Friday, April 8, 2011

The Grisly Truth about Writer’s Girth

The grisly truth of writing is that it’s a sedentary pastime. We sit for hours pouring our heart and soul into words. We sustain ourselves through quick snacks and write some more. And, when we aren’t writing, we’re reading. Also a sedentary pastime.

So, how do we guard against a growing girth? We schedule in, as part of our daily routine, at least 30 minutes of exercise. Yes, that’s a whole 30 minutes a day when we can’t write and we can’t read and we can’t create. Gasp. But you know what? It’s the best thing we can do for ourselves. We come back refreshed and revitalised.

I’ve taken to listening to podcast short stories while I either walk or spend my allotted time on the exercise bike. What do you do to guard against the girth?


Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the image on my sidebar.

43 comments:

Aurora Smith said...

OH MY GOSH...I was just thinking this today! I was like my butt has gotten big scense I wrote that book!

Shallee said...

This is fabulous advice. I find I have more energy-- mental and physical-- when I'm taking care of my body. I try to take walks with my son or do a workout video as often as I can.

I've found that it's actually a great time to think about my WIP, too. I've gotten some great ideas while exercising! Exercise is helpful in all sorts of ways. :)

Golden Eagle said...

If I'm not too buried in the story I'm writing (or trying to write) I'll get up and jump around the small trampoline in the living room every hour or so.

DEZMOND said...

why do you always connect writing process with snacks, Lyndy :) Is your writing world built on chocolate bars and M&MS? :)

I wish I had time for writing, but after 8 hours of translating in my office it's just physically impossible to stare at a WORD document any longer. If I had time, I would probably have been a bestselling writer by now :((

Unknown said...

Thats my music time, I walk and half dance while listening to music for at least half an hour every day. I am lucky to live by the sea and to have great places to walk. I get lazy though when it is too cold or slippery outside. Oh...SO looking forward to summer.

Old Kitty said...

I love my food too much so I have finally gotten into a routine of 40 minutes aerobics exercise, 6 times a week. I have too - or I would seriously be clinically obese! It's just enough to keep the weight off but it was very very very very hard work convincing my mind and body that the 40 minutes of jumping around was good for me! LOL!! Oh how I resisted!!

Take care
x

Gary Baker said...

Walking the dog is what I do.
It helps me think and lose an ounce or two.
And when you're feeling smug at a flattering review,
nothing keeps you grounded like picking up poo.

Bonnie said...

I usually go to the gym for an hour a day. Either taking classes or just knocking out some cardio. But I have found if I don't go as soon as I wake up in the morning...I usually don't go at all.

Yesterday I was sick so I missed...and today I had a ton to do this morning. So I am subbing a work out video here at home. Or sometimes if I miss the gym I will jog around my neighborhood.

M.J. Fifield said...

I have two dogs who need lots and lots of exercise in the form of runs and walks.

LA Nickers said...

I have been known to use a giant exercise ball, instead of a desk chair. Of course, I have fallen off more than once, doing crunches while editing.


Linda Ann

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Carol Riggs said...

Yep, yep, gotta get that blood moving because more oxygen to the brain is conducive to more creativity. Rah! (Yes, I DO relate everything to writing LOL)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Read, hehe, it happens ;)

Shallee, yes! So true! clears the mind AND gives us thinking time (I always have a notebook close at hand)

Golden, oh a trampoline would be good..hmm, maybe not. I can be quite clumsy. I'd probably injure myself LOL

Dezzy, lol, and why do you think your cakes look so awesome to me? Because they'd make the perfect writerly snack ;) Inspiration food! And I don't doubt you'd be a best seller by now.

Liz P said...

I go walking and running with the dog whenever I can. Wish I had time to get out more though.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Siv, it helps to be close to picturesque places to walk rather than along busy, noisy roads.

Old Kitty, I'm totally spent after only 30mins. I'm impressed you can do 40mins.

Gary, HAHAHAHA yep that would definitely keep anyone grounded ;)

Brea, yep, I find mornings are the best time to do a workout too.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

M J Fifield, yep, it's easier to do when it's for someone else (such as pets).

Linda, those giant exercise balls scare me LOL...my goodness, that's a lot of blogs.

Carol, hehe, it's a good way to be. Creativity is after all important.

Liz, ah yes, to have more time to do everything!

Bonnie said...

Today I did hip hop abs at home...and my cat was convinced I was trying to play with her...throwing herself at my feet. And then during the floor work she kept grabbing at my hands and feet...le sigh.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

lol, Bea, my cat stays away when I start jumping around (probably a good thing) haha.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Man Lydia, did you hit home. Since writing two years ago I put on a TON of weight. Now I'm spending an hour a day moving. I'm dieting and determined to get the excess girth off by the end of summer.

My winter weight will hopefully be a thing of the past. Winter in Chicago is a challenge. With temps for months below 0 degrees or slightly above, I tend to hibernate. I hope to find some kind of program to do in my condo.

This is great advise! The weight creeps on and before you know it, it's a major issue.

Paul Joseph said...

I've always gone to the gym at least four days a week. Lately, I started setting my alarm and working out first thing in the morning. It wakes me up and gets me fully energized. After a shower and a decent breakfast, I'm ready to write.

Ashley Ashbee said...

I'm skinny like a rake, lucky me, despite being a dedicated writer.

I suppose I exercise by going for my walks, during which everything outside becomes a narrative in my head -- soon to the page.

I'm glad you acknowledged and face the "girth" issue with exercise. Perhaps a fast pumping heart nurtures creativity.

Susan Fields said...

I watch DVDs while I run on the treadmill, which I love, but it's still hard to pull myself away from the laptop somedays.

Hannah said...

I walk a lot and I'm not a big junk food person so I guess I'm luckier than most. I do love to eat but when I'm writing I usually forget food or drink. Writing is fantastic for my diet.

Jemi Fraser said...

'Guard against the girth' - love it!! :)

I try to walk home from work as often as I can.

Trisha said...

I do a power walk for 20 mins, 5 times a week. And that's about it. Well, other than that I do walk around (though not necessarily all that fast). So I guess I do more.

Unknown said...

I can't seem to want to exercise for 30 minutes but I find I can fit in 3 ten minute sessions. So that's what I do. 10 for abs, 10 for thighs, 10 for cardio.

Anonymous said...

I try to exercise and go for walks when I'm feeling up to it. :O)

Talli Roland said...

Eep! I definitely need to do more! I do A LOT of sitting every day!

Rachna Chhabria said...

I am addicted to my workouts: walks which help clear the cobwebs from my head, yoga for relaxation and my exercise cycle. Plan to do deep breathing exercises too.

D. U. Okonkwo said...

I try and be very disciplined with exercise. I work out at least three times a week before I start writing and try to keep the snacks healthy.

A healty mind and body does wonders for writng, I like to think! :)

D. U. Okonkwo said...

I try and be very disciplined with exercise. I work out at least three times a week before I start writing and try to keep the snacks healthy.

A healty mind and body does wonders for writng, I like to think! :)

Elizabeth McKenzie said...

It's a huge problem--huge. I'm wanting to retire soon and guess what I want to do with my time--write. I worry about it. It's easy to schedule 30 minutes, but when I'm engrossed, I forget to take it, then I stand up and I find I'm stiff. But you have to do it. You have to tear yourself away.

Thanks for the inspiration

kjmckendry said...

Sometimes I move my laptop to the counter and I stand up while writing. Then I can move around a little. My Mother-in-law, has attached her computer to her tread mill, so she walks very slowly while writing.

Heidi W said...

I'm a dog walker, so getting out to walk is mandatory. But I find I do better work during those dog walks than at my laptop. Being away from the keyboard gives me time to reflect and forces me to stop and think instead of hammering away mindlessly.

Jayne said...

Girth. It's a bad word through and through. I walk everywhere which protects me a little, but I also eat tons of chocolate, so feel am a ticking girth time-bomb!

Shelli said...

Easy. I had six kids. They keep me running. That, and I do yoga first thing. It gives me the sanity to run after six kids. :)

M Pax said...

Pilates, yoga and cardio. At least 3x a week. Starting end of next month, the observatory reopens. Then I can add hikes on mountaintops.

The yoga always recenters me. I do some of my best thinking during yoga.

LTM said...

just that--what you said about scheduling time to exercise. It also has the added benefit of getting those creative juices flowing. I always think of my runs as blowing out the carbon buildup on my brain... :D LOL! <3

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Michael, that's so true and my goodness Chicago sounds COLD! :)

Paul, yep, first thing is best

Loveable, I get many ideas when walking too.

Susan, yep, once I'm exercising it's fine and I wonder why I have to force myself lol

Hannah, yep, I've been known to forget lunch when I'm in the zone (oops)

Jemi, that's great!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Trisha, yep, it's good too just to get out :)

Clarissa, that's pretty good.

Madeleine, feels good doesn't it?

Talli, yeah I feel I could do more as well.

Rachna, oh, I should give deep breathing a go :)

D U Okonkwo, yeah that's a good plan. I'm not so healthy on the snacks--need to cut back on the chocolate ;)

Elizabeth, yes, exactly.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

kmckendry, standing up while writing is interesting. I think I'd just get a sore back hahahaha

Heidi, you have a very good point. Exercise can still be good creative time.

Jayne, hahaha I hear you! I love my chocolate as well.

Shelli, wow, yep, six kids would keep you on your toes :)

M Pax, I'm not very good at yoga. I love the idea of hikes on mountaintops though. yum

LTM, hehehe and it works :)

KM Nalle said...

I need to start scheduling some time for this. The weather is finally warming up enough for me to brave the out of doors.

Anonymous said...

So True! My husband shakes his finger at me sometimes and says "Do you know how long you've been sitting at that computer? You're going to get yourself a flat tushy."

Exercise- Good for the body and the soul.

Found your blog via the A-Z challenge. Following You! Come on over and say "hi".
Blue Velvet Vincent

Anonymous said...

I haven't done anything to guard against the girth. There in lies the problem and with this A-Z challenge even more time in the chair and not moving. Not good:)