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
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
Jumping Jacks
Ski Jumps
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
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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DeleteThanks 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:)
DeleteIt 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!
ReplyDeletelol, 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:)
DeleteWow you must be so fit. I don't think I could possibly do all that. We'll done
ReplyDeleteThanks! With a three year old, I had to develop a quick and easy routine I could squeeze in during the day:)
DeleteJen - 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!
ReplyDeleteThanks 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;)
DeleteObviously 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.
ReplyDeleteCynthia
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
DeleteLove 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!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteAre you playing the lottery at least $1 a week? Someone has to win. Meanwhile, you're everyone's heroine.
DeleteLOL I think Pam and I have the same life!
DeleteGreat 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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