Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Occupational Hazard

So I've been dieting and exercising for the last about 10 months. I've never been much of a physical exertion person, not a sports-playing guy or avid hiker or whatnot. I was an inside kid in a family that was largely made up of inside kids. We read a lot. I write a lot. These are generally sedentary activities. As I slouched through my thirties, it got...well, bad. And last year, I had one of those check-ups where the doctors and nurses give you stern, stern looks about your behavior. Not fun.

So I joined a gym, cleaned up my act, started eating better. All good things, right? Yep. I've lost some weight, I'm feeling fit and connected to my body. All very good. Except...well...I'm a morning writer. And mornings are my only time to get to the gym. I haven't perfected my cloning techniques yet so...I've had to choose. Be healthy. Or write more.

The scales been tipping to the Be Healthy side of late, but now that I want to get more writing done this summer...something's got to give. Why does it seem like you have to choose between being healthy and being a writer? I think, on some level, I stopped going to therapy because it was working too well. I was getting sane and that was getting in the way of the work. That can't be good.

So now I'm trying alternating: one day of gym, one day of writing. Let's see how long this lasts.

43 comments:

Art said...

Funny, I've gone through the very same thing in the past year and half.

I started really ramping up the gym time after my 40th birthday over a year ago. (6 Days a week 5:30AM before the day job.) I've lost over 40 pounds and I feel so much healthier.

However, as you mention, working out is suddenly this huge block of time that is consistently in the schedule - and taking place in during the time I usually used to write, blog, etc.

I still haven't quite got it down, yet.

joshcon80 said...

Two words: tape. worm.

Also, my captcha was "Jaholeam" and I suddenly wished that was what your J. was for.

RVCBard said...

Two words: tape. worm.

Exactly!

Anonymous said...

I'm with you on this. I've found myself getting up earlier and earlier to make time for both. Throw a child into the mix and making time for reading, writing, and running in the am gets even more insane. I've wanted to write a post for a while called 'Exercise: It's good for your heART because I've found I'm at least able to work through things I want to write about in my head while I'm working out, which can help me prepare, in a way, for later when I sit down to write. Congrats on committing to an exercise routine!

Freeman said...

I should write a post about these red yeast rice and omega-3 pills I take all the time. And the salad I eat every day now. Or the fact that I've divorced beer.

I wonder if anyone ever read Sam Shepherd is cholesterol number in the 60s?

Courtney said...

it's a really hard balance. I usually think if I write OR exercise in a day, then it's a success, but I rarely achieve both. Now that I'm pregnant I imagine the balance will only grow more difficult. Good luck finding your own balance!

JellyCarv said...

Is it really that difficult to keep the balance? I want to become a writer, but.. if I'm going to have to sacrifice my health for it, is it really worth it ?
Some advice would be greatly appreciated .

WoodSlicker: Nature for Those Stuck in NYC said...

I love your blog. I'm a young playwright myself (have my one-act being produced at NY's Strawberry One Act Festival).
Always found it difficult to write in the morning - my inspiration seems to peak at night.
Where can I read your work? Or act in it? I'm an aqtor as well!
Visit my blog at http://theideahole.blogspot.com

Wicked Tickets New York said...

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Republic Monetary Exchange said...

Yeah, I am totally going to tell my partner that's my excuse for not exercising...I have to write!

Latino Heritage said...

Eureka. Must not be able to work since it seems to easy and logical.

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John St. Croix said...

Oh yah, I know exactly how it is! I've been on a new diet recently and it seems to really have affected my relationship with my work and even more so, my relations with my friends

john
http://youngtheatreartist.blogspot.com/

Los Angeles theater said...

One day on and one day off at the gym is not a bad idea in general. I have found that taking ten minutes at t he end of my workout to sit in the sauna helps me organize my thoughts for the day...have you tried that?

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Mother of Invention said...

I have a sleep apnea, so I have to make exercise a top priority. By the time I get to the gym, change, work out, shower, and come home, sometimes 3 hours are gone. It's a major investment of time, but I don't have any choice. I spend an hour on the stairmaster every day I work out, which is a lot, but I find that it is valuable as meditative time. I come to a lot of valuable realizations about my directing and teaching while I'm doing it, so that is something.

Unknown said...

Maybe a little "laugh therapy" would help. It's been shown to have definite health benefits.
I had a chance to get some the Book of Mormon tickets when I was in New York over the summer. It was everything that was advertised, down to the crass bits about genital mutilation. I was expecting that, so I still found it very, very funny.
I should say I've been a fan of South Park since the days of Jesus vs. Santa Claus, and I thought the South Park movie was great. I didn't have a problem finding tickets, btw. I saw several other Broadway Shows while I was there.
Go see it if you can. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

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Chris said...

I found something else that might help with your laugh therapy regimen. During my last trip, one of the other shows I saw on Broadway was How to Succeed in Business. It's a really funny show, and watching Harry Potter dance and sing just adds to it.
The How to Succeed in Business Broadway tickets I found were a great buy!

PG Stage said...

Really helpful post, Thanks

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