Lazy Bum

Everyone who knows me or reads my blog knows that I am a die-hard walker. I like nothing better than putting on Lucy’s leash and off we go listening to a podcast, playlist or audio book. I pride myself on walking five days a week. To strangers who live around me, I am the crazy lady in the blue puffer coat who keeps the leash up at my shoulder so I can use both my arms. I try to be friendly, even to the random car who honks at me for crossing the busy street instead of allowing them to turn right before me. But as we have aged, Lucy no longer leads me. I am practically pulling her. By the end of our walk, which has decreased from three to four miles down to one, she is wiped out and sleeps the rest of the afternoon. 

One day, after a practically stagnant walk, I came inside and did a mini workout on our treadmill. I learned from the trainer that our bodies grow accustomed to the same workouts. Our muscles are formed for that task and work to maintain that exertion every time. There is no need to change or grow. Just as Lucy and I have grown to love the predictability of our walks, I guess I didn’t clue in that my body did too and I was no longer getting the benefits of a workout. Sure, I am getting in the steps and that’s good, but let’s just say, my heart rate was probably only going up a couple of beats per minute!

So after that little epiphany, I am now trying to do bootcamps or runs after my walks. I haven’t run in so many years — I’ve claimed bad knees – but honestly it’s just me being a lazy bum. It’s hard. I mentally fight those runs every single time. Sometimes my bad attitude wins, and I get off the tread defeated. Other times, I keep going, even feeling powerful and strong as I finish the workout. There are even mornings when I wake up sore and tired from the previous day’s exercise. This is just part of the process but at least I’m doing something different. I think that’s kind of how life is — we can get stuck going through the motions. We may even enjoy the predictability of it. But we aren’t growing or changing. Our bodies and minds have adapted to that behavior and that’s it. It feels risky to change and I am the first one to tell you that your mind may fight you on it. Soon, though, your mind and your body will start to enjoy the newness. As we age, it sure gets easy to stop adapting. We sure do like our habits.  But as I’ve told you before, you gotta get your thinking straight. Go do something different! Your lazy bum will thank you!

Oh By the Way, here are a few things I’m using to adapt to my new workouts! Maybe you can benefit from them too as you make a little tweak to your routine!