Exercise

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During the slug time of winter, I’ve not been able to get out and ride my daily ride. I’ve noticed it doesn’t take long to become a solitary couch potato without moving around.

Walking between rooms while the snow fills the roads is not exercise.

Remember those simple exercises that were taught in school? Jumping jacks, toe touching, sit-ups, pull-ups, and push-ups.

We did them as a class at recess, then as a group in funny shorts and t-shirts during gym. These exercise classes instructed by a teacher or a coach included our first locker and shower experiences.

But the format was easy. Lie down on the ground, have someone hold your feet, then sit up and try to touch your toes. Turn over and lift yourself using your arms and keeping your body straight. Stand straight, jump up spreading your feet apart and slapping your hands over your head, then bounce back to straight. Then repeat.

It doesn’t require any fancy spandex, or machinery, which we all buy but never use. It doesn’t require a DVD or even an iPod to keep the rhythm. A simple 1-2-3-4 count off will keep the pattern.

It is so simple it can be done in any room of the house or even outside.

My ride today (before the rain) felt long, with a slow pace, but I finished the route.

The robins swarmed the wet swamp grass for early spring as the large hawk announced itself overhead. Leaves and bags of leaves ready for pickup but avoided when the snows came clog the melting water forming ponds. Children laughed and did somersaults as their father praised their play.

I use the lame excuse of rain to hold me inside this afternoon, but the lunch of mozzarella cheese sticks and cheddar cheese and bacon covered potato skins does not help what I logically know I need to do.

The sun and warm weather will be here soon and the excuses will go away. So a regular daily schedule will begin again.

At least that is the plan, but as I am fully aware, some plans take longer than others.

And don’t forget to drink lots of water.