Monday, August 13, 2007

Endorphins

Posted by Lisa

This...
...is Athena, the Greek Goddess of wisdom, war, and the arts. Look at her. Now, she is a take-charge person, a pro-active woman who gets things done. If she were a writer, how would she approach her craft?

Let's think about Athena. Oh, how those endorphines must flow after she's been fighting battles, breaking a sweat in hand-to-hand combat with three headed serpents, for instance. That can take a lot out of a person. When she ready for quiet time and she sits down at her writing table, I imagine she is in the just-right frame of mind to re-read that first chapter to discover just what isn't working. Refining her characters and tying threads in her plot must be a welcome change of pace for her. And after that adreline rush, well, that must give her the focus she needs.

Lately, I've had the opportunity to exercise: hiking, tennis, swimming. And I've remembered something that I had forgotten: Exercise is good for your brain. I know you know this, too. But I must say, my focus is better after getting my blood to really pump.

It's time for, let me call it an end of summer resolution. My writing (not to mention my health and weight) will benefit from exercise. Join me in my committment to moving, AKA getting off my butt before writing. Even if it's jumping jacks or a walk around the block.

It's worth a try?! Isn't it?

Share your stories with us, too!

9 comments:

Holly Kennedy said...

I recently 'made up' with my treadmill (can't remember why we had a fall out, but it happened) and for three weeks now I've been walking 4 miles 6 days/week. And yes, I DO find it makes my mind sharper as well. Couldn't
agree more :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Lisa,

I've already applied for membership to the tennis club. I'll be joined by my sons otherwise i pay a penalty to my wife.
Now why do I always allow my wife to get me to make these sort of promises. :)

kristen spina said...

I'm with you, all the way. I've been mulling over my "fall" schedule, which starts with the new school year on Sept. 5th. Here's my plan: 8 am, drop my son off at school, followed by a brisk walk (of increasing duration and speed) through the neighborhood. Come home, write, eat, write, pick my son up from school at 2:45pm. His school day will become my "me" day.

Lisa Marnell said...

...and what is so spectacular and wonderful about all of your comments is that your good habits and intentions gives others (and me) even more committment. Thank you!

Congratulations to all of you for your motivation!

Therese Fowler said...

After injuring my knee in May, what exercise routine I did have deteriorated to almost zero. Like Kristen, my new plan is to fit it back into my day when my sons start school two weeks from today.

And next week I'll be snorkeling and kayaking around Key West--that's not a bad way to kick off the exercise regimen, is it?

Aprilynne Pike said...

I'm going back to the gym today after having a baby a month ago and I am so excited! I find that exercising helps every part of my daily life. A big part of that is that i sleep better and that definitely helps my writing.:)

I tell you what, though, I will be very grateful not to receive the funny looks I got before I stopped exercising a week before my due date.:)

Melissa Amateis said...

I took my dog for a walk last night after we had a huge thunderstorm. It was wonderful. With everything going on with my hsuband, I hadn't been exercising much. But I felt so much better when I got back to the house, and I jumped into my novel. I'm going to hit Curves this week, as well, since I also gained a bit of weight during hubby's whole experience.

It's amazing how much better exercise makes you feel. I need to remind myself of that when I make every excuse NOT to go work out.

Lisa said...

I just went back to the gym again last week after a long absence. Thanks for the additional motivation! I just need to decide what time each day I'll do it and stick to the plan.

Larramie said...

There's nothing like getting your heart pumping and blood flowing faster throughout your body. Once more oxygen reaches your brain cells prepare yourself for creativity, unbound. ;)

TGIF = Thank Goodness It's Fall!