Sunday, October 27, 2013

Have a Seat

It was 1987. My previous professional position required a lot of walking, from office to office, bringing research materials or article drafts or photo proofs from here to there. Through halls and tunnels, up and down stairs, around and around the concourse of State office buildings. I also walked the half mile from my apartment to my office.


Then I got a job with a small, non-computerized advertising agency, a 25 minute drive from home.  I was responsible for typing/transcribing/filing/researching/ media-buying/estimating/copywriting/article writing. The desk was my ball-and-chain. Boy, my butt spread like THAT (sound of fingers snapping).


Fast forward to 2013.


So, have a seat at this machine in front of this gi-nor-mous TV and do your exercise. It'll be great for you, just like the brochure says.  Don't you love the fancy graphics with the light-up display of the muscle groups you're working?


Have a seat. Doesn't really matter if your gluteals completely shut down during this exercise. You only really need them if you intend to walk upright, ambulate, or play golf. Or tennis. Or ski. Whatever. Doesn't matter if you can't put your head back on the bench because of a lifetime of poor posture. Doesn't matter if your core musculature is largely disengaged. Doesn't matter if there is absolutely NOTHING you do in real life that requires you to press two pads way out to the side against resistance in a seated position. Doesn't matter if you think about your movement or feel your body's response here, just have a seat.


You say your back and your legs hurt when you've been sitting down too long? Well, by all means, have a seat and exercise.


x-/


Stand up, if you can -- and Be Well!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Taking My Own Advice

1. I advise myself to compose a blog a week, even if it's only 150 characters. March was the last time I posted. That's just silly, I've had so many important thoughts vaporize into the ether since then... ahem.


2. I advise myself to get a massage at least quarterly. Not enough but it's better than annually. I had a 1/2 hour neck massage today and I think my head is going to explode from all the extra circulation. Hence, advisory #1, above.


3. I'm already relentless about taking this bit of advice, but it bears repeating. Exercise regularly. You brush your teeth regularly, you bathe regularly, maybe you even floss regularly. See that sign at the dentist's office that says, "No, you don't have to floss your teeth. Just the ones you want to keep." Follow me on this, you don't have to exercise your muscles, joints, organs, systems. Just the ones you want to keep. :-)


4. I advise myself to send out more birthday greetings. I have the technology.


5. I advise myself to ask for what I want, offer what I want, and smile while asking and offering. Vague, I know, but think of all the mundane or magnificent personal and professional ways this can be put into practice. For instance, that once-a-month-at-the-most hamburger I find I need to have really, really, really needs to be brought to me cooked medium. Apparently, it is up to me to go the extra mile to make this happen, as the last 3 times I've ordered a burger medium it arrived raw/well-done-hockey-puck/hockey puck the sequel. Come on.


 This is a theme that I will return to, I can feel it. Can you feel it?


 Be Well!!