B is for Boredom Busters

Being bored while working out is nothing new, but with the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing around the world, it's likely that you're finding yourself even more bored than usual because of the restrictions you're living under.  So how to combat that?  Let's see if I can help.

Gym closed?  

• You can still get out and walk or run (in most areas), as long as you follow your required social distancing protocols.  

• You can modify your gym routine at home, even without expensive equipment (things like resistance bands, medicine balls, hand weights, jump rope, and of course the devil's sidewalk - the dreadmill).  I've shared some tips on this post of things you might have around the house to use as weights.  Get creative!

Monotony of the treadmill make you nuts?

• Watch TV.  I have my treadmill set up in the garage, and put a TV out there to keep me from going crazy.  I have a Roku device as well as a Hulu subscription, so there's always something to watch, even if I don't have that TV hooked up to cable.  Isn't streaming TV one of the greatest inventions ever?  

• Podcasts are my new friend, and they can be yours too.  I've looked at several different podcast services and the one I found the easiest to maneuver around is Stitcher.  You can search for topics you like and save them as favorites, and never run out of things to listen to.  I listen more when I'm walking/running outside than I do on the treadmill, but if you don't have access to a TV where your treadmill is, it's a great option.

• Listen to audio books.  Reading while on the treadmill can be a bit difficult (although I've done it!), so audio books offer a good alternative that is less likely to trip you up.  There are a number of different apps/subscriptions you can access, and your local library might even offer a good selection for you to take advantage of.  Let your mind wander with a timeless classic, or learn a new language.  The options are limitless.

Same scenery too boring?

• If walking around your neighborhood has become mundane, research what trails you can find within a short drive, or venture further out and make a day of it.  Pack a picnic lunch and tailgate if parks are closed.  Again, be sure to stay within the restrictions imposed in your area.

• It's not always about training for a race or competition, so include the family more often.  Kids can ride their bikes if you're running, or just take a family walk instead.  Make a list of appropriate things you might find where you're walking and have a scavenger hunt.  Bring chalk and leave your mark and share good tidings and encouragement to others who might come along after you.  Even better, make a hopscotch diagram to encourage others to get moving too.

Restrictions suck, but don't use the Corona virus pandemic as an excuse to be lazy.  Being active is even more important for your mental health now.  Get up and get moving!

~ Marie Anne

Treadmill Motivation, Movie Review of Turtles & Hares

I've still been walking outside most mornings, but will sometimes jump on the treadmill for a second walk (or slow trot) later in the day.  I didn't think that having the TV in the garage would make that much of a difference in my activity level since the treadmill is boring and I prefer to be outside, but surprisingly, it's turning out to be a very good incentive.

Normally when I watch TV in the living room, I have to be doing something else at the same time ... crocheting, working crossword puzzles - something. I don't know how to not multi-task.  While the post-concussion symptoms are getting somewhat better, I still can't crochet for more than a couple of minutes at a time, and when working a crossword puzzle, moving my eyes back and forth from the page with the clues to the puzzle itself is especially hurtful and sends me into a tailspin.  Since I can't do much of that, walking while watching a movie is a good alternative.

I mentioned before that I've been adding movies to my watch list so I'll always have something at the ready when I climb aboard the 'mill.  My pick for the other day was Turtles & Hares, free to watch on Amazon Prime Video. It wasn't a very long movie, just under an hour, so was perfect to get 3 miles or so in at a walk.

Turtles & Hares is about Team Carrie, a group of people in Ireland who are training for the Dublin Marathon.  Coached by David Carrie, this little town of less than 2,000 residents now has almost half that amount who have completed the full 26.2 miles over the last couple of years.  What an incredible feat!

It's not a Hollywood blockbuster for sure, but for a basic documentary that chronicles the weeks of training to get complete non-running men and women of all ages across the finish line of a marathon, I'll give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars.  The Irish Brogues can be a bit challenging to understand sometimes over the noise of the treadmill, but it wasn't difficult to follow along.  I probably wouldn't watch it again, but it filled up an hour's time for a second workout where I didn't want to commit to a full-length movie so it served its purpose.

Do you have a favorite movie or show you like to watch while on the treadmill?  Please share!

~ Marie Anne

So far today:

6.34 mi hike w/Team RWB friend at semi-local state park

Challenge tallies to date:

Taji 100:  42.82 miles
RTY2020 dedicated activity:  146.7 miles
RTY2020 total steps:  274.12 miles
Amerithon:  274.12 miles

Yesterday's Fitbit stats:

15,182 steps
6.79 miles

Taji 100, Local Support, New Boredom Breaker While Walking

I've signed up for several virtual challenges lately, and the one near and dear to me is the Taji 100.  Army Captain Carole DiPardo started it in 2010, challenging troops in Iraq to run 100 miles during the month of February.  That challenge continues today, and it's open to everyone.

I can't run right now, but did sign up to get my 100 miles this month by walking, or crawling if I have to (given my penchant for injuries anymore, that's not outside of the realm of possibility!).  As of the end of the day today, February 5, I have logged over 27 miles, so I'm on track to get my 100 miles and then some (barring injury).  I'm only counting dedicated walking miles, nor all of my steps, as with other challenges.

Yesterday I walked a full 10K (6.2 miles), and today I started out with 4 miles.  There was a slight mist in the air, but not enough to get me wet, which was a good thing because I hadn't grabbed any rain gear before venturing out.  About 2 miles or so in, a car passing me in the same direction slowed down, and a woman rolled down her window and hollered at me to 'keep it up!'.  It was misting just enough for windshield wipers on a low delay setting, so she was likely encouraging me for being out there in less than perfect weather.  The big smile on her face and thumb's up made my day, and who knows, maybe it'll encourage her to get out and do something good for herself too.

I often listen to music or sermons while out and about, but I've decided not to take my headphones with me all the time, and just pay attention to what's out there.  I have very good hearing, and I realized the other day that the light tinkling sound I sometimes hear when out walking is the same sound as my Ring doorbell security device.  My new boredom breaker is to keep an eye out for Ring doorbells and when I spot one, turn towards it with a smile and a wave.  Maybe I'll make someone else's day.

Not long after I got home, my new TV was delivered.  I had taken advantage of the pre-Super Bowl sales and bought a new one so that my old one could go in the garage where my treadmill is.  After I had everything set up, I decided to hit the 'mill and walk for a bit, and ended up with an additional 3.35 miles while watching a short movie.  Oh, that's another thing ... I'm looking for motivational movies or instructional videos that have to do with walking/running/fitness in general, and will be reviewing those here also.  I'll make another short post later about the movie I watched today.  If you have any favorites, please let me know in the comments.

More to follow soon, so make sure to like my Facebook page so you'll see updates (Staying Fit in My 60s), and subscribe to this blog so that you don't miss anything.

 ~ Marie Anne

Challenge tallies to date:

Taji 100:  27.81 miles
RTY2020 dedicated activity:  210.68 miles
RTY2020 total steps:  251.53 miles
Amerithon:  251.53 miles

Today's Fitbit stats:

22,401 steps
10.42 miles