be something interesting to photograph for a blog post"!
Get your butt off that couch girl and go smell the roses while you jog in place!
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