Healthy Writers Club: Write to Live, Live to Write

January 4th, 2013 | by Beth Barany

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Healthy Writers Club_running_pictogramInspired by Josh Clark’s article on the site, coolrunning.com, I’ve been doing a Couch-to-5K training since Oct 2012.

About weekly I share my Exercise Log to stay accountable to my commitment to my health and to the Healthy Writers Club. I also reflect on my writing, creativity, and a creative life.

And because some people have asked, and I’ve mentioned it in previous posts, I use the cool iPhone app called Seconds Pro (their site: http://www.secondsapp.com/) to stay focused for this interval training. I love this app because I can customize it for each week’s training.

Saturday, Dec. 29th: Walked in my neighborhood, along Piedmont Ave., to the Mountain View Cemetery {still} using Week #4 on the Couch-to-5K training, but low key, since my heel was hurting. But I just wanted to stroll in the cold afternoon. (I’ll get to Week #5 eventually! LOL)

When I got home, I did:

Push ups against the wall: 12. (same as last time)

Plank: 33 seconds. (same as last time)

Tuesday, Jan. 1st: What a nice way to bring in the New Year! A walk! Walked in my neighborhood, along Piedmont Ave., to the Mountain View Cemetery using Week #4 on the Couch-to-5K training. I was able to have a good pace. Yeah!

When I got home, I did:

Push ups against the wall: 1o. (less than last time)

Plank: 33 seconds. (same as last time)

Wednesday, Jan. 2nd: Capoiera class: The room was chilly, so kept extra layers on for most of the class. It is nice to see how much I’ve learned since July, but I’m not doing things that will tax my plantar fasciitis.

**I’m stating here for accountability purposes that starting March 21st, I’ll stay until 9:30pm, and start playing in the roda, the round, where we actually play in pairs to live music.**

Exercising and Writing

All I know is that I need to walk, then I can write. It’s like a 1-2 punch to prime my creativity. Do you experience that too? (Or, am I alone in this — is what I really want to know!)

***

Healthy Writers Club_running_pictogramMore info on the Healthy Writers Club and
my fellow writers participating here:
http://www.shalleemcarthur.com/p/the-healthy-writers-club.html.

At last count we are up to 30 writers! Woot! Together we are strong! Shallee, Thanks for creating this movement!

Welcome to one of our members: Wendy Swore, a writer, farmer, and mother of five. Awesome! I love the name of her blog, Goddess of the Corn.

***

How about you? Share your exercise, both casual and otherwise, below, and let’s support each other!

***

Beth Barany, Author, Speaker, Creativity Coach for WritersPS. When I’m not walking, or writing, I help authors create successful books and careers, as a coach and advisor.

I help authors: get their books done; publish (what’s the best publishing option for you? How to self-publish, etc.); and market their books (blog tours, review requests, social media setup, etc.).

If you want personalized, tailored one-on-one support, that’s what I’m excellent at. Contact me for a Discovery Session to see how a writing coach, award-winning author, Certified Creativity Coach and Master NLP Practitioner can help you fall in love with your writing, again.

Sign up for a 60-Minute Complimentary Coaching Discovery Session here. I give away 10 slots per month, and I’m booking for January and February 2013 now.

 

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  • http://monicacomas.blogspot.com Monica Comas

    Terrific post, Beth–thanks for the motivation! Just last week I was having a really tough time working through this one part in my manuscript–a good run cleared my head and made a seemingly non-writable moment writable. :) You’re onto something here…looking forward to reading more about your exercising & writing!

    Cheers,
    Monica Comas

  • http://OneToughMotherRunner.com Wendy Flynn

    Hi Beth – I really enjoyed your post. It was great to learn about the Healthy Writers Club – I joined today! I started running in June 2012, and completed my first half-marathon in December. It’s just the beginning for me! I also launched my blog (http://OneToughMotherRunner.com) as an outcome of my running.

    I find that my best ideas, most creative titles and writing for my blogs comes to me during the times when I’m alone with my thoughts, and running. It’s especially important to have that quiet solitude – I’m a mom of three kids, and solitude does not come easily! :)

    Why don’t you join my Planks-A-Lot January challenge? Simple, easy, and something that you can do inside that will help you with your running!

  • http://www.bethbarany.com Beth Barany

    Monica, So cool you use writing to clear your head. I’m only at the walking stages, at this point. Running well and with ease is actually my dream. You can enjoy more of my Healthy Writers Club posts here: http://www.writersfunzone.com/blog/?s=healthy+writers+club

    Wendy, Congratulations for completing your first half-marathon! I’ll check out your blog, and your Planks-A-Lot January challenge. I’ve been starting to do planks, as you can see from my log, so it would be fun to have more support around that. :-)

  • http://cherisidlechatter.blogspot.com/ Cheri

    Nice post; great way to help keep yourself on track. I’m just about to wrap up a Wednesday theme day next week and have been thinking that after that I shall replace it with Weight Loss Wednesday, also to help with accountability.

    I tried C25K last year, but ended up hurting myself and had to move to my glider instead of running. I did complete it, but I know it was nowhere the same as actual running. I may give it a try later this spring, though I don’t have any deep desire to actually be a runner, it was very helpful to my fitness goals.

    I’ll have to take a look at Healthy Writers–are people allowed there who really *aren’t* too healthy, but are working on making changes? ;-)

  • http://www.bethbarany.com Beth Barany

    Cheri, Do the kind of exercise that you love. I’ve seen and experienced that it’s the only way to stick with any fitness activity.

    And of course, Healthy Writers Club is for people *aren’t* too healthy, but are working on making changes… I could so stand to love 15-20 pounds. I sit in front of a computer all day. LOL Please do join us! ;-)

  • http://HalePringle.com Hale

    Beth,
    I love the online accountability. When you know you have to say it publicly it takes on a whole new meening.

    You asked, so I’ll say that walking and writing are disconnected for me. Now it would be better if they were connected since I do have a weight problem. Still, sad to say it never even occured to me that they might be connected :)

    For what it is worth a while back I listened to a VERY interesting tape. The speaker
    explained that in his mind, he needed different environments for different tasks. For example he could not do creative tasks at his desk. The keyboard and phone were overwhelming. He also had a special place just for studying. You walking may be your special place for pulling your thoughts together so that writing is just getting it on paper (or scren.) Nice post. Oh Hale Yes!

  • http://www.bonniegean.com/ Bonnie Gean

    You’re definitely not alone in the I must walk first before I write category.

    Sometime ago I learned how beneficial walking was to my creativity. If I am sitting here for a stretch and my mind is foggy… I know it’s time to go out for my stroll around the neighborhood.

    Do you find that walking to NEW areas boosts your productivity? I find that if I steer my walking path differently each day, my level of creativity bursts in measures far beyond my comprehension.

    I get less stressed, sleep sound, and feel much more refreshed and passionate to start my day.

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