Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Exercise and reading

Camy here. I know, you’re looking at the post title and thinking, “Waaaaaaaaaah?”

But I confess, I read while I’m on the exercise bike all the time. Or I’ll go for a walk with an audiobook on my iPod.

There are some people who say that if you can read while on the exercise bike, you’re not working hard enough. They say that you shouldn’t be able to read while doing exercise.

But I say, phooey on them! Sometimes, the only way I can motivate myself to get on the exercise bike is with the promise of reading a good book!

And let’s face it—a moderate speed on the exercise bike is better than nuthin’! And reading while on the bike makes me feel like I both exercised and pampered myself with some reading time. Win-win, right?

So for all those who say you have to be heaving and sweating on the bike, I turn a deaf ear. And dig back into the latest Love Inspired Suspense novel. LOL

Sweat would stain my pages. Can’t have that.

Do you “trick” yourself into exercising? Or are there ways you can “trick” yourself into getting moving?

Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. Her novel Single Sashimi is out now, and her Love Inspired Suspense novel, Deadly Intent, releases in July this year. She runs the Story Sensei critique service. In her spare time, she is a staff worker for her church youth group, and she leads one of the worship teams for Sunday service. On her blog, she gives away Christian novels every Monday and Thursday, and she ponders frivolous things. Sign up for her newsletter YahooGroup for monthly giveways!

13 comments:

Camy Tang said...

Even if you don't have any experiences exercising and reading, do you have any good book and/or audiobook recommendations for me?
Camy

Scraproni: Adventures of Single Woman said...

When going to a supermarket I usually try and park in a spot which is a little away from the shop which means I have a short 5 minute walk which tricks my body into exercising. I've gone to the gym with a good book and exercise on the treadmill with it adn also when doing leg exercises I place it on my lap and get lost in the book and the burn of my muscles means I stop. Which as you said is a reward for doing the exercise :)

Scraproni: Adventures of Single Woman said...

Oh by the way thanks for the book and the lovely surprise of the sushi series book marks.

Anonymous said...

OH yeah. I have to have music. My ipod is permanently attached to my ear, I think.

Rockin' songs to keep me motivated. I used to actually read books, hard copy books, when I was doing gym workouts on the stair master and stuff, too. IT didn't seem bad when I had a good book to read. Went fast!

:-)

Jaime Wright said...

YEAH!! I'm not the only one!! I read on my bike ALL the time (and still work up a sweat) :)

I'm a Colleen Coble junkie (but you've probably read her stuff)! Other than that, I've also been thrilled with the Noble Legacy Series by Susan May Warren.

Unknown said...

I just listened to the audio version of The Secret Life of Bees. It was supposed to be for only when I exercise (that way I'm dying to get back to the story, and thus have to exercise) however, I broke my own rule and ended up listening to it during car rides or while doing household chores. But, normally, it works for me. Sometimes when I walk by certain blocks I can remember a particular part of a book I listened to at that spot, because the story was so good.

So, my recommendation is to choose an audiobook that is really good and reserve it only for when you're exercising.

LuAnn said...

I always read when I'm riding my exercise bike. Otherwise, I tend to watch the clock and get impatient to be done. If I'm reading, I actually stay on there longer than I plan rather than put the book down in the middle of a page or chapter!

apple blossom said...

I totally agree. Read and exercise makes the task less drab and monotonous. I do it daily.

Unknown said...

Sadly it's been awhile since I've been on a treadmill, but when I did walk on one I could read while walking too. Nothing like a good story to take my mind off of the fact that I'm exercising.

Cheryl Wyatt said...

Camy, these are GREAT ideas!

Hugs

Cheryl

Avily Jerome said...

I need to get some audio books--that would solve a lot of problems! I don't have an exercise bike, I have an elliptical machine that has no room for a book, and no way to turn pages since it requires holding handles.

But I bet I'd exercise longer if I waited till the end of a chapter, say, to get off.... :)

Jessica Nelson said...

Camy,
I got plenty of exercise while reading! LOL
I always, always had a book with me when I went to the gym. You're not alone! :-)

Camy Tang said...

Thanks for the recommendations, guys! Sorry I didn't respond sooner--internet access is spotty right now.
Camy