Sofa So Good
I’ve hung around me 24/7 for, what seems like, forever.
In all of that time, I haven’t noticed me complaining so much as I have since I started knowingly trying to get healthier.
Right now I’m looking back with mixed emotions over those days, months, years I spent on my beloved couch. And not just mine. I’ve spent quality time on other people’s couches, too. I’m not partial. Wherever I would fit – if it was facing a T.V. – is where I was most comfortable. Just wallowing the time away.
Note: I said “was” as if it is past tense. That is incorrect. Wherever I fit – if it is facing a T.V. – is where I am still most comfortable today. I feel close enough to you now. I think you deserve full disclosure. There are no lies between us.
Then computers came into my life. I discovered them when I saw their ads on T.V. While enjoying a snack on a couch.
I had to have one.
I didn’t know how consuming the electronic world would be. But once I dove in, I slowly started to drown in its suffocating and mesmerizing waves.
While I feel privileged to have been around to witness some of the invention and/or growth of many spectacular devices, I think it has taken its toll on my health. As it has for many. I was so rushed to move from one electronic device at work to another electronic device at home I simply did not have time for slow food. And forget about walking or riding a bike. That simply would not get me from system A to system B quickly enough.
I must have been dwindling away back then. Probably almost starving to death until, suddenly and thankfully, there was food that was deemed “fast“. And it was EVERYWHERE! I no longer had to miss a moment on my T.V. or computer because I was busy *sigh* cooking. All that shopping and chopping and steaming and boiling. Who needs that, anyway?
Now, some years later, the technology keeps on coming and I’ve come to terms with the fact that I need to pry myself away from the blinding screens and sodium-filled meals.
And so I stand. Stiff muscles arguing every step of the way. Insisting we were perfectly fine right where we were. Pointing towards the indented cushions from which we arose only moments eariler.
Before beginning this journey, I never thought I’d run into the obstacles that have since wandered into my path. Quietly. As if to sneak in front of me, lest I see them in time to avoid them entirely.
It seems whenever the coaches of the RFW class ask how I’m doing, (they ask everyone as part of their ‘talk test‘), I no longer lie and say, “I’m cool.”
Instead, I begin listing off the most recent ailments I’ve amassed since the last time they inquired. Sometimes I wonder if, by the time I complete my inventory, they sincerely regret asking. Willing to allow me to fail the talk test and complete the ‘keep-it-to-yourself test.’ Which I would easily pass. But I feel like they deserve some explanation as to why I’m constantly grimacing and cursing over my breath while bringing up the back of the pack on a fairly consistent basis.
Over the weekend I had a difficult time putting in my ‘honor run.’ I was quite content catching up on my stories from the comfort of my favorite recliner as I watched the sun shine all day and fade away into the evening. It seemed the day was quickly dwindling into night and then I would have to get my sleep and surely would not be able to get in my run. That would’ve been bad. Who could sleep with all of that guilt, after all?
Before I knew it, it was too dark to be intervalling outside. I dreaded having to get up out of my comfortable cushions just to get all dolled up so I could step out and greet my public on the way to, from and at the gym. So, I decided to remain dolled down and complete the week on my treadmill in the very next room.
Oddly, I still did not look forward to it. Then I remembered something the RFW coaches shared with us. It was meant to help us get up and out there even if we may not have felt up to it. It is something called the ’Ten Minute Rule.’
Want to hear it? Here it goes:
If you’re having trouble getting motivated to go for your runs, use the ‘Ten Minute Rule.’ Make this deal with yourself: You’ll go out for ten minutes. If after ten minutes of following your run/walk prescription you feel like stopping, then give yourself permission to turn around and go back home. Chances are, after ten minutes, you’ll be warmed up, feeling better, and raring to go! After all, you’ve probably invested more than ten minutes just getting all your gear on!
A variation of this “Ten Minute Rule” can also be found on eRunningGuide.com, along with a few other helpful tidbits.
With the T.M.R. in mind, I gathered my water and my music and stepped into the next room and onto the lonely treadmill. Once the music began blaring and I got into the intervals, I forgot all about the ten minutes I was going to give it and focused, instead, on completing the week’s prescription.
I did so and felt as if I’d actually accomplished something for the day. I mean, sure, I didn’t end up cleaning out the TiVo queue, but that’s okay. Chances are it will all still be there next weekend. In fact, I may not even feel like watching my stories next weekend. If that’s the case, to be fair and for workout/T.V. life balance, I’ll have to give TiVo the T.M.R.
We’ll see how that goes…