Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Writer Wednesday: Mixing Exercise with Creativity

When I posted that I've been walking while editing, I had no idea it would get such a reaction from people. To clarify, yes, I'm walking on the treadmill WHILE editing on my laptop. My laptop sits all nice and cozy in the magazine holder on my treadmill. I set my speed at 3.2, which is a nice pace for a walk. Not slow, but not power walking.

Now, I know some of you are wondering how I'm doing this since I fully admit to being accident-prone. To be honest, it's not difficult. Typing keeps me in the perfect position on the treadmill so I can't accidentally trip myself and fall, scraping up both knees so bad I have scars. Not that I've ever done that or that my knees are now covered in purple scars. ;)

But seriously, walking while working (either editing or writing) keeps me focused and feeling creative. You know how when writer's block hits and you feel compelled to step away and take a nice long walk to clear your head? Well, I'm essentially clearing my head while continuing to work! And you know how exercise gets your brain working, which makes you feel more creative? See where I'm going with this? It's amazing. I feel so refreshed and focused when I walk while editing or writing.

So I encourage you to try it if you have a treadmill handy. But please do be careful.

*If you have a question you'd like me to answer from the other side of the editor's desk, feel free to leave it in the comments and I'll schedule it for a future post.

18 comments:

  1. Good for you! I want to get a treadmill one day. Question: What do you think of co-author projects and have you ever or will ever do one?

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    1. Great question. I'll tackle that next Wednesday. :)

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  2. You make me wish I had a treadmill. Accomplishing two goals at once is a good idea.

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  3. I've used stationary bikes, but never a treadmill.

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  4. I used to do this while using the elliptical, using a netbook. Smaller, lighter. I miss those days. The pumping blood really did get the brain moving. It was hard to keep the kids detained while working though.

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  5. Wow, that is so something I could never do. Great idea, but I don't know how I could read with sweat pouring in my eyes. :)

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    1. LOL Now if I were running, I'd agree. But walking is easy for me, so it's not a problem.

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  6. I've recently started walking several times a week, and love what it does for me head-wise. It does blow out the cobwebs!

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    1. My husband just asked me how I can focus while walking. I was like, "It's walking that's keeping me so focused!" It really does wonders for your head.

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  7. Thank you so much for explaining this. I was so curious. I think the pace you are walking at sounds good and it is obviously working for you. Sounds like a good plan!
    ~Jess

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  8. That's a fine workout both physically and mentally. Nowadays, I ride the stationary bike and read on my tablet. Otherwise, it's still swimming (I can clear my head while doing this).

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    1. I wish I could ride a bike, but it kills my knees.

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  9. I don't have a treadmill by I try to walk everyday. It helps that I have a dog. I take her out. I don't know how I'm going to get my long walks in when it gets cold.

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