I think it’s better to be mentally focused on working out when you work out. Doing something else to distract yourself from working out reminds me of taking vocabulary courses instead of reading books. When you do that, you are missing the experience of the activity, to get to the side effect.
Of course, It is helpful to have a good vocabulary and it will probably increase your life to exercise regularly, but it is fun to read books and it is fun to be in your body. While you are here, you might as well get the full richness of life if you can.
I guess my low self-discipline in this area has turned out to be a benefit. There is no way I would force feed myself exercise while tuning my mind out. I want to get really connected with where my body is at and notice it even more. I hope you’ll try it. It is the difference between reading a great novel that you are totally absorbed in, and getting 5 vocabulary words a day to memorize.
For me, I get bored if I’m just trying to “get through” something. Enjoyable exercising for me could not include reading, watching tv or any other distraction, because enjoyable exercise for me is really getting in touch with my body.
When I first start a work out, it is hard to imagine that I will want to notice my body more, because working out is so hard that I want to transcend, not be more in, my body. However, I highly reccomend trying the “be in your body” approach. I think that is one of the MAIN benefits of exercise. NIA is one exercise that is a good way for me to enjoy being in my body, and you can start enjoying your body while doing NIA at ANY level. Running does that for me too, but it takes more fitness for me to feel good while running.
Heck YES I do everything I can to distract myself while working out– music if that’s all that’s available, but I prefer the gym where I can watch TV while on the treadmill, or movies while on the stationary bike. I WANT to miss the experience because to me, pointless exercise is punishment. I don’t WANT to “be in my body” if it’s being punished. I enjoy walking for the purpose of sightseeing, or playing some kind of game– but then, the activity is the point, not the exercise. I exercise for the same reason I go to the bathroom; because it’s necessary– but I don’t revel in either one. I do read during both, though.
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HA! :) Ah well, thanks for not being too bowled over by my exercise views. :) I guess if you can get yourself to exercise, (or go to the bathroom!), that is a good thing.
Maybe the difference is that I try not to be in pain while I work out. I have a pleasure rather than pain theory of exercise, although I just finished a 12 minute kettlebell workout that I think is going to cause me some pain tomorrow.
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I’m with you, B — I like it to be my meditation (not in a ponder-deep-meanings way, but in an empty-out-the-clutter way) and my therapy. Being present with my body, monitoring my breathing and position through the strokes and strides, purifies something in me. I love it.
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Andrea, you said exactly what I meant. It is cleansing and purifying. Reading your comment makes me want to go for a run. Thanks!
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