Appointments For Adventure 5: Shake It Off
I’ve been going to the gym since I was a teenager,and have also played netball, squash, softball, competed in triathlons and fun runs and regularly go for bush walks. Over the years, fitness hasn’t been an issue for me, it’s just that my body doesn’t reflect the amount of exercise I do.
I’m fond of saying, ‘Under this winter coat, I have great muscles!’
In my Beautiful books, I’ve written about the journey of body image and coming to terms with my unique body make-up. Even though I accept myself, it’s still an every day battle to keep my body under control.
A personal trainer told me years ago to make appointments with myself for exercise. He said, ‘Women tend to put exercise at the end of a daily priority list, but when they do, exercise often gets pushed off the list until another day.’
That thought has stayed with me for years, so when I schedule my week, exercise is one of the priorities.
As a writer, my life can be quite sedentary. Sitting for four or five hours at a time, like I’m doing today, is normal.
My latest trainer has encouraged me to set a timer to get up every half an hour or so to remind me to walk around and get the blood flowing.
I need to shake off the lethargy that comes from being intellectually engaged in writing all day and do something active every day. Last night it was Spin class, tonight it’s a weights/cardio class and tomorrow it’s weights and stretching. The week rolls out with these appointments which are some of the most important in my life.
If I’m to be in this life for the long haul, go on adventures around the world and enjoy what opportunities that come my way, I need to be fit, healthy and strong.
So, today I’m going to shake it off like Taylor Swift and get my booty moving.
#365adventure is a book lover’s year of adventures. Adventures in travel, friendship, family, soul, heart and, of course, book stores!
