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Have I ever given the impression that, having learned the error of my sedentary ways, I now
find it effortless to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle? That I never suffer from loss
of motivation? If so, I apologize. I wish it were always easy to get my sorry butt
out the door. And the truth is, it’s much easier than it used to be. But there are
still lots of days when it’s difficult to exercise. I haven’t had enough sleep.
I’m way behind at work. It’s late, it’s cold, it’s dark, the weather is
bad. My only free hour to work out is also my only chance to spend time with my husband
(who doesn’t exercise, so he won’t work out with me, and nagging him about it
doesn’t help).
This time of year is tough for all of us who live above the Equator, waiting for spring.
We know it’s coming, but it’s taking forever to get here. Colds and flus are
swarming, and once you’ve been sidelined, it’s hard to re-establish your exercise
routine. Plus your outdoor exercise options are limited, so your workout creativity is
challenged, particularly if you don’t belong to a gym. On top of everything else, many
of us don’t yet have real goals for the year. I’m one of those people. Sure, I
plan to do some fun runs, bike rides and triathlons this year—later. There’s no
need to start training for them yet!
I Can Relate
So right now I’m still trying to restart my fitness life after getting the flu in
January. And it hasn’t been easy. I’ve just started running again, and it’s
been pretty discouraging. I feel like I’ve never run in my life. Last December I could
run a 10K (6.2 miles) in under an hour—which is not that fast for real runners, but
pretty darned good for me. Now it takes me almost an hour to run 3 miles. Why even bother
trying to stay fit when you lose it that fast?
It’s a funny thing. I’ve been in and out of shape so many times now. I know how
these things work. You lose it fast, you get it back fast. But still, whenever I remember
how I felt when I was running last year, compared with now, I get a pang of “I’ll
never be in that good shape again.” I guess it means I’m a glass-half-empty, not
half-full type. I’m trying not to let my pessimism get the better of me. But it’s
an uphill struggle. And for whatever reason—work stress, or lack of daylight, or who
knows what—I seem to be in a phase where I need a lot of comfort and family time.
I’m just not willing to spend my one free hour a day at the gym instead of at
home.
Problem-Solving 101
So here’s my latest solution: on the days that I don’t or can’t run, I bring
my bike indoors and set it up on the stationary trainer. This nifty little device lets you
turn your road or mountain bike into a stationary bike. There are several versions of
trainers, with appropriate variations in price, but my $200 Blackburn model is an
idiot-proof number that sets up easily, holds the bike stable, and folds up small when not
in use. Stick that in front of the TV, and presto—TV without guilt! Now at last I can
watch The Simpsons and Third Rock from the Sun without feeling like I should
be doing something else. I am doing something else! And the jokes seem funnier when
I’m on the bike (probably due to oxygen deprivation). Plus I get to hang out with my
husband. True, he’s on the sofa, not on a trainer next to mine, but at least
we’re spending quality time in the same room.
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