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The La-Z-Girl Recliner

I hate exercise.

Oh, sure, I love how it makes me feel, and I love what it does for me — and it’s not just about looks these days, it’s about staying healthy and fit — having the energy and strength to do everything I want and need to do.

But I hate doing it.

And how can that be? When it feels so good after the fact, when I know how good it is for me?

Because once I get going it’s not so bad: sometimes it even feels good. And it always feels good when I finish.

But most of the time it’s a struggle against my worst instinct, which is to stay sitting on my butt typing away. Not that work is technically a “worst instinct,” I mean, it’s how I earn a living. It’s actually a good instinct, but everyone needs a break, and everyone needs a little physical activity.

I know the secret is supposed to be variety. I try to break up walking tapes with Pilates and yoga and kung fu stretches, but it doesn’t matter what it is, I have this thing about working out. I dread it.

I’ve been doing it faithfully, mind you — I think I’ve missed maybe two days in a month — and now I know I’m supposed to kick it up a notch. Add another mile, more stretches, a longer Pilates workout. And I can feel a whine building up inside me at the very idea.

Oh, I’ll do it, but I’ll hate it. And love it.

Is it just me? Probably not, considering how overweight we are as a nation.

So how about you? Are you getting your twenty to thirty minutes three to five times a week? And are you loving every minute of it?

27 Responses to “The La-Z-Girl Recliner”

I don’t watch at lot of TV. My guilty pleasure is watching the hot topics segment of The View. I’ve decided that if I’m going to get any exercise in, it’ll have to be during that half hour five times a week. For the rest of the day, I appear to be chained to my office chair, fingers on my keyboard.

Today is day one of my new regime. Pray for me.

by Lorna Barrett on February 27th, 2008 at 9:41 am
We made our garage into sort of a mini gym. That has helped, although it is still hard to drag ourselves in there to actually exercise. We did start playing tennis last weekend, which was a good work out and fun. And I walk the dog every day so I guess that counts for something, even though it isn’t quite a brisk pace since she needs to stop a lot to check things out. And Diana…speaking of sitting your butt in the chair…..how have things been for you since you quit your day job? I know you had a lot of projects you wanted to work on and you were giving it six months to see how it all went. How is it going?

by Linda on February 27th, 2008 at 11:36 am
I joined a water aerobics class. It’s easier for me if there are other people around who are A) doing it for the same reasons I am and B) don’t mind talking while we try not to drown while doing crunches.

Do you go outside to get your mile(s) done?

by Marissa on February 27th, 2008 at 11:40 am
You got it, Lorna. I’m saying a little prayer for you!

by Diana Killian on February 27th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Hey, Linda, I think having a place to work out — making it easy to do it — is part of the key. Having a routine is part of the key.

Ah…the writing full-time. Well, so far, so good. I’m learnng to budget (OWWWWWWW), and I’ve been focused and productive — my worries there were groundless. I find, weirdly enough, that as much as I love writing, I get burned out and tired doing it full-time too. Well, what I mean by that is I find I do occasionally need to take a break — it’s not really burn out. Having been burned out, I do know the difference.

It’s kind of a race to see if the productivity will pay off before the finances give out. Things are lean right now — but we’re still okay. I think, barring catastrophe, I’m still good through the summer, and by then I’ll know if I need to supplement with something beyond writing.

Am I glad I did it? Oh yes.

by Diana Killian on February 27th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
That’s great Diana. I know it must be hard with the budget, but I’m very happy for you that you took the plunge and things are working out for you. I can see how you would need to take a break. Just as with other “day jobs” we all need breaks now and then, even if we love what we are doing.

by Linda on February 27th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Diana, count me in on absolutely HATING exercise! But I do love to walk and it’s gotten addictive. I can plot, sing, daydream or just enjoy being outdoors, when it’s not freezing outside! Weather permitting, I walk the dog for 20-30 minutes daily, then walk alone for about 40-45 minutes. I’m building my way up this week to an hour. Good thing, as yesterday I registered to enter my first ever 5K walk for MS, on March 15 in Tyler, TX. Here’s my personal page if anyone’s interested:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/site/TRC/Walk/TXHWalkEvents?pg=peditor&fr_id=8932&px=4442155

Lorna, that’s when I do my indoor exercise too, when I can (I try for 2-3 times a week), so I’ll think of you struggling through along with me next time the View’s on! It’ll be like having a virtual exercise partner!

All the physical activity has been worth it in spades for me, as I feel much better (when not sore, lol), I’m eating healthier and the biggest plus, so far I’ve lost 15 lbs. and one whole dress size in 8 weeks!

by Texas Lynn on February 27th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Good for you, Diana. Particularly in winter, it’s so tough to drag yourself out of the house. And when there are Girl Scout cookies in the pantry, it makes it even worse…

by Karen on February 27th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Exercise? Excuse me while I go over in the corner and laugh myself sick. *g*

by Tori Lennox on February 27th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
You know, I gave up sugar two weeks ago because it’s the one food that seems to control me, so I’m mighty mad that giving it up and working out 4 times a week has done much on the scale. Why can’t broccoli taste like chocolate?

Keep sweatin’. lady!

by JB on February 27th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I walk 20-25 minutes every day to school, and the same amount back on most days. That deals with what I term the ‘e’ word…

When I was younger I used to enjoy folk dancing a lot, and even occasionally swam. But having had pretty negative experiences of sport at school, it was not until I was in my 20s that I realised I could actually enjoy exercise…prior to then, if I enjoyed it, it could not possibly be exercise!!!

by Rudolf on February 27th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Diana, you are not alone!

And, LOL, Rudolf. I call it the “e” word too. And in my vocab, it’s a curse word. Be that as it may I drag myself to the Y twice a week for an “e” class. I dread it but am always glad I go. It helps that a friend of mine is in the same class. Misery loves company, right?

by Heather on February 27th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Thanks, Linda!

by Diana Killian on February 27th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Texas Lynn, that is brilliant! I’m so glad for you.

I agree: walking allows time to think and relax at the same time — I think of it as toning my mind with my body. ;-D

by Diana Killian on February 28th, 2008 at 12:01 am
See, I freeze those Girl Scout cookies, Karen, and they last even longer! Sometimes I ALMOST forget they’re in the ice cavern.

by Diana Killian on February 28th, 2008 at 12:03 am
I know, Tori, that’s where I was about two years ago. But now I actually…well, maybe look forward to it is not true, but at least I’m committed to it. And sort of proud of myself because it truly seemed impossible for a time there.

by Diana Killian on February 28th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Hey, thanks J.B. I’m learning to love salads — but they’ll never replace chocolate that’s for sure.

by Diana Killian on February 28th, 2008 at 12:10 am
Rudolf, I wish I was better at finding e-activities I enjoyed — maybe it’s the time factor. I can squeeze in walking even if I have to do it inside the house, but if I have to get dressed, go to a gym or a pool or a tennis court…it’s just that much less likely to happen. It’s unfortunate because I love swimming and I used to love tennis, badminton, etc.

by Diana Killian on February 28th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Tht’s the funny thing about it, Heather. I never regret taking time to exercise, only not exercising. WHY can’t I remember that when I need to?

by Diana Killian on February 28th, 2008 at 12:16 am
Well, I’ve been working out since the late ’70’s after that last baby and I saw my figure disappear. I wanted it back, and I discovered running. Boy, did that work. Got myself into better shape than I had since college. So—working out became just another part of my daily routine. Like brushing my teeth. I do it in the morning, preferably after I get up, so it’s easier not to delay. Just get up, make a cup of tea, pull on workout clothes, and just do it—as the phrase goes. That early in the morn, nobody cares what anybody else looks like. Then you come home and throw yourself in shower.

Creating a schedule that makes it easier to do every day is the secret I believe to exercising every day. Well, sometimes I take Sunday off.

by Maggie on February 28th, 2008 at 12:56 am
I hate exercise, too. I was really into it when I was volunteering at our local nursing home, though. I ran the morning activity there, which was usually exercise, so I just got into the routine. Heck, I was even known to get up by 8 or 8:30 on days I didn’t volunteer, watch Casper (Don’t laugh) and exercise. But since I stopped volunteering several years ago, forget it. I just can’t get into it. I know I’m over weight and need to exercise, but hey…I’m stubborn. And it always seems like just when I’m ready to start, my mom decides to criticize me about my weight. The only thing that accomplishes is making me more depressed an then I don’t want to exercise. But I know I really have to do something soon.

by Traci on February 28th, 2008 at 4:49 am
Maggie, you are just amazing. I haven’t run since I was in my 20’s and now I can’t due to the joint damage in all my major areas, hips, knees, feet. i feel like a walking medicine cabinant.

Congrats to Texas Lynn on 15 pounds in 8 weeks. I’m a week behind, working on 7 and have lost 6 so far. But I’m not working out except for the weekend stuff and darts if you can count that.

I did sign up for a cardio salsa class next wednesday night. If I love it, I’ll take six weeks of it, if not, I’ll have to find something.

When I was married it was real easy to roll out of bed at 5 and get to the gym because it was the only time of my own. Now the bed is way to comfortable.

by Lynn on February 28th, 2008 at 8:41 am
When I was married it was real easy to roll out of bed at 5 and get to the gym because it was the only time of my own. Now the bed is way to comfortable.

As I’m getting healthier, I’m sleeping better — which sometimes makes it hard to stick to me five a.m. writing routine. I’m counting on the daylight savings time to save me from my sweet dreams.

by Diana Killian on February 28th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
The only thing that accomplishes is making me more depressed an then I don’t want to exercise. But I know I really have to do something soon.

I hear you, Traci! The thing I always try and remember is that I’m exercising for myself, because it makes me feel better. And it really does. It’s weird, but the more you exercise, the more energy and strength you have for other activities — and it helps deal with depression. It helps you focus too.

AND, best of all, when you exercise you can eat more without feeling guilty.

by Diana Killian on February 28th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Creating a schedule that makes it easier to do every day is the secret I believe to exercising every day. Well, sometimes I take Sunday off.

I aim for every day too. That way, if I miss a day I’m still doing about two days more than I would have if I was just shooting for the necessary minimum. Plus, things come up, that’s life, so you know that you’re going to end up missing a day or two whether you want to or not. Aiming for every day is my insurance policy against my own natural laziness.

by Diana Killian on February 28th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Well, I try to exercise but then work, kids, and laundry seem to sap the strength out of me but I don’t feel so bad knowing that I am not alone. And I too am a slave to the sugar demon with no desire to escape. Like an earlier post, I buy Girl Scout Cookies and freeze them way in the bottom of my deep freezer (for security’s sake) LOL Maybe after this post I will spend some time on the exercise bike. Good luck everyone.

by Rosalind on March 1st, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Hey, Rosalind! When I’m feeling weak (in willpower, I mean) I try and get the exercise out of the way early in the day — because those are the days I just can’t get myself energized if I wait.

Sugar is a demon. I know I should exorcise it from my life but…knowing and doing are two very different things.

by Diana on March 13th, 2008 at 6:17 pm

The La-Z-Girl Recliner

27 Responses to “The La-Z-Girl Recliner”

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