It was a weird amount of time to kill and I thought about just trying to nap in my car. But the sun was shining and I saw the walking path and decided to take a 20-minute walk instead of a nap. It was energizing, and refreshing, and made me wonder why I don’t do it more regularly.
As I pondered my motivation I realized there are many barriers to exercise for me.
I can walk on the dirt road my home, alongside the highway. But if I leave the house I need to account for my whereabouts to my children. And I may have to take the toddler with me and that is a whole other type of walk, which will just throw my hips and shoulders out of whack.
And then to get to a yoga studio would require a minimum 10-minute drive, so I would need to ensure childcare for at least an hour and thirty minutes. And I didn’t even mention the cost of classes and childcare.
Physical therapy (PT) has always been the most consistent way for me to exercise. Perhaps it’s because insurance is paying for it, perhaps it is because I desperately desire healing from various and diverse injuries. Maybe it’s because the mindset is about healing and long-term self-care, rather than the need to fit into a swimsuit or just be buff. My intrinsic motivation is different for physical therapy. It’s about making sure I can manage my health to keep up with my children for years to come. My previous injuries to my back and ankle have regular flare-ups of pain if I don’t maintain some basic stretches and exercise.
Even though insurance currently covers my PT, I still have to leave work for approximately 2 hours, between dropping my toddler at childcare, traveling to the appointment which is an hour, and then reversing the process. When I make an hourly wage that feels like a major loss of income.
Because of all these reasons, exercise is for the privileged. For people who can have home gyms or spare the money for gym memberships and classes. People for whom childcare is available. Those who don’t have to pick and choose what fits into their budget.
In addition to the external barriers, exercise is not a value that I have. A healthy and strong body yes, but not a toned, ripped, svelte figure. I am not a sedentary person, nor am I highly active. Actually, my activity changes with the seasons. Come spring I will be planting a garden, while summer will beckon me to hiking and “swimming” in the wild forests and lakes. In autumn there will be harvests, and the general running around of parenting happens all year round.
As the weather dips to subzero temperatures, I find the idea of exercise laughable. I just want to sit in a bundle of blankets and sweaters, not hop on a treadmill. So I will not be resolving to exercise this year right now.
Still, when the opportunity presents itself for a solitary walk, I will do so.
For the Ears
During Christmas, I enjoyed listening to The Nutcracker, and now I am just listening to this whole playlist of classical ballet. Actually, an impromptu dance party with the kids is probably the best form of cardio I could have. Not nearly as graceful as ballet, but so much fun.
For the Eyes
I finished reading “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker and plan to watch the movie. The story was riveting, the insights into faith and God (not an old white man) rich, and revealed ways in which black women have had to fight for any kind of respect. Have you read it? (Trigger warning: sexual assault and marital abuse happen in the story.)
This TikTok about how The stakes of a trad wife are changed depending on the place of privilege, also applies to exercise.
For the Taste Buds
My youngest son has set a goal of learning to flip pancakes in 2024. While we all enjoy the classic buttermilk, we are always open to new flavors. Some family favorites include: pumpkin spice, lemon zucchini, chocolate chip, and huckleberry.
May this week bring joy to your senses and your soul.
While this can be laughable cause I don't do it, but ever considered the YouTube videos? There's no shortage whatsoever of them, and true, they lack that human factor of spacial connection and being with people in the same space..
Ever considered an exercise with the kids? It's a family bonding, and an exercise too. Put something on and try to do whatever they're doing for 20-30 mins.. maybe I'm too optimistic..
I'm also like you, I don't like spending way too much money on exercise, so I don't have a gym membership or any of that when I have the outdoors.. I have used resistance bands, and they're very useful, portable, and don't take much space too..
Loved your impromptu dance party with the kids plan! Our 'grandkids' do love the space unintentionally left between dining rm and living room, and call it ";their dance floor" - its right in front of the stereo music supplies as well... thought no longer needed with 'Spotify" and ROKU streaming capabilities these days - and there's You Tube that can be cast for dance ideas and our Humana has a BUNCH of various aerobic classes to sign into... (not that I DO that... as I must force myself into those routines, even though somewhat privileged, its not a 'go to' choice for me - YES to outdoors whenever possible! MUSIC does MOTIVATE :)