Exercise, Having fun and the “To Be” List

They say everything adds up and indeed it does.

In late June I started tracking my steps/normal activity + bouncing regularly on my Rebounder (indoor trampoline). And no, it was nothing more than a realization that I was sitting too much and moving too little.

You won’t get the butt you want sitting on the one you’ve got!

As background, I’ve been bouncing on and off since last Fall, but I finally committed to a regular schedule after joining a “Bounce Daily for 30 Days” challenge in a Rebounding Facebook Group {{ see, there can be good things in FB-land, not just political rants, recipes involving cheese or personality quizzes!}}

My beautiful bouncy Bellicon rebounder!

Since June 21 I’ve amassed 452K steps= 186 miles, and 18 hours of it is just from bouncing!

I like keeping track because keeping track keeps me accountable. I also like visuals, stats and bright colors.

But – as has been the norm for most of my adult career life, I get sucked into conference calls, long drives, last minute projects and fire drills … so when I finally arrive at home I’d come in all sloth-like. I’d give hubby a passing “hi,” stumble my way through supper, slink into a book and head off soon for bed.

Kind of like our friend the Sloth below, moving at the speed of mud:

Not anymore.

With few exceptions, now, after work, I change into “home” workout gear (the not cute kind but no one sees so who cares kind!) – old jersey shorts, a soft tank top, sports bra and light runners (You can bounce barefoot but I have one wayward foot that pronates when I do. I call her Nancy. ). I put my hair up, set a timer, crank up the tunes …. and work my way backwards – Example:

A Kitchen timer is typically set for 45 minutes
- (When I started I could barely do 7 minutes. 45 mins is 6x that – SHAZAM!)
Before I know it the 35 minute mark comes around.
- While I’m bouncing to Barry White, Al Green or Elvis Presley, in a blink there’s just 20 minutes to go.
20 Minutes! Meh – here comes Tom Petty, The Temptations, Three Dog Night, Mandisa or The Beatles
- Soon only 7 minutes remain. …. what’s that you say?
7 minutes? Heck that’s 2 songs . .. Rock N Roll!
- Beep beep, timer chirps and I’m bouncing, sweaty, smiling and happy;
  - You’re welcome for the tour of the Olympic Stadium housing my mind games!

But, here’s the thing – those little mind games work.

Every. Single. Time.

Because rather than announcing that I’ll “get 20 minutes in” … like it’s a hill to climb on the boring old dreadmill (that I’d likely skip) instead I imagine myself at the top of the curving hill … bouncing my way on down. Yay!

Rebounding is THIS MUCH fun!

While bouncing I experience the following:

Thinking, remembering and plotting
Losing myself in a song,
Laughing to a memory,
Gnashing through a mistake
Marveling at my endurance, coordination and strength
Smiling loudly, sorting stuff out, thinking ahead
Daydreams
Epiphanies ping-ponging past me

See, it was while bouncing that I glanced at my 2018 Vision Board — the same one my Inner Lizard had harped at me to take down. I heard her biting remarks – it’s soooo stupid, nothing’s gonna change, take it down, it looks like a grade-school girl made it … etc etc etc.

Then I read it again.

And with my hair flying, my face sweaty and everything I had in full bounce, I might have cried just a little when I recognized six key words I’d cut out of a magazine last December:

FIND A WORKOUT YOU DON’T HATE

2018 Vision Board coming to life

So I ask you: is the exercise you’re doing fun? Because if you’re not having fun I’m guessing you’re not doing it. Or you won’t be doing it (whatever “it” is) much longer.

It’s time to mix it up, I double-dog dare ya! And write a “To Be” list while you’re at it