This morning, I was walking to work doing my daily "I hate this challenge, I hate this challenge, I hate this challenge," affirmations, when I realized that I was being a little unfair. I do not hate this challenge per se. In fact, there are certain aspects of it (like reading on the Metro) which are quite nice.
So my anger is probably a little displaced. I don't hate monthly challenges. Or public transit. Or saving money on gasoline. Or the Earth. Or Al Gore. In fact, I think I just hate exercise.
I know, I know, exercise is so goooooooood for me. I should be HAPPY that you know, my heart is probably doing better, and like, my legs are getting stronger, and that walking two miles no longer makes me want to die.
Yeah, well you know what? All that might be true, but there is no denying that exercise SUCKS. It is tiring, and painful and ohmygod I haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate it so much! Why can't I just drive my stupid car like everyone else and then come home and sit on the couch and eat bonbons? And then I have to wake up EARLY so I can WALK some more, and I LOVE SLEEP. I LOVE SLEEP MORE THAN ALMOST ANYTHING ELSE.
So I hope you're happy, stupid Earth. Just for you, I am walking when I could be sleeping. JUST FOR YOU. Don't let anyone tell you that I am getting ANY BENEFIT WHATSOEVER OUT OF THIS. Cuz I am totally totally not! You hear me, Earth!?! Hello?!!
2 years ago
17 comments:
arduous, I don't know how long you've been doing the walking, but if it's only been a few weeks, you'll find it easier after about the sixth week. That's when the training effect really kicks in. If it's already been longer than that, I don't know what to tell you....
It's been 2.5 weeks. And yeah, it's already getting easier. I'm just very lazy. :)
I assume you've got an iPod and noice-cancelling headphones? From before you started the no-shopping challenge? If not, get it. Makes all the difference....well, some difference.
I do have an iPod. The headphones are just those ear buds that come with the iPod. Not the best, but they'll have to do. The iPod is three years old though so I am really praying it lasts until August....
Maybe listening to books while you walk would make it better.
You live in L.-freakin'-A. Enjoy your sunshine and warm weather, girl. If not for yourself, do it for me. I miss the sun. Very, very much.
Aw man, ScienceMama, now I feel all guilty. You're right. You're right. I should be enjoying the perfect weather instead of whining....
It does take time to get into the rhythm but I agree if you do it for a while (we're talking several wks-mos) you'll come to appreciate the time you have to think and walk. I know when it's rainy or I have a meeting and have to drive to school I miss the walk. I listen to music and laugh at all the cars stuck in traffic or in the drive thru line at the McDonald's I pass. It's amazing what you notice when you walk instead of speed past. I feel the whining though. It's hard to make a change that you know you need to do but isn't easy. Just the fact that you're even trying this speaks volumes though, and even though you will drive again at some point who knows maybe you'll say "hey I think I'll take the metro today" once the challenge is over. Until then whine all you want. It's better to get it out than just seethe and it helps others know that while it's not easy change you are sticking with it and persevering.
I feel your, uh, pain. But I am so proud of you for sticking with it even though you dislike it so. It's a good thing, and as others have said, the more you do it the less distasteful it will become. Hang in there!
boo hoo :)
are you wearing your second hand black leather apparel? if not, that should boost your spirits.
seriously though, i think we all have to have days like that where we hate everything and where living green seems really hard. most days are not like that but sometimes it is frustrating to look at the rest of the oblivious world - but we'd never really be happy that way.
I've been inspired by you! I laid in bed the other night at three a.m. trying to figure out how the hell I could possibly take transit to work. I don't see it as possible with two children, preschool and work. So I really envy your ability to it.
I was trying to figure out if I could do a foot scooter and tow two children!
Aw, Shannon, that's so nice to hear. I officially am de-crankified. :)
For the extra walking you do daily, please reward yourself with a freshly baked brownie or a slice of strawberry tart or a butter croissant. Put up a tip jar, I will drop my change in there everyday :) Then both mother Earth and you get rewarded
Wow. You reallly are arduous, aren't you? ;-)
Hang in there. It takes about a month to get used to a new habit. You'll be a marathon walker in no time!
This pretty much made my day. I do this every morning when I have to make the split between going to the parking lot to drive my car to the metro or work and walking to the metro station. It helps now that the sun is shining in the morning--and I even like walking (sometimes)!
We all need to whine a little now and then. I found myself whining yesterday because the market next to my son's school didn't have organic bananas which meant I would have to walk to the market a block from my house. Me,"Why can't everything be in the same market or why can't I just not care about the organic crap." Fortunately the slightly less annoying Me reminds the more annoying Me that I should shut up and appreciate the fact that I CAN walk to get whatever food I choose.
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