oh the irony

so, i finally get brave enough to go public with my commitment to add exercise to my daily routine. i confess to the world wide web that i am walking to the office.
then, i wake up with the worst head-neck-back-and-hip pain i have ever had in my life. i don't just think i "slept on it wrong", i truly believe that my wife whacked me repeatedly with a louisville slugger whilst i slept. well, she would never do that, but it hurt that bad.
i actually watched the clock count-down the minutes and second until the chiropractor's office opened so i could call to come in. (for those who can relate--3 places out in my neck, 2 places out in my back, my right shoulder was out and my hip was out).
needless to say, i had to drive to work today--i'm in no condition to walk where there be not sidewalks.
(so, i might have to go shopping so i can walk around the mall to add exercise to my daily routine)

exercise

i hate to exercise. i have never been one who derives any pleasure from intentionally sweating. i see the benefit of it. i know the necessity of it.
but, here's an opposite look at it. i love to play games with friends--you, know the kind i mean: friendly competition of volleyball or softball (not basketball--too much skill required). if i could just surround myself with opportunities to play games, i would be increasing physical activity that could count as exercie.
my point is this: for those like me who don't want to exercise but need to, add physical activity to your regular routine. it's not about buying a treadmill or video of the latest-greatest. simply increase your activity within your already established circle.
so, i've started to walk to work again. i'll break out the bike again soon, but for now, i walk. i've started parking farther away from my destination. it's true that i can't walk every where, but i can walk within certain parameters.
also, instead of the big power tools of yard work, i'm taking the time to do things by hand. our garden is in the process of becoming weed-free. we're not using chemicals or power tools, we're using exercise for a double benefit.
maybe that's the concept i've come to grasp: exercise, though it has it's own reward, just doesn't reward me in the immediacy. "i can't see it, so what's the point?" however, when i walk to work because i had to be there anyway, i see the benefit. when the garden needs weeded anyway and i can bring my son with me to pull weeds (well, he just eats dirt and worms), but it's bonding time, weeding time and exercise.
it's more bang for my buck and less fat cells in my waist line.

ps - to 3 faithful friends who offered me a ride home on sunday afternoon, i say "thank you". you all had backseat space to spare, but i'm on a mission to live healthier and this is just one small improvement i can make. at the same time, it's good to know i've got friends.

back in the saddle again

well, to my loyal readers who have been so disappointed that i haven't been posting for a while, i tell you that i am back.
i took time off for the following reasons:

1. to collect my thoughts
2. to avoid blogging burnout
3. to free some time in my daily/weekly schedule in order to focus on other more urgent projects
4. to clear my head and heart while awaiting the arrival of Emmaus James

i think i have accomplished all of those goals and am now ready to return to my on-line journaling. it may be a fast return, it may be a slow return or it may never be the same again (though i've got a new photo subject that i'm just dying to start sharing with you).

but in the words of the immortal bard, joey tribbiani, who upon moving out from chandler's apartment said, "i thought it would be good to have time alone with my thoughts. but, you know, i don't have as many as you might think."