This is my 1,000th post, so I felt I should make an important public service announcement. This is for all authors that spend a lot of time sitting in front of a computer and churning out their books. Well, it really goes for anyone who spends most of their time sitting down, such as in an office job. This is a really important part of writing:
MOVE!
Seriously. Dance, walk, run, bike, stretch, spin in a circle, jump rope, or do any number of things. Yes, this comes from my back being a source of extreme pain last week. I learned this the hard way. You really need to get up and move to make sure you don’t cause some harm to your body. You need that body to protect your mind and get your words on the page. So, you need to treat it well or at least not abuse it too much. Have limited time? Then take 5 minutes to stretch. It really is as simple as that.
People might think I’m joking here, but the truth is that being an author is a sedentary career path. Ever try to write while using a Norditrack? It isn’t possible or smart. So, you really run the risk of hurting your back and gaining weight. Your physical conditioning might not be as important as it would be to a musician, actor, model, or anyone that has to perform in public. Yet, you do need to be healthy because being unhealthy can really cut into your writing time.
Here are some tips to help you be a healthier author:
- Make sure you have a comfortable chair or back brace if you spend most of your day sitting. I learned this the hard way.
- If you can walk to a place in 10 minutes then do it. Walk there, do your errand, and walk back. Use it as a break for lunch or something like that.
- As stated above, stretch for a few minutes every so often.
- When troubled by an idea, pace and move around while thinking.
- Develop an exercise schedule even if it’s only 30 minutes a day. This will help you with the weight gain.
- Portion control if you’re going to be sitting down all day. This can be easily done if you are drawn into your world and forget to eat. Don’t do a sudden gorge because this can lead to a food coma.
- Draw the shades, put on some music, and dance like an idiot after an hour of work. Doesn’t have to be good work.
- Take time to chase your kid around. If you don’t have a kid, use a pet or find a squirrel in the backyard. Lacking any of that, imaginary friends can come in handy here.
- Don’t slouch.
- Feeling lazy? Go outside and lie down in the grass or read a book. It might not be motion, but you’ll relax
There you have it. My 1,000th post. Bet you thought it was going to be on the chaos of last night. I was tempted, but I wanted some humor. Now, back to my regularly unscheduled program.
Legends of Windemere 
Excellent 1,000th post 🙂
This is why I have my paper route. Gathering an army of squirrels was quite the workout as well!
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How do you retain their loyalty?
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That was a tough one. Their attention span is short.
So I sculpted a likeness of myself out of branches that came off the tree that was cut down. It is me with a wand, commanding them to follow. The tricky part was to get two of the sticks to rub together in such a way that they squeak, much like the squirrels themselves do. The message is, “Your home is at stake!” So far it seems to be working well. As long as the Nemesis doesn’t discover it and put it in the wood chopper, we’re good.
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They shall meet the wrath of a squirrel scorned if they try.
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Easy, she’s nuts.
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Reblogged this on readful things blog and commented:
A smart warning! (And 1000th post)
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Good advice, Charles. I have a bulging disc so I literally feel your pain. I hurt mine while working out (got a little too Gung-ho with Crossfit). The key to preventing back issues is just like you said: stretch regularly (I was so bad about that) and strengthen your core. I do the P90X ab routine. I haven’t had any issues with my back since December {crosses fingers}. Glad your back is feeling better 🙂
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I use a back cushion now. It’s been more of a muscle lock issue than the spine. So far, I’m doing much better.
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Good advice and congrats on the 1000. I think I have them all saved. (no wonder my computer runs so slowly)
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Thanks. Now I can sleep. Goodnight, everybody!
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Good advice. And something else that is important, exercise your eyes! Every so often, look away from the computer to the sky or trees outside your window or the corner of the room if you have no windows. Then refocus at a closer point without moving your head. Do a few times. Also, I found this video for some more eye exercises: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W10j2fL0hy0
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Good point. Never thought of that. My eyes wander off all the time even when I’m typing, so I didn’t think of that. Thanks.
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Mine often turn in instead of out.
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I work near a window where birds and squirrels are running around in the morning and afternoon. On some days, I have a mop-haired toddler dancing in the window trying to get my attention.
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Very good advice. I still strong coffee to keep me alive and strong. Thank you.
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Never got into coffee. Use it in an emergency, but that’s more psychosomatic for me.
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Congrats on your 1000th Post! Nice few tips you put up there. I loved the one about pacing about when you have an idea brewing…I do it often!
Waiting for the 1111th post… 🙂
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I’ll probably not realize that one shows up. Lucky I noticed this one. 😀
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Yes…lucky you! 😀 (You could always have said…this is my 1001th post or this is my 1010th post…) It just looks better and better!
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Good point, but it wouldn’t have the same ring to it. 😀
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LoL…I guess you are right! 😀
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Great advice! I move quite often, getting to university and hitting the gym every now and then. I like to think I’ve got the health part under control. But what I’ve found is that sitting for too long gets me so DISTRACTED. I squirm, I slump, I play with my hair, I spend five minutes rearranging my feet. To solve this, I move – my fingers, that is. Click, goes the mouse and before you know it, half an hour was eaten by youtube. Lesson learned: I will move more. Anything but the fingers.
Thanks for sharing!
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I do that too, but I get sucked into blogging. I try to continue getting some work done by reading over what I wrote while I shift.
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Wow. I can’t imagine 1000. That’s a lot of words. Congrats, Charles.
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Thanks. I’m sure you’ll get there soon enough.
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Only another 830 or so to go!
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I’ll get the cheerleaders ready.
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They might suffer rigor mortis while they’re waiting.
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Robotic cheerleaders it is. What could go wrong?
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Rust and corrosion. As for the robots they’ll be superseded before the year’s out.
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Congrats on your 1000th post. And here’s to another 1000, and lots of crazy dancing with squirrels.
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Thanks. Squirrel dancing is definitely in the future for today.
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Good advice. I’m planning to build a standing desk to write while balancing myself on a wobble board. I’ve heard it’s very beneficial, both physically and, uh, creatively. I also often read while doing #4. I also do #8 for fun, although if you’re not careful and disciplined, it can drag on. 🙂
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I’ve found that #8 tends to run long no matter what. Eventually, you’re no longer the one who decides when playtime ends. The alternative is to try and write with a toddler throwing a beach ball at you or climbing on your back.
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Hilarious – had a good giggle but a very well timed message indeed. I was thinking today that I am now back in the jaws of sedentary land (although I can’t blame any weight gain solely on that!). At the moment I have to walk 10 mins to and from work and then my work is relatively physical so I think I am doing OK on the ‘moving’ front – my problem is most definitely the portion control and trying not to snack because I am sat staring at the screen. I have a treadmill in the garage, am contemplating getting hubby to dig it out from underneath all the boxes that currently reside on it and building your 30 mins recommendation into my writing day. You never know, you could have just inspired a whole new generation of super slim authors…! (Now, where did I put that chocolate…)
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Even without portion control, you can get away with eating healthier. Yogurt, fruits, veggies, and nuts can help. (I really need to do my biking this morning.)
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I know all this…. I just struggle to convince myself that an apple tastes as good as a chunk of chocolate.. ho hum!
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I love apples. Dark chocolate is healthier than regular chocolate.
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So, kids, this is now the way to convince your parents to get you a puppy! Or some squirrels. Because they’re good for you. Congratulations on 1000, keep it up!
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Thanks. Maybe a ferret or a rabbit would work too for this.
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Charles, I have to say, you are absolutely correct. I am no stranger to chronic pain, and I do what you mention almost daily. The past few days have been immensely difficult but I wanted to mention to you that I did purchase your book The Legends of Windemere: Beginning of a Hero the other night after reading a wonderfully whimsical review on a fellow bloggers site. I haven’t had the opportunity to finish it yet, but it is one of the ONLY things that has brought a smile to my face these past couple of days and that says a lot. That’s how much I love this story. Just wanted you to know. 🙂
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Thanks. I’m happy that my story brought a smile to your face. That’s one of my main goals. I hope your pain goes away soon.
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Oh, and congratulations on your 1,000th post!!!
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Very good advice from someone who’s written 1,000 posts (among many other things)! It is much too easy to forget to move and to eat when you’re engrossed in writing.
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Yup . . . speaking of eating, be right back. 😛
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yoga stretches are good, too. I do those at work sometimes after being trapped in a cubicle for an excessive period of time. I don’t get down on the floor or anything but I at least get a good core stretch. 🙂
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My wife does yoga and tried to teach me a few stretches. She gave up when she realized I’m bendier than she is and she’s a trained yoga instructor. Drives her nuts when I’m laying there like a contorted mannequin. 😀
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Lol! Contorted mannequin – that’s a lovely mental image. That’s awesome that she’s an instructor. I wish I had one of those on hand. 🙂
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She hasn’t taught in years because of the saturated market.
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What a milestone, Charles! Congratulations! And, um, you’re right. Instead of driving to the bank as I did, I could have walked. 😀
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I used to walk to the grocery store all the time. Then they closed it up, so I have to walk to another one that has a lot more main roads.
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Great advice!
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Congratulations on your 1,000th post! Gotta agree with your advice. I try to jog at least once a week, and while I don’t do it as vigorously as I should, it normally helps me think and it does prevent me from, y’know, getting really unhealthy. So, some stalwart advice there. Congrats, again.
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Thanks. I salute your ability to job. I’ve never been able to do it.
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Excellent advice.
And congrats on 1,000 Charles.
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Thanks. 😀
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great reminders and congrats on the 1000, you are a rock star! beth
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Thanks. Nice to meet you.
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A definite YES to this! We all need to occasionally get off our fat —es. I exercise three days a week at Senior Circuit here in Hood River and have one to two hours a day out in the garden or yard with hoeing, cutting down my beetle infected Ponderosa Pines and fixing up the chicken house in case I ever need to move in (the doghouse is too small!). So keep at that Nordic Trak or other leg mover for some good health. Also think about putting your writing upstairs and your coffee downstairs. You’d be surprised at the correlation of stairs to longevity!
Thanks Ionia!>)
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I use an exercise bike these days. 12 miles every morning and I’m slowly trying to work my way to 15 miles. I started at 10, so this is progress.
I cut out caffeine, but I keep a candy stash upstairs and wander up there from where I’m writing if I have a yen for it. Doesn’t happen as often as it used to. These days I’ll snag some fruit or a yogurt. I should really take more stairs though.
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Happy Birthday, Charles! 🙂 Great post, too. You know, I know some call centers I used to work at that could use this advice.
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Office workers definitely need to do stuff like this. I remember reading articles that said jobs where you sit all day make you 3 times more likely to have a heart attack.
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Reblogged this on The Arkside of Thought | Poetry, Politics, Philosophy, Life and commented:
Some not some bad advice from Charles!
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Wonderful advice! I try to do all these things. I have this awful habit of sitting cross legged in my chair when I’m writing. I’m sure it’s not good for my knees, but it helps my back. I need to remember to do the 5 minute stretch. I exercise almost every day…so I’m good there 🙂
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I sprawl and do the cross-legged sitting. I didn’t know cross-legged was bad.
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Supposedly, it’s hard on your knees. But it makes my back feel so much better that I don’t care! 🙂
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I cracked up at #8 because all I could think of was chasing Pharun (he doubles as imaginary friend and child) around the yard in his five inch heels.
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I now have this disturbing image of Pharun running around a playground in heels. Does he prefer the slide or the swings?
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Congrats and thanks Charles.
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Excellent advice and a great 1,000th post. 🙂
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Thanks. Now I just have to follow it more diligently.
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THANK YOU, this was a very cool and important reminder!!!
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Yay! Congrats to you and seriously – that is great advice. I think about it all the time, but moving is something I have to make a conscious effort to do now. It wasn’t always that way. Great 1000th! Here’s to the next 1000. Cheers.
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Thanks. I should hit that in another 5 months. 😛
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Congratulation for your post-day! And thanks for the tips,they sounds useful!Mhhh chasing the kid around…good good!
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Congrats on your 1k post and helpful information as usual. Today I feel like a limp rag but when I’m over this cold I tend to get my exercise in the garden. Write on Charles!
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Good luck feeling better. Hope it passes quickly.
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