I am a self-confessed queen of exercise excuses. Not the kind of excuse that leads me to exercise but rather the sort that explains away, or rationalizes, why I didn’t exercise today. Or this week. And even this month. I know ALL the reasons why I should exercise, and so do you. In fact when I do make the effort I half enjoy it. But that is when I don’t really know I am exercising, like when I’m at a party and dancing, weeding the garden, walking around the city, or running from T-Rex in a dream. Then, I admit, I feel great. All those little endorphins are surging through my body, my spirits are lifted and I sleep really well. What’s not to like about exercise? And why then don’t I exercise more often?
Fair question. I don’t like to work out just so I can look buff in in a bikini. The repetitive routines leave me feeling like a hamster treading on a wheel to nowhere. Only, unlike the hamster, I know I’m going nowhere and I’m bored. 
I’ve tried listening to music or a book to distract me. I’ve even played Xbox 360 Kinect, and joined classes with a buddy for accountability. But I cannot stick with it. Apparently what I like is “functional” exercise. It’s exercise that engages my body in activity that is all about real-life use. It serves a purpose. And in turn, I’m not aware of actually exercising. I just need to find more ways to engage in this kind of movement on a regular basis. Unfortunately our modern lives do not offer enough of these opportunities.
This reminds me of a PBS series I watched several years ago. It was called “Frontier House.” The modern day families that signed on to the show were thrust back in time to live like homesteaders. All modern conveniences were stripped from their lives and they had to survive by working the land. It was fascinating and educational. They had to clear the land and build their own home, plough and plant farmland, plan out food supplies and cook from scratch, walk or ride a horse to a town, a day away from home, just for supplies, and build enough food and firewood inventory to last them through a harsh winter. It was a workout just watching what their lives were like.
The reason I mention it is because many of the people who participated were overweight when the show began. Their modern lives were sedentary and they were disconnected from the land and food. By the end of the show though everyone had lost a lot of weight, they were fit and toned, and they ate better overall. While their very survival was their motivation to keep going, it just goes to show that sometimes finding the right motivation is what one needs to engage in physical activity. Just don’t call it exercise.
So what might motivate me so I can not consciously exercise? While my survival does not depend on personal sweat equity I can become mindful of my personal footprint on the earth and make some changes in my routine. For example I can plant and tend my own small garden. 
Rather than drive to the market in my car it’s much better for me, and the environment if walk, or bike, the 2 miles. And given the chance I’m happy paddling around in a kayak, getting in touch with nature, and the past. But more about that, tomorrow.
On A Food Odyssey 