Ever since
Guinevere posted about her fitness program, I have had an urge to get back to the gym. I am quite active physically but admit to missing the gym routine. However, I also know that getting motivated to drive the 30 minutes to the gym, working out, and getting showered is going to take a lot of time out of an already busy day. I am all about flexibility in my schedule now, so I opted for the same program that
G. wrote about. It is something that I can do at home. This may be something that C. and I can do together, or it may just be me working up a sweat. The package came in today so it will be fun to give it a go starting on Monday.
Even in the midst of all my stuff around alcoholism, I did take care of myself physically. I would routinely either ride 25 miles at lunch, run five miles or go to the gym for pilates, spinning, kickboxing or aerobics at least 5 days a week. It was one of the best things that I found to stop me from obsessing for at least a while on my unhappiness. Strangely enough, about the time that I started going to Al-Anon, I stopped going to the gym. To be honest, the gym closed down, but I didn't opt to get a membership at another. I simply stopped going. I stopped running but continued to row and sail.
Something about my focus changed when I began recovery. I knew that when I started Al-Anon, I was totally focused on getting better. I went to a lot of meetings. I got powered up in a spiritual and emotional way. I was working, meeting with sponsees, being a group representative, and having some free time for being on the boat. I don't think that I had much time for anything else. Now, I am ready to get back to the routine of physically pushing myself. I like the challenge and know it is important for me to take care of my physical being, just as I have with my emotional and spiritual health.
There are several bloggers who I read that have regular, scheduled exercise as part of their self care. I have been inspired by Dave, Lou, Mary Christine, Irish Friend of Bill, Cat, and Guinevere. Now, I am making this one of my daily goals as well. I'll keep you posted on how all this powering up is going.
I try to do exercize, but with the seizures I have to warch it.I know that I need to exercize since my blood sugar is not doing so well.
ReplyDeleteIs there an Al Anon big book? The Alcoholics Anonymous one is really good. I don't get how people can say having a drink made them suddenly feel alive. Or how they have one and cannot stop. I only drink alcohol because it's cheap!! But every time I try and go below 2 cans I just can't do it. So I'm stuck on one litre of cyder per day. Boring, isn't it...
ReplyDeleteI've heard good things about PX90. A friend of mine does a version that includes yoga .
ReplyDeleteI find I have to leave the house for exercise. If I'm at home I get distracted by thinking I should vacuum that spot, do those dishes, start that laundry, etc.
I've found that going to the gym 3 times a week is one of the best things I can do for myself to keep a mental and physical balance. The focus on keeping myself fit helps enormously in dealing with the physical and mental affects of the frustration/confusion/exhaustion of living with alcoholism. Sometimes, nothing helps but going to a meeting or a few but there are times when the next best thing to do is exercise; work it out, let it go....
ReplyDeleteI just keep on swimming.
ReplyDeleteI could use a little inspiration. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteExercise is a must for hubby to remain stable. I appreciate that he knows that and takes care of himself.
ReplyDeleteI go to the gym 5 days a week at lunch. I work at a college. But, I'm overweight and trying to slim down. sigh... hard to do.
ReplyDeleteMy decision at this time is to walk. This is a huge step up for me as I am mostly a sedate person. Little things, like opting to take he stairs instead of the elevator, or parking farther from the front door also encourages me to exercise more. I live in a mountainous community so every where I go is up hill, both ways. Plus, I take my camera and find some fascinating pictures from my "on the street" perspective. Who knows what I'll run into when I'm on foot. Every day I stay in recovery I find more encouraging ways to get well.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, buddy. I hate exercise. That's why I'm a fat ass.
ReplyDeleteThanks for asking that question on my blog. :) My post was intended to share my own experience about exercise. For me it's so important in so many ways. My body was built to move. I'm unhappy when I'm sedate. And this is a program that works--for me. ... Other people will walk, swim, cycle, do yoga, garden. Some people need AA or Al-Anon, NA, or OA; other people get sober/clean/abstinent in other ways. For me it's been important to figure out what works, and do that.
ReplyDeleteMy friend, is that a picture of you meditating?
I am much older than a lot of your viewers but I still have a daily exercise regimen. I do the warm up exercises for Tai Chi (it covers from head to toe). Takes only about 10 minutes and really sets me up for the day. Also 3 times a day I do the Treadmill and take one complete circle on the track...about 7 minutes each time.
ReplyDelete(Anything more than that and I know I wouldn't stick to it !!)
My sister is a hard core triathlete so I hear all the time how exercise grows new brain cells...thanks for the "power up" encouragement...I needed it this week as I wallowed to much in the abusive memories of my past....I am going to get those endorphins goin this week...here's to new brain cells & strong bodies!!!
ReplyDeleteI let slide my gym and weights when I was studying and have gained a stone which will take time to lose. i would love to lose it before mid july. we shall see. Weights were by far the best for me, but at the moment I cycle which isnt very calore burning but is better than nothing. really I need to get back to my weights. I would !!! LOVe to emulate ernestine shepherd who I think looks completely awesome. Because I don't run as much as her (10 miles a day) i need to eat very little compared to todays ridiculously huge portions of food to lose weight. The food industry seems to conspire against us to make us gain weight. Most processed food is poison im my opinion, but I can still crave ir if I do not cut it out completely.
ReplyDeleteWell good luck with that Syd. Looking at the way my dads body has deteriorated with age I can see the importance of maintaining regular exercise at all costs. It has to become a part of daily life. Annoying but true. I am struggling a bit to get back into a routine with it, but I want to try to get back to my old self by July if poss..
Thanks for your kind thoughts towards my dad. I showed him your comment and told him you were a retired marine biologist living by the sea and he seemed to like that as he is an academic and appreciates fellow academics :) He really loves the outpouring of kindness and concern and is a different man than he was before so the healing power of prayer really does work. He has asked for counseling in the hospice today which is amazing and completely appreciates the energy I can bring to his environment. its as if the veil between this world and the next is thinned so for the first time in his life he is beginning to see the world the way we come to feel it in recovery. we get it through a 'spiritual awakening' but they get a glimpse to when the veil gets thinner. So a wonderful process to be part of, and a great privilege :) Nice to read you today Syd..
I walk 6 miles, about 5 days a week. I make it part of my commute. Instead of taking the bus, (which would take a half hour), I walk for an hour and cover the same distance.(Same going home.) I'm also a lot less stressed out than I would be if I waited for the bus. I used the same method to get to a meeting yesterday. I feel pretty good, right now.
ReplyDeleteThere is a very good reading from our Emotions
ReplyDeleteAnonymous book for today, May 27th, which speaks exactly to how our emotional health is also effected by how we take care of our bodies. Nice coincidence, catching up on your blog today, Syd.
Thanks for this! I needed a reminder to get started again...
ReplyDelete