When I put word out on FB (I think I mentioned before that FB is quite different out on this thinly populated enormous island on the East Coast) that I needed a treadmill, cheap, and helpers and a truck to drive it here when I found one, the community got busy. A woman 50k away that I met once or twice, had a son living in the other direction from me who had a treadmill he'd never used, top of the line she thought, built in TV (?), and he was giving it away. Then I heard from two friends who had the means and transportation to pick it up tomorrow and cart it into my house and set it up.
All fine and dandy, right? Except my office is the worst nightmare in my house with so little uncovered floor space as to make you tiptoe in gently, or in Grandgirl's case when she was here and looking for my unused eReader, to shake her head at me and say: "Seriously, Grandma?" To the absolute astonishment of Daughter and I, she is a bit of a neat freak. Breaking the chain of generations of proud non-housekeeping women, 5 at last count.
There is only one spot for this treadmill and it's in aforesaid office. The only dump in my house. The rest of my house is pristine because of PGs so everything spare has been thrown in here. I was waiting for expiry dates on tax files, to finish sorting through old photos, 10,000 pens, pencils, markers to spontaneously combust, reference books to sort themselves and land on shelves, all my writing files (ye gads!) to bind themselves, annotate themselves and throw themselves into a lovely wood and glass cabinet purchased yonks ago for their usage.
I wouldn't let anybody at anything as, you know, valuable papers, old photos, all my sheet music since I was 6, and stuff: don't touch my stuff syndrome.
So there I was tonight. nearly in despair looking at that catchall six foot long side table that holds every piece of undealt-with crap of my life. Marking the exact and only spot where my new treadmill is going to sit.
And I put on my big girl knickers and I tackle everything on it, under it and around it. And I find Ansa's lost toys, which break my heart, and get everything out into the front hall, stacked. And resist the urge to go through old photos and letters and cards and files and my published stuff.
And I say to Grandgirl via text as she is a fount of wisdom at 22: give me a good idea to get me on the effing magic treadmill when it arrives.
And she says: audio books and podcasts and Big Rule: they can only be played when you're on the treadmill. That way you have something to look forward to.
OK Legs.
We are going to regenerate you, a la tadpole.
Sorry about all those tears.
Good for you! Music helps, too...
ReplyDeleteYe, music helps me so much, I always had music in my ears when I distance ran!
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I do hope the treadmill works out well for you. I wonder if you will have help getting a routine established? Seven or eight years ago, I got serious about weight. Took off 50 lbs. was walking an hour a day. Kept records of time, distance. Still have those! Have probably gained back the weight now, Spending all my days housebound with a suffering Old Man has destroyed my motivation. . I used a printout of suggested routines--- that provided me with some guidelines. I was fortunate; no health issues like you are facing. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI hope you catch some motivation too Rose and try to get out and walk again. It is so much more than walking as you know. It helps mentally and emotionally as well.i am hoping my will matches the challenges of my physical pain and moves me to at least a competent ambulatory status.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit I am frightened as it is life and death.
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I think grandgirl's idea is the ticket -- I don't know Big Rule (although I'm gonna look it up) but podcasts have kept me going many a time. Try Dan Carlin's Hardcore History on World War I, and Genghis Khan, and I hear he has a new one out too. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tom. She meant Big Rule for me for climbing aboard lol.
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Finding the discipline to keep at it was hardest for us after we bought a treadmill some years ago. Music helped, for a short time, but I've wondered recently if maybe trying to learn something while "walking" would occupy the mind more completely - a language perhaps, even just lists of foreign vocabulary; or poems.
ReplyDeleteAs your t/mill is in a well-used area I suspect it'll be easier to keep to a regime. Ours is in a little-used glassed-in porch, not heated or air-conditioned and too hot or too cold for around 10 months of the year. We keep saying we'll start to use it again but....
I know where you're coming from!. I had s too of the line exercise bike that had 9k on it after 5 years but was a great clothes hanger/valet as it was in my bedroom where I constantly fell over it. Proximity doesn't help obviously!
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I may have to share your treadmill. A bout of cold feet (literally, not the lack of courage kind) has my doctor sending me for tests to ascertain if the arteries in my legs are clogging up. I've never had cold feet before - in my life! Now they're like blocks of ice most of the time. But no pain in my legs, even after a four mile hike. That's got 'im puzzled. I have ring the specialist tomorrow for an appointment. It's a bugger this getting old!
ReplyDeleteMake sure it's not Renauds. My dear BFF who died had that but I hasten to add not from Renauds.
DeleteBugger this aging shyte.
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Good luck with your new exercise programme. I hope the treadmill earns its keep! Listening to audiobooks while you're treading sounds like a great idea.
ReplyDeleteAnd podcasts and music. I'm an outdoor exerciser so it's a real test of stickitivity.
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Fantastic! I hope the podcast/audio books motivator works.
ReplyDeleteYeah me too. Still struggling.
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I would have thought that a chrysalis would have been a better analogy!
ReplyDeleteAh aren't you so sweet 😉
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Please DO let us know how it goes? I hope it isn't so bad that you don't feel like blogging! I hope the treadmill was delivered and that it works for you!
ReplyDeleteUpdate to follow on Ye Olde Treadmill.
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I have no energy now. A few weeks ago I was hiking in the National Park here. The change is dramatic. So keep moving while you can.
ReplyDeleteOh Hattie I hope it returns. As Joni says "we don't know what we got till it's gone". Though I do believe you and I have never taken good health for granted.
DeleteLight and love.
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That is exactly how I use my treadmill...I only watch "my" shows on Netflix when I'm walking. Works for me. Although some of these treadmill "routines" I see crack me up...running at high speeds, at such-and-such an incline. I am quite sure I would go flying right off the back if I tried those. I walk (at a decent speed for me) and, so far, I've lost 20 pounds and feel much better.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
I know Elle having observed the treadmill calisthenics at many a gym I concur.
DeleteGood for you!
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Audio books a great idea!
ReplyDeleteHope it goes well.
Maggie x
Thank you Maggie. 😀
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This reminds me I have to clean up my place. Yeah.
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