Okay my headline is a poor attempt at rhyming and including the theme which is exercise outside. At least moss and lichen play an important role in my Forest People Series. I haven’t yet been absorbed into the tree network, but maybe if I work hard enough I will be.
One of my 2018 goals is getting outside and walking at least 6 days a week. It is the hardest thing for me to do because, in my core, I’m a fair weather walker. Rain more than sprinkles? Please, just keep me under the covers. Snow? Snow is for making a snowman, anything else is too slippery. Above 80 degrees? Too hot. Below 40? Too cold. It’s tough out there. We’ve had a lot of rain, but thank goodness not a lot of snow here. I am becoming one with the lichen.
I’m not sure when this desire for only being out when it’s “just right” became a part of me. As a child and even as a teen and into college, I walked everywhere. Part of it was necessity as I didn’t have a car until after I graduated with my bachelor’s degree. I remember often reveling in the rain and all the new smells it brought with it. For the most part hot or cold was not an issue. Somehow over the intervening decades I’ve become a giant ball of inertia. And having a job that keeps me at the computer a lot of hours doesn’t help.
lichen found hikein’
The problem is, my body needs to move or I will become a permanent part of my furniture and unable to move in the future. My cats may think that’s cool but not me. So how to force myself to meet this goal? I do have a twice a week walking partner, so that helps a bit. When we walk, we manage between 2 and 3 miles.
She’s the best partner because she’s also an author and we can discuss how our books are doing, if we are having a problem with the story, or just share how we are doing in general. Often the time goes quickly and we get more miles in than anticipated. Yay! The question is what to do for the other 4 times per week or when she is not available?
Be one with the moss
Unfortunately, like everything in life there is no EASY button. I just have to do it. So, instead of scaring myself by going all out every day, I’m doing the incremental plan. I do love walking and being in nature. So, I’m going to force myself outside every day with no particular goal in mind except to go at least a mile. I know the hardest part is just getting out the door. Usually, once I get started it’s not so bad.
I’m also going to look into a second form of exercise that I can do at home. I love dancing and have been looking for the equivalent of Jazzercise for a number of years. I tried the high intensity Zumba and it was too much for me. Anyone know an online Jazzercise or equivalent option I can do in my living room?
Is there any goal you’ve set that you have a hard time doing? If so, what different approaches are you trying?
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