Thursday, April 7, 2011

F is for Fitness!! (and no more French Fries...) :(

Happy Thursday!!  So, the company I work for just rolled out a massive Fit Challenge to all employees. I guess they don’t want us to die on the job, or something like that… well, ok. That’s good. Thank you Company X for looking out for me! :D

We’re on teams of 3-5 and can I just say…I find it a little daunting that I’ll have to carry the weight loss on my team. I’m stuck working on it with a bunch of skinny minis co-workers who will lose weight on the scale only if they strip naked! What’s a pair of slacks and a shirt – like 2 lbs? And that trick will only work for week 1 (it’s progressive) so…basically, I’m it. Which means no more French fries… *waves goodbye to an old friend* No more baked goods… *feels tears forming* No more pasta… *looks around for a Kleenex* Ok, I better quit. I don’t like to weep in public!


*whimpers*  Yes, I'm whimpering...

But, I’m in. Really! I hear exercising helps with blood flow, which helps your brain. And as that’s where most of my ideas come from, as a writer, it’s essential to have a good working brain. So, I thought I’d give you two quick lists of fitness tips. The 1st for everyone and the 2nd especially for writers:

Fitness for Everyone:
1 – Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day – so EAT UP in the A.M.! *make sure you work a good protein in...

2 – Cardio is the only thing that will work for actual fat loss – dance, run, walk, hike – just get moving EVERY day

3 – But, strength training is essential, too. Alternate days – give your muscles a rest...

4 – Chewing copious amounts of gum does wonders for a would-be double chin...

5 – If fish/chicken and fruits/veggies aren’t really your thang? Count calories on the foods you do like. You can still eat it, just eat less of it. (But, try to work an apple, some spinach, or a little salmon in when you can..)

Fitness for Writers:
1 – Ok, guess I have to add cardio here as I mentioned the whole brain-flow thing above…

2 – The Hand-Splay: to do this, put your hands in front of you and stretch out those fingers as far as you can, hold, count to ten, relax. We need those hands and fingers in good typing form, right?

3 – Eat copious amounts of your favorite guilty-pleasure goody. You just can’t write if you’re cranky.  (the fitness for everyone plan might call this "cheating"...I call it "the occasional reward for being good!")

4 – Do a cross-word puzzle, brain teaser, a few math equations, SOMETHING to work the other side of your brain for a minute. The creative side needs a breather.

5 – Can you say “READ-A-THON”!

Now, go forth and BE FIT!

15 comments:

Bish Denham said...

I do water aerobics 4 days a week and strength training for 2. LOVE the water, but pulling weights is like as close to boring as I care to get!

KM Nalle said...

I'm still laughing at this wonderful post (and I want those fries). I can get behind eating copious amounts of my favorite guilty-pleasure goody as a reward. I got up this morning, I should get a reward for that right? Let's see, then I showered - another reward...

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

I love to walk and talk about my work while I do it. I can do that now because I wear a Bluetooth and people think I'm on the phone.


MaryV

Michael Di Gesu said...

Very funny, Donea...

I loved this. Now I don't feel alone in my quest to lose my writing/winter weight. That's right... writing killed my waistline.

WRITER'S GET OFF YOU BUTTS! You can easily go over your plots, characters, and twists on a treadmill. Then go home and write them down. Take it from me. It's a lot easier to maintain than lose. Don't fall into the pit I fell it to ... it's a bitoch clawing your way out.

Donea you have some great suggestions here and good luck. Judging by your pic, you don't have much to loose.

Unknown said...

How I hate diets that never work for me, but I've re-joined the gym, so have high hopes of succeeding this time! :0)

Cherie Reich said...

Great tips. I never thought of gum chewing as a fitness tip.

Caitlyn (Cait) said...

GO SIS! You can do this :) You are Awesome! Love you!

Beth said...

Great tips. Thanks for sharing -- and good luck!

Hope said...

not only informative but encouraging!

thank you
nice to meet you through A-Z!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Ha! I had a similar post today. Great tips!

Joanne said...

French fries are so hard to pass up. I am in the same boat. Thanks for all the great tips. Godd luck! Blessings, Joanne

ali cross said...

Mmm. Those fries look so yummy. Good luck to you Donea! You can do it!

Talli Roland said...

French fries, french fries! Ahem.

Good luck with the challenge!

Samantha Sotto said...

LOL! Great tips! Good luck! :D

kjmckendry said...

Love your post! I think I just gained 5 lbs. looking at that picture!