New Goal: Be Active Throughout the Day
Published on Jul 7th, 2008 in Fitness, Goals with
I sit too much.
This is partly due to my job, largely due to blogging, and mostly because it’s my own fault! Sitting all day actually makes me tired! I also dread the Numb Bum Syndrome and the infamous “Blogger’s Butt.” I believe my body craves and needs to move. Nothing like a walk outside to re-energize! Are you the same way? But sometimes I just get too lazy to get up and move, and I hate being lazy! Such a conundrum!
On the other hand, I finished the WOMAN Challenge this past weekend and received that coveted completion certificate. My goal in this challenge was to exercise 5 days a week for a minimum of 30 minutes, and I did accomplish that. Yes, some days were harder than others, like when I visited family in Texas, but I still squeaked by! 
And you know what? It felt good to complete that 8-week challenge. But now that it’s over, I’m sort of wishing there was another one.
You see, creating goals and a little competition with myself motivates me.
Then I thought why not create my own little, personal challenge? Why not make it a goal to get some physical activity every day! And by physical activity, I mean: taking a walk with my husband after dinner, making a point to get up from my desk every couple hours at work to walk around the building and take the stairs, doing some lunges across the living room, stretching my entire body before getting in to bed. Etc, etc, etc…
The point I’m sure you see is to simply be more active throughout the day instead of sitting for all hours with one 30-minute hard core workout slipped in for good measure.
Yes, I still want to fit in those “real” workouts throughout the week as I think they’re excellent for really improving strength and endurance. But I don’t want them to be the sole focus. You could say I want to take a more “big picture” view instead of only focusing on one of the details.
Early this year I made a goal to focus on health instead of simply looks when it comes to eating and exercising. I think changing my view to more of the big picture (being active throughout the day) instead of focusing only on one detail (30-minute “real” workout) can help me with this mindset change. It’s definitely worth a shot! 
Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time I get away from the computer and move a little…
It’s so true that we tend to think of “workouts” as this one thing we have to do, which can be daunting, rather than trying to fit in exercise whenever we can. I love after dinner walks, like you mentioned, and those miles add up!
Being active throughout the day is a nice way to accommodate for a busy schedule, and that way if your plans get derailed at least you’ve done a bit to compensate for it! Also if you need an excuse to stand, do a huge amount of squats one day or go for an extra long bike ride. The next day your butt will be so sore that sitting down won’t be something you’ll want to do!
Sounds like a great plan! The Bag Lady needs to get off her fat butt and go now….
i totally agree with this! if anything i want to do this everyday: be active throughout the day. i sit at a desk all day at work too. congrats on completing the challenge!
sounds interesting, and if i heard about it i would’ve definitely participated in it!
Crabby,
If I feel I “have” to do a 30-minute (or longer), intense workout, I also feel pressure. Going for a walk after dinner or during my lunch hour is a lot less stressful. I may not be getting that intense workout, but it’s still exercise nonetheless.
Sagan,
Ha! That’s a great idea! I like butt exercises anyway; I like toning that part of the body (mine could always use some extra help)!
Bag Lady,
You’re too funny. Hope you had a good walk, or whatever exercise you chose to do.
Sue,
Thanks!
Oh, I’m sure there will be other challenges out there. The WOMAN Challenge is an annual event, so the next one is scheduled for May 2009.
And goodness knows that will be here before we know it!!
numb bum
ahhh I know ye well.
M.
Guilty as charged! I need to get up and walk around a little more often as well.
Hi Patrick,
Don’t we all… well, most of us anyway!