Over the last few weeks, I had all kinds of fun baking pies and cookies, and, well, it shows. At this point, all the fun food is gone and we’re doing things like exercising again. Yes, like a lot of people, after the excesses of the holidays, we’re trying to get back into what we’re terming the “healthier living program.” The last time we went on a clean living jag, we termed it the “austerity program” which although accurate, is a bit of a downer, so we’re trying to put more of a positive spin on it this time. Let’s face it, austerity is no fun. Healthier living sounds like it might be better.
My problem is that I hate exercise. Sure, I like to go take walks with my dogs through the forest, but that doesn’t exactly give you an aerobic workout. As I get older, I notice more of those alarmist articles about how women who don’t exercise get osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease and so forth. (Well hey, it could be worse, at least I don’t smoke.)
The problem with exercise is that you have to do it regularly. Finding a form of exercise that I can do in any type of weather is tricky. I mean we tried jogging, but good luck doing it when it’s icy and snowing outside. Falling on my head on the ice is not my idea of a good time.
We’re located about 30 miles from the nearest gym, which is decidedly inconvenient. Plus, since I dislike exercise, I also dislike being surrounded by gym rats. I have issues with any form of jock-hood. Every time I see a soft drink commercial with some steroid-laded mountain biker committing perilous acts of stupidity, I want to throw something at the TV. Exercise is supposed to lower stress, not cause it.
As a few very long term readers might remember, my answer to the exercise problem is to jump up and down on a mini-trampoline. It’s easy and you can do it inside your house without anyone seeing what an idiot you look like as you wave your arms around. Plus, you can listen to loud music to distract you from the fact that you are, in fact, exercising.
Of course, like any form of exercise, most days I have to talk myself into it. Intertia is a powerful thing. But one thing I’ve learned is that the day you most don’t want to exercise is probably the day you most need to.
I’m sure I’m not the only one embarking on a healthier living program, so here’s hoping for a healthier 2006 for everyone 😉