stress fightin' machine

A week ago I attended my first giant staff meeting for my new branch of the college. As an ice breaker, we answered a serious of questions - How will your co-workers know if you are stressed? How will you combat stress? How will you work toward life balance? As I stared at the questions on the page, I realized that the treadmill desk has fundamentally changed my work persona. While the answer to the first was pretty easy - I will be frustrated about mundane things - it was difficult to craft answers to the other two which didn't include treadmill desk in the answer. How will I combat stress? - walk a few minutes on the tread. How will I strike balance in my life? - walk a few minutes on the tread. I realized that not only has my body responded physically to the demands of walking an average of 4.8 miles per day at work, but my psyche has also responded positively. Being able to put myself in a work zone is great - the increased productivity and focus washes away any stress that might otherwise build up. It can also be a johnny-on-the-spot remedy. As we finish up the second week of classes, I wonder if I will feel the same way once mid-semesters (and their associated d-slips) roll around.

As mundane, expected, or drab as any other office furniture

It really didn't strike me until today, that not once during the 3.5 hours of academic advising on Friday did one of my advisees make mention of the fact that I had a treadmill in my office.  In their defense I was not aboard the tread when they arrived.  This coupled by perhaps the anxiety, excitement, or both of registering for their first term at our college, it is understandable that they had other things on their minds. The oddity of their lack of response versus the students who I have encountered since then has reinforced my decision to bring the tread to work in the first place.  I was greeted with big smiles, a few whatthe*%#&, and one wave (from the outside sidewalk below).  One of my bosses dropped in and told me to keep walking as though this would be commonplace -- me walking while we discussed registration, orientation, communication, or one of the other -tions.  I chose not to keep walking, but in the future, I just might.  It will be interesting, as the student interactions are increasing with their return to school,  to see the continued response (or lack of response).  Regardless, I think it is fair to say that the tread is here to stay - to brighten someone's day, make someone stop and take a second look, or just consider how they might think differently.

Solace in the hum

Sometimes when you least expect it, life just jumps up and bites you in the behind.  This happened to me at the end of this past week and as I prepared for a series of unexpected meetings, I found amazing solace and calm aboard the tread.  I'm not sure if it were the whirrr of my tread motor (although it is pretty quiet) or the steady rhythm of my steps that lulled me in to a quiet reassurance.  I felt grounded, focused, and ready to take on the world successfully, which, incidentally, I did.  After the meetings, I found the treadmill to be the perfect place to debrief.  I turned up my sabbatical soundtrack and let the motion, music, and minutes return me to my pre-meeting, stress-less place. As I gear up for another long week, I find that like any kind of activity, a little warm up aboard the tread pays off.  I am also pleased to note that although the week in hindsight seemed pretty stressful, I managed to maintain my routine and continue to make good progress toward my goals (see progress report to the right).

Ta-da & the 1st dress rehearsal

Last night as I was updating my tracking spread sheet, I realized that I would cross the 1M second mark in the last minutes of my evening desk work.  So rather than finishing last night, I cut my workout 1 second short of the milestone so that the very second I stepped on to my treadmill desk today I would have accomplished something great!  I wasn't sure how I would feel, but as I pushed the speed button and listened to the beeps as the treadmill ramped up and watched the first second tick off, I felt a rush of adrenaline.  1,000,000 seconds.  Dang that is a lot of work and workout.  277.77 hours of walking.  Although I have only put in one 8+ hour day, I anticipate that with my return to work in January that the second million might come more quickly.  Since, I have an appointment this morning at 9am (the same time I will start teaching in January), I thought I would run a dress rehearsal this morning and see how my mileage might be on a average day.  I had planned to get on the tread by 7:45am (see earlier posts), but didn't get on until a little before 8am. Since I have to drive to my appointment, rather than walk across campus, I will have to jump off a bit earlier than I will when I return to campus.  My plan is to be working at the treadmill desk when I am not at an appointment, lunch, or afternoon meeting.  This should be pretty close to what an average day will look like when I return to work.  I will report the mileage in a post later this week.

Pushing past the wall

For the first time in 70 some days - I had no desire to jump on to my treadmill desk.  I fell asleep watching an 8:00pm show with my older son. Last night I was awoken in the middle of the night by some noisy neighborhood teens, which was shortly followed by a call from a friend informing me that my younger son, who was at her house for a sleepover, had woken up with an earache and fever.  Today we spent the entire day entertaining mostly strangers in our house as we survived our stint on the Children's Home Society Parlor Tour.  So I am tired.  I am yawning as I type and walk.  But when I began this journey, I committed to myself to make no excuses.  For me, excuses - legit or fabricated - have always become a slippery slope.  If I bag out of my routine because I am tired, then I create a precedent for bagging out when I have too much to do.  Exercise, nutrition, and general wellbeing must be purposeful and that is the journey that I have committed to; one that reclaims my previous self from excuses, self-doubt, boredom, and external criticism.  This is not to say that I would jeopardize my husband's, children's, or own wellbeing, rather this is more of a realization that when I am able - being purposeful in this journey pays dividends in a healthier me, which in turn transports me to a more energetic, happier, and healthier place from which to care for my family, work, and other responsibilities.  So 20 minutes in to a routing on an evening of a day that was likely to see 0 minutes -- I journey on.

Chainsawin', Wood Haulin', & Treadmillin'

What I have happily figured out is that my treadmill desk addiction has become so ingrained in my daily bodily needs, that even though I spent an hour this morning learning to use a chainsaw (thanks K) and another hour or so safely and properly wielding said chainsaw, and then a bit more time tossing about the "rounds" that I made quick work of with my new friend, Mr. Chain, followed by a walk with a friend, shopping with my mother-in-law, a few hours as a spectator of various grades of schoolboy basketball, and a minor computer meltdown at our house -- even after all that, after the dust settled, the kids were asleep, and I had brushed off most of the wood chips, I jumped up on to the treadmill desk to check email, watch some tele, and write this post. I also have discovered that my daily use of the treadmill desk has enabled me to work stronger, longer, and more efficiently. While the chainsaw wasn't especially heavy, it was awkward. While the walk wasn't long, it followed a morning of hard labor. I felt strong, empowered, healthy, in shape, and ready to tackle whatever life might toss at me - be it mother-in-laws, basketball spectating, or computer meltdowns. While I half expected to jump on the tread to burn some residual stress, what I noticed was that my routine has strengthened my resolve in so many areas of my life.

My Goodwill shirt

So here is a confession - I LOVE shopping at Goodwill.  For awhile it freaked out my husband (what would people think), but when he realized that I could regularly purchase 3 pairs of jeans and two shirts for under $12 -- his freakiness diminished. It has been super helpful to have a great Goodwill in our little college town - particularly since my weight has fluctuated nearly 40 lbs in the last four years.  A few months ago I bought a fun, Columbia brand shirt (hence the X on the tag, which equals name brand, which means no additional discount).  Unfortunately, when I got home, I was busting out of it -- literally.  I sadly put it in the end of my closet that is reserved for stuff that needs to go to the consignment store.  But life got busy, I didn't get to the consignment store and lo and behold this morning, I got adventurous and tried the shirt on again.  Project Treadmill Desk strikes again!  Not only have I lost 11.5 pounds, but I have also lost a little more than an inch in my chest -- just enough to go from "busting out" to a nice tailored fit.  While this might seem like a small thing, when you look good and feel good, it is quite amazing how everything seems good - despite dreary weather  and disappearing sabbatical days.  If you are still debating whether a similar program is right for you let me once again assure you that when you look great and feel great chances are very high that you are great!

Clean out the turkey

In just a bit more than 10 weeks, I will be returning to my full time job.  I think about returning to work, like I think about Thanksgiving dinner -- neither excite me, but when they arrive I will rise to the occasion.  As Thanksgiving rolls closer, I am reminded of a strategy that I have employed in the past - those great articles in Sunset magazine or Rachel Ray that give you a timeline of sorts (2 weeks in advance - buy turkey, 1 week in advance - thaw turkey, etc.).  I think I can employee a similar strategy for a healthy return to my job.   I feel like I have made great gains physically (actually more losses than gains), emotionally, and professionally.  I am hoping to maintain the momentum right up until Jan. 19 - so I can return much like the anticipation of a Thanksgiving turkey -- with a feeling of satisfaction (for a job well done), satiety, and sanity, which will hopefully propel me through the spring semester.  To that end, I am beginning a timeline of activities that I hope to accomplish in preparation for my return - some are related to my goals set forth at the beginning of this project and some are not.  Feel free to make suggestions in the comments.

1. 10 weeks out - adapt, begin employment, and finalize GTD (get things done) system for RTW (return to work) 
2. 9 weeks out - meet with big boss, finalize syllabi, order textbooks
   
3. 8 weeks out - order holiday cards
   
4. 7 weeks out - give thanks and enjoy Thanksgiving
5. 6 weeks out - prep house for house tour, send out holiday cards
6. 5 weeks out - do Christmas shopping
7. 4 weeks out - make list of things that will need to return to work with me
8. 3 weeks out - savor the season
9. 2 weeks out - pack return boxes
10. 7 days out - find "knock 'em dead" outfit for first day of school
11. 6 days out - ???
12. 5 days out - ???
13. 4 days out - ???
14. 3 days out - ???
15. 2 days out - ???
16. 1 day out - lay out "knock 'em dead" outfit for work tomorrow

Fears, Futures, and Fortitude

So as I near the end of my third week, I am finding myself nervous about week four.  As a person who spends a good deal of each year cajoling faculty and staff at my college to engage in new exercise routines -- I know how critical week four can be.  Week four takes someone toward the all important 28 day mark.  Research shows that on average it takes 28 days to make or break a habit.  As such, I was totally excited to make it this far; that is, until I had to schedule an unexpected trip to California for a week long stint.  I will be far away from my tread desk.  I have come to love my tread desk and all it has to offer.  So while I should be thrilled to be heading out for a bit of reprieve from life, I am less enthused than I expected.  On average I have been walking close to 7 miles per day.  Because I am heading south to help my parents, the idea of taking several hours out of each day to get 7 miles of walking in seems a bit selfish.  I do, however, want to keep up my progress so I am gearing up to get up each morning at 6am for a 3+ mile walk-jog.  I hope to repeat the routine in the early evening.  Stay tuned to monitor my progress.