it's not always about writing

Nine months of sitting in lectures, studying, watching films and writing = less time being active.

Today, I returned to the gym. It’s aggravating to realise how much fitness I’ve lost. For the next couple of weeks I’m going to be sore and tired after every session.

When you have a sedentary job it’s easy to become lazy, out of shape, and doughy. I’ve been in this situation before so I know that if I don’t do something about it now that it will only get worse. The hard part is finding the motivation when I know that the first few weeks are going to be tough, and scheduling time for the gym. The pay-off is feeling fantastic when I’m working out, an increased level of fitness, and a better self-image.

Much of what I do on a daily basis involves being focused on thinking, imagining, and communication. This means I’m very mind-focused. The importance of fitness and a physical regime often gets sidelined. Perhaps it’s because taking care of my physical well-being is an entirely selfish act–I am focused solely on my body. It’s easy to ignore my-self when other priorities appear more urgent. Yet, as I know from past experience, exercising the body is as important as exercising the mind.

I use the time at the gym to shift focus to my body and allow my mind to roam free. It’s a good place to allow my imagination rove over ideas for stories and characters. I don’t switch on the TV monitors when I’m on a bike or a treadmill, for instance. I don’t want to pretend I’m not in the gym. I enjoy the physicality of exercising. I like the satisfaction of being covered in sweat from a hard workout–which increases the pleasure from a soak in the jacuzzi or a broil in the sauna before a final hot shower.

Before too long I hope to enjoy being back in the gym. Until then I’ll have to push through the hard part, and remember that rewards will follow quickly.