A Writer's Workout

Since staying home to write, I find myself sitting at my desk a lot longer during the day than I did when I was out in the workforce. Doing outside sales and marketing, I was quite active during the day. Now, the discipline required to stay focused on writing everyday, and making sure I keep my butt in my chair until I hit at least 4 or 5k words, has provided an excuse for not being as active as I once was.

So, I developed a Writer's Workout that I'd thought I'd share in case anyone else was also feeling guilty about their writing schedules lol:)

I start writing at 7:45 each morning once the house has cleared out. When I reach 1k words I take ten to fifteen minutes to do the following:

Two minutes of each of these exercises in this order:

Pushups
 
Squats



Jumping Jacks


Ski Jumps
 
Plank
 
Pilates 100
 
Then I return to writing. Once I reach the 3k mark, I do it all again...And then again at the 4-5k mark or end of my writing day. Without really feeling as though I took a lot of time away from my writing, I've just accomplished a 30-45 minute workout everyday.

I usually try to run on my 'lunchbreak' as well, if there's time or especially if I've hit a wall in my manuscript and I need to step away and clear my mind for a bit. The physical exercise is great for this. But on the days that I don't get a run in, at least I've done this routine.

:)
xo
Jen

Comments

  1. Jennifer, you are amazing. I'd be dead at the end of your workout. I get up and out to walk 6 mornings a week. That's the extent of my exercise. But with all you do I'm sure your body won't give out as early as mine did. Keep it up.

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    2. Thanks Roz! Getting out for morning walks is something else I'd love to add. The crisp morning air here in Edmonton lately is really drawing me outside more. I think soon it will be time to take writing outside:)

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  2. It would take me 20 minutes to get back in the zone if I did that. Whatever works is what you should do, just like in the writing process!

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    1. lol, it can sometimes be a challenge to get back into the flow...I try not to stop if the writing is flowing until I hit a natural break:)

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  3. Wow you must be so fit. I don't think I could possibly do all that. We'll done

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    1. Thanks! With a three year old, I had to develop a quick and easy routine I could squeeze in during the day:)

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  4. Jen - what a workable idea - except for the Spanish-Inquisition nature of those exercises! I don't really have a zone, so I run up and downstairs doing laundry, getting Ron what he needs, answering the door (we have a chummy neighborhood.) I think I've done this so long under sometimes adverse conditions that I sit down at the computer and the little people in my brain think - 'Okay, give her SOMETHING, or she's going to start pulling our hair!' I imagine your workout feeds your creativity - good for you!

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    1. Thanks Muriel! I refuse to do housework or even answer the door while I'm writing lol:) I'm a terrible neighbor lol. I told my husband to think of me staying home to write as though I wasn't even here and not to expect little side projects like cleaning or cooking to happen between 8 and 5 lol. I'm a terrible wife too;)

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  5. Obviously good advice. And I admire your determination to follow this regime. I manage to get to the gym three times a week, but that's about it. Better something than nothing I figure.
    Cynthia

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    1. Three times a week is great! I'd love to get a trainer at the gym to kick my butt into better shape, but that would take too much time out of my writing schedule...of course if I could somehow turn it into research...hmmm

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  6. Love it! After long hours seated before the computer, it's important to get some physical exercise. I do many of the things you've listed when I go to the gym in the early morning. When I get to a spot in my writing when I've reached a wall, I usually go for a bike ride. The fresh air and movement helps my brain function better and I get lots of ideas. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I wish I could go to the gym in the mornings-but getting out of bed is possibly the worst feeling in the world to me lol. Once I'm up, I'm okay, but actually getting up at six is hard! When I was pregnant on my son, I used to workout in the morning because I had to do it before the all day every day sickness started, but since then, I just can't seem to get up early enough.

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  7. I am soooo envious. I'm using sitting down to write my 1K at 10 p.m. after I've put my son to bed, loaded the dihswasher, done a load of clothes, and grabbed a soda. After my 1K, I fall into bed. Sometimes, I'm already asleep while I'm falling.

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    1. Are you playing the lottery at least $1 a week? Someone has to win. Meanwhile, you're everyone's heroine.

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    2. LOL I think Pam and I have the same life!

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  8. Great exercises, Jen! It didn't take long, after writing, to discover that I needed to stretch and keep my wrists/arms in shape too. I had to wear wrist braces for awhile from pain...

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