One down, four to go

The holiday season that is bookended by Halloween and Valentine's day is always the longest 106 days in my fitness and health routine.  This, coupled by the impending winter weather, seems to always be ripe for falling back in to sedentary habits and crappy eating.  So when I woke up this morning to see that I was still headed in the right direction on several goals, I was ecstatic.  And eventhough I got not nearly enough sleep last night and really feel like taking a nap, I am happily trudging along on my treadmill.  If the same variables were in play at this time last year, I would have collapsed on to the couch for a long winter's nap.

Television & Treadmilling

I've set up my treadmill desk to face the television. I've found that I can walk off several miles while watching my favorite shows. I have also found that if I am tired and don't want to walk, watching a show or the news takes my mind off of either my tiredness or my boredom and once I am a few minutes in to it the stress, tiredness, and boredom melt away. Being on sabbatical, I was worried that I might just sit hours on end in front of my computer - and with such a scenario - I might eat out of boredom rather than out of necessity. Walking on the treadmill when I am in front of the computer or television not only lessens the body boredom, but also makes it nearly impossible to engage in mindless eating. I have actually discovered that I am eating only when I am hungry and that it is purposeful. Today is day #16 and by the end of this current session, I will have walked more than 100 miles!