What do you do when your most favorite occupation in the whole world is making you disintegrate?
What do you do when your doctor says to get off the computer and MOVE?
What do you do when you are constantly called back to the second love of your life – your blog (the first being “husband” in case he’s reading this)?
What do you do when you are constantly returning to your in-box to see what others are doing on their blogs?
Dear Friends in the Blogusfear,
Have you heard this before?
My doctor says I’m doing the wrong thing for my body and my well being. He says I should be in motion for more time than I am at the computer. When I told him I can put in four to six hours a day with this marvelous hobby called blogging, he kind of smirked. “Wrong! You are doing the wrong things for your health,” says he.
“I am a blogger!” I said. “You must understand this is my hobby. And I love it.”
“What exactly does all this time at the computer really mean to you?” he asked.
So, I went home and made up a list.
WHAT BLOGGING MEANS TO ME
- Blogging = Happy time thinking and looking and reading and never ever being bored.
- Blogging = Using my new-found talent for writing; an outlet for self expression.
- Blogging = Connecting with new and fascinating friends; people I love but have never met yet.
- Bloggng = Filling my time with creative, exciting, challenges; focusing on things that matter.
- Blogging = Discovering the beautiful, fun, funny things in life.
- Blogging = Feeling connected with a bigger world than the distance between my kitchen and the laundry room.
- Blogging is MY MOST FAVORITE HOBBY IN THE WHOLE WORLD!
When I returned to my doctor with this list, he once again smirked. “Here’s what constant blogging and not moving is REALLY doing for you,” he said.
- You are heading toward diabetes. You may already be there.
- A lifetime of medications if you don’t get up and move.
- Loss of circulation from sitting too long with the potential for heart problems.
- Elevated cholesterol from lack of exercise, leading to vascular problems.
- Weight gain.
- Deteriorating health.
“Bah! Humbug! It’s Christmas Doctor! Are you going to rob me of my most favorite thing to do in the whole world just before Christmas?”
“You need to be in motion my friend, moving more than sitting at the computer,” said he. And then he offered hope. “You can beat this. You can compromise. Time yourself. Just start moving instead of sitting.”
And so here I am creating another blog post. I know – I’m sitting! But I have a kitchen timer at my desk now and it’s set for one hour. When it brashly rings it reminds me to get up and go! Move!
I am determined to follow Doctor’s Orders now. I will spend an hour in the morning reading other blogs and trying to comment on the ones I love. Then I will spend another two hours in the evening when the kitchen no longer commands attention. I will make walking my daily priority. I will wear a pedometer and aim for 10,000 steps a day.
These are my Pre-Christmas Resolutions dear Doctor, because I know you are dedicated to my own best interest. You are not advocating quitting the blog – no – only advocating sensible, practical behavior.
Blogging remains my most favorite thing to do in the whole world and I know I just have to stand up sometimes and move in other directions.
I’m following your orders Doc! And as the latest doggy commercial has the doggy saying, “I’ve been good. I’ve been good. I’ve been very very good.”
BAH HUMBUG!
Wearing a pedometer is a great motivator. I hope you can find a nice balance of moving and blogging….both are good for you, it seems!
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You can always blog standing up!
I’m in the same boat: My pleasure and my work are both at the computer, and my hip is not really grooving with the 10,000 steps thing so far. The most I have chalked up since I got it is about 6000. Argh.
The timer is a good idea; otherwise, time just gets away. May we both do better in th New Year and find balance. Just don’t leave me!!! 🙂
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I have the same problems with balancing time in front of the computer with being more active, especially since I work all day in front of a computer. That’s part of why I like to take my photo walks and have a garden – it gets me out of the house and away from my computer.
I think your plan is a great start and you’ll tweak it as you do it. It’s much better to start a good idea and adjust than to just not do it at all. Keep us posted!
Nancy
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You are definitely moving! You go to the loo, you go get a cookie, you get up and pet your dog., you answer the phone. It’s the same as reading a good book except your hands are moving and your brain is engaged and learning all the time. Maybe just get up and walk around the house for a couple of minutes every hour or so. The cognitive and emotional benefit from blogging far outweigh any concerns, especially if you take short breaks and walk a bit. So, no I don’t agree with your MD.
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I sympathize and understand your situation. As with most things in life, the trick is finding a suitable compromise, isn’t it!? I haven’t blogged for almost three weeks now, and while I miss it, I sure have got a lot of other things done. Not sure where a suitable balance is yet, though. I’m sure you’ll find what works best for you.
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You could find another doctor. Maybe one who blogs????? Getting up and walking is good as long as it doesn’t interfere with real blogging! Now I have to go to the gym!
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Oh my Christmas candy canes, I hear you on this one. Loving the blogging lifestyle does tend to make us…well..rather sedentary, doesn’t it? I love my hobby for all the reasons you do but sitting at my computer too long I think contributed significantly to my hip problems last year. So move, we shall, my friend. In the words of King Julian (from the animated film Madagascar), “I like to move it, move it!” Watch this video and you’ll have to get up and move it! 🙂 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzSdPxlGGZc
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Well, we want you to be healthy! It sounds as if you have found a compromise – we don’t want to lose you as a blogger. I tend to blog/read in spurts up and down but Husband can sit for hours in front of his computer without getting up. He is trying to change that as it is not good for him either. Don’t let the Grinch steal your holidays! Take care and keep moving – it will give you something else to blog about!
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Darn doctors!! They just don’t understand us! I totally agree with everything that you said about blogging – it has become such an incredibly important part of my life, and now I wonder how I ever got by without friends like you ❤. I’m even worse than you. I sit at a desk all day working on a computer and then I go home at night and do the same thing while sitting in a comfy couch. I know I need to get off my butt more too, so you start the good example and I will try to follow!! Remember you can go for walks with your camera and then you will have material for your blogs!!
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Here’s what I try to do: I write my blog the night before, but “tweak” it in the morning, first thing when I get up (well, almost first thing). I answer a couple of e-mails and read a few blog posts. Then I go out and walk for 30 minutes. And the rest of my day is pretty busy running errands, etc. But I find that those 30 minutes in the morning really help me keep my weight under control. And I love being out that time of the morning. Doesn’t work for everyone though.
But – compromise is the key, and I think you’ll do fine. That doc will be amazed!
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I thin you are doing the right thing and I am going to take your doctors advice (no co-pay) and follow your lead. It must be good if we hate it.
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Great post! Even though the underlying topic was serious, it was a fun post to read.
I like your new resolution. Like you, I believe that balance is the key.
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The pedometer does make me more aware of where I’m going and how far away I need to park. 🙂 Thanks winsomebella. I always love hearing from you.
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LOL! How I love your comments, your blog, you! Let me count the ways. I’m also barely crossing the 6,000 mark on the pedometer and the hip is making itself known. Nice to know we are together on this Lilly. 🙂
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Nancy – working all day on a computer and then coming home to blog… that would probably do me in. You are to be admired, especially for the gardening and the camera walks.
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Oh, I love your attitude Cindy! If getting up to get a cookie constituted exercise, I wouldn’t have to wear a pedometer! And YES the cognitive and emotional benefits of blogging are what drive me back and back and back to the computer. Would you please move to my neighborhood? I think we would be fast friends!
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Why am I always surprised that my favorite bloggers have either “been there, done that” or sympathize with what I think is my unique plight? Thanks Margie! But, please don’t stay away too much longer! 🙂
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LOL! That’s my next goal…. to find a doctor who blogs! Only then will there be empathy and understanding that I prefer mind exercise over bodily movement. Then off you go to the gym and you are still able to produce wonderful blog posts! Talk about inspiration.
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I was sick all night with an intestinal bug, and I got on the scale today. One pound heavier! Life is not fair.
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Well, I shall drift off to sleep with the tune, “I like to move it, move it!” rattling through my brain. Many thanks mama. Maybe I will wake up brain washed and eerily motivated. Me too – ditto – with the hip problems. Maybe we can motivate each other to get up and go! 🙂
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I sympathize with your husband. I get so immersed in blogging and the computer that I barely make myself get up (even for a cookie). Gotta change my attitude entirely but the Grinchis not going to steal my holidays. Thanks! 🙂
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OK my turn 🙂
I LOVED THIS POST!!!!!
From one who HAD TO SIT SO LONG to now trying to shed the weight I added in doing so I commend you!
I go to WW every Tuesday to see how my plan is working 🙂 I seem to be an all or nothing type lol not surprising but I bought one of their Active Links and am finding my self with camera a dog boyfriend too a lot of the time just walking about. Do you own a laptop? I have a center island I can stand at and read my blogs and we were told in beading group about setting the timer for 15 min. When it goes off go turn the timer off on stove and wipe a counter, comb the dog, walk outside with my camera lol my deal is like yours blog with friends but on Monday nights if I have not been active and only sit hunched over a keyboard YOGA has to undo all of THAT ouch so now like you walk, play, blog, cook,eat,clean,blog,cook,eat,walk and when I have been good I slide up to the Desktop and sit down for as long as I can keep my eyes open and read all of my favorite blogs and comment as well. I know I am getting healthier mind wise because of all, like you, do to entertain us. LIFE IS GOOD be kind to your hips Yoga(gentle kind)help keep my joint fluids MOVING mine were like THICK GLUE now I know how to warm joints up and even I am feeling better little by little. You must make your HEART Strong as it feeds the rest of YOU Good luck on your GOOD ROUTINE keep up the good work this way we can be here for each other so much longer!
Again love your post IT SPOKE TO ME AS WELL
XO
Eunice
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I agree–blogging is my happy place–however, I don’t sit in front of the computer at long stretches of time like I used to. Over a year ago, after quite a long stretch, like a whole morning, I took a fall (the no circulation in my leg thing). It took over a month for my ankle to heal. And speaking of ankles–I noticed a woman at a wedding reception with high heels wearing a pedometer attached to those heels. Blogging vs health. Glamor vs. counted steps. Can we do both gracefully?
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Yep, I keep forgetting about camera-walking! Will do that next even though the landscape is pretty bleak around here now. That’s why I keep shooting for the sky. Love your “darn doctors” comment. Friends forever and let’s get up and move so we’ll last longer. 🙂 Luv, Dor
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Oh, I hope you’re right Dianna. I’m motivated. Wish I could adopt your routine but I don’t wake up early enough. Shouldn’t be sitting here now but it’s irresistable! The timer’s about ready to go off………. 🙂
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That’s saying it right – “must be good if we hate it!” And in the reverse, “must be bad if we love it” – blogging that is. Ah well. 🙂
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That’s it Sheryl. That’s it. Balance. Surely I can strike a happy one. Wonder what your grandma did to keep fit. Do you think she would have been an avid blogger too?
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How can you gain weight with an intestinal bug? Only you! One time, eons ago, I did lose weight eating no breakfast and only sherbert and fruit for lunch, then a regular dinner. It worked! I tried it again yesterday and broke down before the sherbert. Ah to be young again. Life isn’t fair and that’s for sure. 🙂
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Wow Eunice! I don’t know where you find the time to pay attention to everything and everybody and still attend to your fitness routine and all the chores at home and Yoga too. You are an inspiration and I promise after I answer peoples’ comments, I will get up and away from the computer long enough to warm my joints. I like the “thick glue” image and your pep talk about being here longer for each other. xoxo Dor
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Are you kidding Georgette? Glamor vs. counted steps gracefully? I can hardly exit a car with grace and I feel I’m on the verge of losing circulation in one leg and already coping with pain in the hip on the other side! Falling is out of the question, so your experience will now guide me – regretfully, away from the computer for longer periods – with the pedometer at my waist (not my shoes where someone might notice). I won’t quit blogging though. Love it too much. 🙂
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🙂
Today I will do my walking along the coast before snow goes and makes it UGLY lol
XO
Eunice
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Menopause has done me in. It’s a conspiracy–not left-wing or right-wing. I’m thinking possibly men!
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Keep moving we don’t want to lose you to any ailments. 🙂 You are too precious to us. I try and the operative word is try to get up every 30 mins to go to the toilet, or make a cup of tea, orfeed the dogs, or hang out the washing, or do a household chore etc. Not only is it good for your heart and muscles but when you come back to your computer you feel refreshed and have new ideas. I am a great sitter too and have to make myself do yoga and walk the dogs each day.
I love to play with my computer (sitting), read (sitting), draw (sitting) and so on.
So I feel for you.
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I did mine on a rural VA country road, clapping my hands to warn off bears! 🙂
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“This too shall pass!” 🙂
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Oh, good ideas – get up and do the chores instead of postponing them and then winding up doing everything in a big hurry. Thanks Judy! 🙂 Glad you are a “sitter” too though. 🙂
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😦 walking good being attacked or threatened while exercising is never good that’s why I stay out of the GYM!!!! lol all those ANIMALS 🙂
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Yes, we have to last a long long time to keep our followers laughing!! 🙂
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Bah humbug! Dr.’s are no fun. 😉
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Working on a computer all day is why some nights (especially during the week) I don’t post. I’d rather spend my night playing with the dogs, reading, or visiting with my husband. The gardening and camera walks are SO much more fun than the gym.
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Blahahaha! You are so funny! 🙂
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That’s for sure! Who else can do it better? 🙂
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Only when I can prove mine wrong… then he’s a hoot!
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I went on a camera walk today! You’re right. It’s more fun than the gym. 🙂
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🙂
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Hi Dor! I completely understand as I’m in a similar situation! I’m at the computer less and moving more,,,so I’m gauging when I’ll be able to write. Funny thing is I enjoy exercising so I’m glad that I had a reminder to be more active. Good for you!
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Uh oh! All I’ve been doing all morning is blogging. MUST get up and go! Congratulations on conquering the move more/sit less syndrome. You are inspiring me. 🙂
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LOL…looks like we will get moving together! Every now and then please ping me, Dor, to be sure I stand and take a break! I read this out loud to my husband and he said “Are you both up yet?!” I told him I am going for a swim in about an hour! 🙂
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O.K. – will send you little nudges to move it! You too – for me. Thanks. 🙂
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