I’ve fallen off of so many wagons in the past year, I’d like to say I’ve lost track. The trouble is that it’s the same few wagons. Today’s Quarantime Hazard: losing motivation for exercise.
The time since the first shutdowns for the pandemic – nearly a year now – is what I call “quarantime” – the time of hunkering down at home while COVID-19 was spreading across the world. Though the early days of the pandemic were much more restrictive than they are now, here in Southern California, this extended stretch of underemployment and reduced obligation has put my brain into a lengthy summer vacation mode. It’s the summer vacation of my youth, when I had no responsibilities and could spend time doing whatever I wanted to do, as long as I didn’t ask my parents for money or to drive me anywhere. It was a time when I read voraciously, lived within stories of my own invention, did one or two large projects (like painting my room or refinishing furniture). While the shut down was a welcome break from responsibility at first (a feeling that took some effort to accept), a year later, I find its continuation has some pitfalls. Like a groggy teenager, I have trouble remembering to get up and move around.
I’m impressed by many of my Facebook friends who have continued or even increased their exercise routines during quarantime. I wanted to be like them. I wanted to drop 20 pounds, increase my flexibility, and soothe my mind with yoga. I didn’t do any of that. Several skilled friends invited me to the online workout sessions they taught, but I never tuned in. I tried a few online classes offered by 24hr Fitness when they shut their doors. It wasn’t fun to dodge the piles of stuff and furniture in my room, though, and I was perpetually frustrated that whatever screen I used, I couldn’t see the instructor well enough to understand what I was supposed to be doing. I stopped. One day over the summer, I went to the gym with my son, when the gym was open …just the once before it closed again. I get to Pilates class either once or four times a month. And then, the last couple of weeks…nothing. I scheduled a Pilates class and then had to cancel it to drive one of my kids somewhere. Motivation…*wind chimes*…gone.
Walking. I can do that. Back when I was training for marathon-length charity walks, I knew I had to get up and just DO IT or I would suffer more in the end. I feel better when I get some exercise in, other than some soreness and my occasionally cranky left hip. I feel productive all day when I can get a walk or workout in the morning. I set my alarm. I put my good socks in my shoes so I won’t have to dig for them. With new insoles, wireless earphones, and my Fitbit, I’m all set. So why can’t I get out the door?
Podcasts and music usually keep my mind busy when I’m walking. The true stories from The Moth make me laugh, and cry, and get angry. They also inspire me to write down some of my true stories to tell someday. I often listen to TED talks as well. Recently, I downloaded the audiobook of Dolly Parton’s terrific biography, Songteller, and am enjoying listening to Dolly tell stories and sing songs that keep me moving. She just finished describing how she felt listening to Whitney Houston cover “I Will Always Love You,” and the story behind the song she wrote was a big moment in her career. I want to get back to those stories. My “walking” playlist is full of bouncy 80’s music and musicals. It’s fun and freeing to sing them as I walk near the river by my house. There are rumored to be two bald eagles who live nearby, and the view of the San Gabriel Mountains can be spectacular. One of the last days I went out was just after a big snowstorm, and the mountains were clear and crisp and covered in white.
Today, I got out the door for a terrific walk at a Regional Park with my good friend, M’lis. Forest bathing, walking near water, and avoiding gobs of goose poop, we slowly covered 2 miles with a pause to sit in the Redwood grove. Two months ago, I was walking four times a week, no less than a mile each walk, with time to complete a personal 5k every Thursday. Then a month ago, I was pressed for time, so it got down to a quick mile around the neighborhood a couple of days a week. Then…nothing. I’m thankful M’lis said yes to a walk instead of a coffee. I had to just DO IT.
It’s time to reset this goal and try again. Time to book those Pilates classes (and attend them). Time to block out time on the calendar for walks. But before I get carried away with too much planning and not enough action, let me share one more insight…
On a recent one-mile-round-the-neighborhood effort, I listened to a TED talk that really hit home. Christine Carter described an experience very similar to mine: losing motivation after having great plans. I’m working on taking her advice to commit to doing something that is just a little bit better than doing nothing each day. To those of you who are stymied by big goals or so overwhelmed by all of the possibility around us, take a listen. Especially in the Quarantime, it’s enough to accomplish one small goal at a time.