My cat has offered to assist me in a demonstration of the type of exercise I most enjoy – the photo says it all!
Yes, my favorite form of exercise is sleep, my second favorite form of exercise is pushing the buttons on my remote control, my third is knitting (I move my fingers, quickly!) I have never really enjoyed exercise and most of my life I have struggled to find different exercise routines that worked for me – most of them would not last longer than a few months. When I was really lucky, I may have lasted almost a year – but eventually they have all managed to fade away into oblivion.
Since January I have managed to stick to an exercise routine. I cannot say I enjoy it, but I am pleased with myself for the 9 months of perseverance. I ride a stationary bicycle (while watching television to distract myself from the unpleasant realities of exercise) 4-6 days a week. When I started last January I exercised 20-30 minutes each time. Now I usually ride for an hour each time. Yes, that means I am actually getting 4-6 hours of exercise a week – those who know me are probably quite shocked!
I do feel better – I have more energy and feel stronger – and I am healthier. It has made a big difference – but I still do not like it. One of the realities I am always working on with my children is the understanding that some of the things we need to do in life, some of the things we need to do in life that keep us healthy, are not necessarily things we deeply enjoy. It is okay to not love all that we do, as long as we do what we need to do. I do not have to love exercise, but I have to commit myself to exercising and promoting good health.
I wonder if I have been able to stick to my exercise routine for nine months because of my honesty this time around. I did not pretend to have a sudden affinity for physical assertion – I leveled with myself. I needed to exercise regularly, I was not looking forward to it – and I had to come up with a way to tolerate it all – so I did. Good television plus exercise = more tolerable exercise. I am distracted as I ride – that is a good thing.
Today, 148 days ’til 40, I am thankful for the ability to find ways to make exercise more tolerable – as it makes me healthier.
~400daystil40
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
buckwheatsrisk
September 26, 2012 at 00:16
does reading this post count as exercise? 😉
400daystil40
September 26, 2012 at 23:29
Yes, didn’t you have to click your mouse to get to this post???? 😛
buckwheatsrisk
September 27, 2012 at 00:08
i sure did, so my work is done! 😉
RunFastMama
September 26, 2012 at 00:34
I have gotten into a routine for running this year and training for events. I have to say, last September something shifted in me where I really enjoy running. I have not been able to run since Thursday as I am ill and can’t stand not running!
Great job with the routine!
400daystil40
September 26, 2012 at 23:29
Thank you! I am really hoping that something will happen for me that will eventually make me like exercise. I am now in the space when I notice when I have not been able to – I feel more lethargic, so I suppose that is a good sign! Good job with your routine – you are doing awesome!!! I am jealous! 🙂
basildonkitchens
September 26, 2012 at 01:36
I love the honesty here – I hate exercising too! Keep it up! I will if you do! 🙂
400daystil40
September 26, 2012 at 23:27
Yes, it is SOO important to start with being honest with ourselves!!!! 🙂
A Table in the Sun
September 26, 2012 at 02:11
Isn’t it nice when you can make little improvements in your life? I like your method much better than going Whole Hog into something you know you can’t keep up with…..for example P90X. Sure worked out for the video production company though!
400daystil40
September 26, 2012 at 23:26
Yes, that was important to me. I also realized that spending money on a bike for home (which is not cheap) would cost me less in the end than a membership to a gym I would rarely show up at…. you have to take steps that work for you! 🙂
Lani Longshore
September 26, 2012 at 02:13
I exercise in the morning, before I’m awake enough to realize what I’m doing.
400daystil40
September 26, 2012 at 23:25
hehehe – I have always said that there is no way I would give up good sleep to exercise (I am so NOT a morning person, I HATE mornings) – I am opposite, I exercise at night when I am winding down from a long day. I have never been able to keep up an exercise routine that drags me out of bed early – great for you that you can – from what I understand, it increases energy for the day! 🙂
walkwiththerabbi
September 26, 2012 at 03:00
Congratulations on the progress. You’re “succeeding on purpose.” Very powerful for you and your partner and a great legacy to the kids. Hugs from here.
400daystil40
September 26, 2012 at 23:24
Yes, though some days are definitely easier than others! Now I need to find a way to motivate my partner to join me! 🙂
craftythriftydecoratingwifemom
September 26, 2012 at 04:35
I sooo agree! When I’ve been in good health (for me) spots in my life I’d exercise, and as you describe, sleep better, etc. But those spells have been fewer and further between. You’re several years younger than me, so this old lady says, YOU GO GIRL! Congrats.
400daystil40
September 26, 2012 at 23:23
Yes, exactly! Now, the key is to persevere, even when we do not want to!!!!! 🙂
Theresa ~ SCD Griddle
September 26, 2012 at 05:24
My favorite form of exercise is sleep, too!! 🙂
400daystil40
September 26, 2012 at 23:23
Isn’t it the BEST??? 😛
lijiun
September 26, 2012 at 15:49
Keep it up! We need exercise to keep up our good health! Health is wealth! Cheers!
400daystil40
September 26, 2012 at 23:22
Hehehe- I hope I can!
Another Thousand Words
September 26, 2012 at 18:11
Another great post, 400! I too, since the nasty pulmonary embolism in May, have begun to walk more, and do ‘chair’ exercises (reaches, stretches, leg lifts etc) while I sit at the computer. It has all helped my endurance, and I sometimes must force myself…but any and all exercise makes for a clearer mind and healthier body!
400daystil40
September 26, 2012 at 23:21
Thanks so much! Goo for you that you are walking more and doing more chair exercises – this is so good for you!
Another Thousand Words
September 27, 2012 at 00:19
I know that well…on the advice of my former holistic chiropractor (cannot afford her any longer…She does not take Medicare!), I also do ‘shoulder rolls’, which I recommend for any- and everyone spending long amounts of time at the computer.
kenthinksaloud
September 26, 2012 at 18:19
You’re doing better than me. But then I am PAST 40 🙂 Good luck with the exercises…
400daystil40
September 26, 2012 at 23:21
Hehehe! I just hope I can keep it up – so far so good, but it is very hard sometimes!
Julie
September 28, 2012 at 01:40
Great my goal to re-jumpstart my exercise routine Monday morning. This could not have been more timely!
400daystil40
September 28, 2012 at 22:23
Oooh – I hope it goes well for you – you can do it!!! 🙂
Julie
September 29, 2012 at 03:02
well, just back from ready care… maybe Monday is pushing it? Sinus infection.
400daystil40
September 30, 2012 at 00:33
😦 Feel better soon!
Julie
September 30, 2012 at 17:03
steroid shot and one day later, feeling MUCH better.
400daystil40
September 30, 2012 at 20:21
Sorry you needed the shot, but glad you are feeling better!
Julie
October 1, 2012 at 06:38
Now I have slept so much, my inner clock is off 12 hours!
Getting sick is a cathartic hello to the best time for me write. Late. 😉
400daystil40
October 1, 2012 at 12:13
Oh no, I hope you feel better soon! I also write better when it is late (at night, not late for a deadline!!!)
Julie
October 1, 2012 at 17:10
How are you doing? I mean to ask but forget. 😉
400daystil40
October 1, 2012 at 22:42
Day by day – managed to exercise all but one day this week – how about you???
Julie
October 2, 2012 at 03:31
Not at all, sick, slept most of the week and right now on antibiotics. I hope to be back at it by Friday.
simon7banks
October 1, 2012 at 10:19
This is one description of life that I can’t easily relate to. I was never a stay-in-bed-and-deny-that-it’s-time-to-get-up kid. I was never much good at sports, but when I first discovered spectacular mountain scenery, I straight away wanted to walk in it and to climb the mountains (despite asthma, which was a serious disadvantage then).
The idea of walking for half-an-hour to get somewhere has never seemed unpleasant to me unless I was too pushed for time. Doing things like that gives you time to think.
I can see the health advantages in exercise at the gym, but I prefer to take my exercise doing something I enjoy. The sense of achievement and contentment on flopping down at the end of a twenty-mile hike in hill country with full pack is almost indescribable. It makes the beer taste better too.
400daystil40
October 1, 2012 at 12:16
I like how you approach exercise – exercise in a gym never really worked for me, I was always donating to the gym and never showing (which is really what gym owners want anyhow). I realized I could spend less $ and get equipment of my own and then I was the only one sweating on it and there was no 30 minute limit on each cardio machine. Now one of my dreams would be to have a home large enough to create my own workout room in it……. so not going to happen, but it is a nice dream!
viveka
October 2, 2012 at 20:19
You’re so good … hate exercise and gym – love my Zumba … and talk about exercise !!!
You should to what you feel for – no use force anything, because if the heart and soul has to be in it. We have to do because we enjoy it .. not because we are suppose to do it.
400daystil40
October 2, 2012 at 22:43
I am usually good – today I was exhausted and had a bad day… never made it to my bike….. 😦 I wish I could enjoy it more, but still glad I choose to exercise and be healthy!
search engine marketing
October 17, 2012 at 12:47
Set the Bar Low and Start Small. The first time I started working out, I decided to exercise daily for a half hour. Sounds good, right? Well, starting from zero to every day worked well for a while, but when I had to miss a day because I worked late, got sick or my schedule changed, I felt terrible. Eventually, I gave up and beat myself up over it until I could get motivated to start again. Don’t make the same mistake — if you’re having trouble with every day, start with twice a week, even once a week. Start with something you can definitely do effortlessly. This is where suggestions like parking a few streets away and taking the stairs come into play. Try these minimal daily exercises on for size.
400daystil40
October 17, 2012 at 23:13
Thanks for your great suggestions!