If I didn't have diabetes I would probably never leave the house except to shop for food. I am a homebody by nature. I love my home, my guy, my nephew and our dogs. That's my world. I do not feel the same about the outside world and most of the people in it. The world seems dark and nasty, and most folks appear to be just out for themselves and what they want, and heaven help anyone who gets in their way.
For these reasons I would happily stay at home forever. When I'm not writing, cooking, caring for the pups and my guys or doing my housework, I can sit for hours and crochet, read and watch videos. That's my life and I do love it.
Maybe that's why I am a very sedentary person. Also, I've never found an exercise that I ended up genuinely liking. I've done gymnastics, weight lifting, dance, aerobics, swimming, tai chi and a bunch of other stuff. Now I'm so old and crippled by arthritis that all I can do is walk, but I do walk, twice a day at minimum for two miles. My guy also takes me to parks, malls, antique stores and thrift shops just to walk them, so three or four times a week I ended up covering something like an extra three to five miles.
Walking is fine, as long as there's something to keep me engaged while I do it. I like walking the dogs in the mornings and evenings because they're always excited to go, and they need the exercise almost as much as I do. I can walk all day around a place like IKEA because I like looking at furniture and household stuff. A free park like Disney Springs can be fun to walk around because I don't notice that I'm exercising. I'm too busy people watching (plus people on vacation are generally in a good mood, even when they forget their manners.)
If I had to trot on a treadmill every day I'd hate it. I already tried using a stationary bike and I hated that. Exercise without any way to use my brain is just tedious and boring.
Some tricks I have to make exercise a little more fun:
Chores as Workouts: I do housework every day because I like to keep up with it and spread it out over the week, but also because it's good exercise, too. I never avoid lifting heavy things if my back is okay, as that's like weight training. I get up and do little chores now and again throughout the day to get my blood circulating.
Having Company: I always prefer to walk with my guy than doing it alone. Having someone to talk to is another form of engagement. It's safer for me, so I don't worry about being alone and vulnerable while I'm exercising (and before anyone tsks at me for being paranoid, think about all the women who have been murdered in the last couple of weeks while just walking their dogs.)
Music: Before I lost my hearing I used to listen to music on my Walkman when I walked. It helped a lot. Now I just replay a song from memory in my head.
Optimal Weather Conditions: I never walk during the hottest part of the day. I know, it would make me sweat more, but I'd rather be as comfortable as possible. That said, I will walk in the rain because I like the rain.
Thinking About Work Stuff: Sometimes when I exercise I like to run ideas about my work for the day job through my head. I'll flesh out characters, plot scenes and conflicts and even rehearse dialogue under my breath as I imagine a conversation.
Finally, I try to reward myself often when I reach my exercise goals. If I walk every day of the week with the dogs, and do at least three extra walks with my guy, I let myself have a little treat. It can be anything from thrifting some yarn or books to taking my guy out to lunch. The point is that I appreciate myself and my efforts whenever I work hard and get things done. Having a treat to look forward to can be great motivation.
Image credit: Sleeping girl image by Jess Foami from Pixabay
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