Dørstokkmila and other adventures in exercising.

Walking in the dark (and concentrating on taking this selfie!) on a Sunday night to make sure I meet my weekly goal. Last minute, as always!

What in the world, I hear you ask, is "dørstokkmila" when it's at home? Let me tell you. It's a Norwegian word, and literally means "the threshold mile (or 10 k, if we're getting technical)", and refers to the struggle it often is to get yourself across the threshold and out the door to exercise. Isn't it sometimes SO hard just to get started?

It was for me last week with my last workout. I didn't do it on Thursday night because I was too tired. I didn't do it on Friday because I was too busy. I didn't do it on Saturday because we were spending the day with family. And then by the time it was Sunday night I was ready to talk myself out of it because I was tired, and it was late and it would take too much time and blah blah blah. I just really didn't want to do it. Friends, I am just not an exerciser by nature! Is it ok to say that I just really don't like it? Can I say that? At least, I never like it until I've gotten started, and then I often enjoy exercise. And I always love it when I'm done! But convincing myself that I really want to be uncomfortable and out of breath is never easy.

Fortunately, I have a strong ally in my husband, who gently, but firmly asked me if I needed to fit in a workout before the week was over. And then turfed me out the door so I could walk the loop through our neighborhood. And baked cookies while I was gone...! So I made it by the skin of my teeth!

I've found that I do much better with things like exercise when I don't do it on my own. So last week I did yoga with a friend, and tonight I've made plans to go walking with another friend. A sweet neighbor is lending me a workout DVD for the days when I can't leave the house to exercise. It seems I really need someone to keep me accountable, but fortunately I have friends who are willing to do that in one way or another.

I feel accountable to you too, whoever you may be. A few thousand of you stop by this blog in the space of a month, and I am so glad that you are there to read whatever it is I have to say. I'm going to be reckless and promise a few non-health related posts this week too, so please come back later!

Have a good week!