"I have never taken any exercise except sleeping and resting."
--Mark Twain
--Mark Twain
"Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading. I will rather say more necessary because health is worth more than learning."
--Thomas Jefferson
--Thomas Jefferson
The Jefferson/Twain debate.
For the past six months I've been on Twain's side and I've got ten extra pounds on my butt and hips to prove it. So the most interesting thing in my life this week is finding the will to get out of my warm bed and into my running shoes. Unlike Jefferson, I will not "leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation." Ten minutes of exercise in the morning. Afternoons are for reading.
For twenty years I've battled fibromyalgia and the will to exercise. Even though I know it's important, it's hard to motivate when you wake up every day in an achy-breaky body, feeling like you've got a bad case of the old-fashioned flu.
If you follow me on twitter, you know that today is DAY THREE of Project "Butt out of Bed." The war is on. And I need all the support I can get!
On the plus side, the early morning jog/walks get both my blood and creativity moving.
So who do you side with, Twain or Jefferson? Many say that exercise serves a vital role in their writing life. Is that true of you?
Oh, and in case you're wondering. The winner of Joelle Anthony's THE RIGHT AND THE REAL is:
MEDEIA SHARIF
Please email me your mailing address: yascribe(dot)angelina(at)gmail(dot)com
Congrats Medeia! And good luck with your butt out of bed!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jennifer. ^+^
DeleteYou can do it Angelina! (And would you drag me with you?)
ReplyDeleteI'd love someone to drag along. ^_^
DeleteI've been a lifelong exerciser, so I guess I lean toward the Jefferson side. However, I find that I MUST get on the treadmill in the morning -- BEFORE I wake up. That way, it's half over before I am conscious. Congrats to you, Angi for getting out there! You can do it!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I don't think I'd ever have the energy to exercise in the afternoon. I wish I could say I was a lifelong exerciser. For me it's a love/hate relationship. Hate often dominates.
DeleteI'm with Jefferson, with horns, banners, and a parade. Without exercise, I'm the crabbiest, most anxious woman in the State of WA. You'd think that would make me the skinniest, but alas, I treat myself too well for that. =) And once, while on the cross-ramp machine, music blaring, my WIP took a significant turn. Yay for sweat and inspiration. You CAN do this.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, your comment ended up in my spam folder and I just found it. Sorry! And by all means, my friend, keep exercising! ^_^
DeleteYay, Medeia! THE RIGHT & THE REAL is so good! :)
ReplyDeleteWay to go with the exercise, Angelina! I've been active most of my life (love to walk, run, lift weights), but there have been times when health problems have kept me from that. But I really believe exercise doesn't have to be a crazy-intense sweat-a-thon to be worth it, lol -- I think a daily walk reaps huge benefits for mind and body.
Good luck! Keep at it! :)
Thanks for the affirmation. I need all the support I can get. ^_^
DeleteI agree that exercise is vital. I think a healthy body makes a healthy mind. But, if I don't do it first thing in the morning, then I'm like Mr. Twain. :)
ReplyDeleteI think I'm seeing a morning pattern here.
DeleteI'm a yoga instructor, so my "exercise" is strenuous, but slow(er) than most. I've had a difficult time getting back in my yogini groove since my surgery in February. Yeah, I'd say my butt has expanded a bit *looks behind her*.
ReplyDeleteBut I say, GO, ANGELINA...GET BUSY...SHAKE YOUR BOOTIE. :)) You can do it, woman. I'm cheering you on. ;)
Thanks, Candy. It's always when I have a break in routine due to illness or whatever that I get out of the habit. Hope you get your groove back soon.
DeleteI tend to side with Jefferson on exercise. If I don't do something active for too long I tend to get restless and crabby.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your project!
I wish it were different, but exercise makes me crabby. Crabbier. . .
DeleteI won. :) What a great start to the weekend. Thanks, Angelina. :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with getting your butt out of bed. I need to do the same.
So far so good. Book will be in the mail on Monday. ^_^
DeleteI find walking/hiking very helpful to my creativity as well as my physical health. Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm always amazed at the answers that come while walking. ^_^
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