1. Lae

    Lae Contributor Contributor

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    How do you deal with such a sedentary hobby

    Discussion in 'The Lounge' started by Lae, Apr 23, 2014.

    I enjoy writing and drawing, but both are sedentary hobbies. I get jittery when I don't have an outlet for my energy. Fortunately some of my other hobbies are much more active, weight lifting, cycling, riding (motorcycles not horses) etc etc

    How do you guys cope with all the sitting? Do you have sedentary jobs too? Does it change your mood if you don't get up and about?
     
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  2. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

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    I go running or go to the gym. Or yard work. I have almost 4 acres of land on a tropical mountainside. You can hear the plants growing. o_O The yard work never ends. Wanna' come over and help me push the jungle back down to the creek? Seriously. Nothing creepy. Just yard work. You'd get your own machete. :cool:

    ETA: Yes, my job is also sedentary. I translate documents for the US fed courts in Puerto Rico as an independent contractor. Done 99% of the time from home. That's why you always see me on for the forum.
     
  3. Lae

    Lae Contributor Contributor

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    @Wreybies Im in, all for the machete work aslong as I get to dress like Rambo.

    Do you find the running, gym and machete chopping is enough? Not only healthwise but mentally, I get bored easily (undesirable trait :( ) and a break from things seems to help.
     
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  4. GingerCoffee

    GingerCoffee Web Surfer Girl Contributor

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    I work out my story scenes walking my dogs in the woods behind my house or in the neighborhood if I don't get out until after dark.
     
  5. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Creativity-wise, the running is my best tool to break the doldrums of sitting there in front of the screen, uncooperative words forming mutinous insurrections without even the pretension of subterfuge. Old-school Oakenfold helps me lose myself in the run. Or sometimes Jai Utall. They both have a way of kicking in a lot of inner visuals when I'm running. That and I live in the tropics, the scenery is everything you think it is. :) I talk dialogue out as I'm running. I'm sure passersby think I'm crazy, Who cares. :rolleyes:
     
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  6. jannert

    jannert Retired Mod Supporter Contributor

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    Before retirement I had an active job that involved walking to and from work, then running up and down stairs, chasing files, bending, rummaging, etc. That was a fitness workout. Since retirement I've become a lot lazier, but I do walk at least 40 minutes every day (weather permitting) and try to do other things as well—like ride my exercise bike while watching TV on days I can't get out for the walk. However, I certainly should do more. But ...I think I'm basically lazy, and HATE doing exercise for its own sake.

    Walking is great exercise for an older person. With the right shoes, etc, it's a lot less damaging to joints than running or other forms of vigorous aerobic exercise, and it's a lot less dangerous as well. Injuring myself is not high on my bucket list, I can assure you.

    Walking is also great for stimulating the brain. Like @GingerCoffee and @Wreybies , I've discovered that scenes and dialogue often get fully formed while I'm out on my jaunt. I always carry a wee notebook and pen with me, and stop frequently to jot things down.
     
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  7. jazzabel

    jazzabel Agent Provocateur Contributor

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    I have an Australian Cattle dog, who is a very high energy dog, so he gets me up at regular intervals throughout my working day (I too work from home). I also have a beautiful huge back garden, and am growing quite a lot of vegetables, so that needs doing. I do qigong regularly, and whenever I feel a bit bleh, but have nowhere to be but my writing desk, I put on some groovy music and dance around for fifteen minutes, it really helps.
     
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  8. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    for me, writing is a serious way of life, not a hobby... so, i spend most of the day sitting at the computer, 7 days a week, 365 days a year... but i've always known writing to be a solitary pursuit and, as a writer, am perfectly happy being sedentary... to those who have often pestered me with useless advice to 'get out and walk!' my standard response is, 'i'm a writer and writers don't walk, we sit!'... ;)

    that said, in the past year, to help work off the old-age-pounds i don't feel comfy keeping, i've been spending 20 minutes a day on the exercise bike i finally caved in and bought... the 'reclining' type, naturally!
     
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  9. jannert

    jannert Retired Mod Supporter Contributor

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    Yeah, dancing around is kinda fun, when you're in the mood. For me, it's 'granny' dancing (ie Woodstock era!) and not a pretty sight, but it makes me feel good.
     
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  10. jannert

    jannert Retired Mod Supporter Contributor

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    Your fingers will be incredibly nimble and thin, though, I reckon!
     
  11. Thomas Kitchen

    Thomas Kitchen Proofreader in the Making Contributor

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    Sounds good. All you need to do is pay for my flight, yeah? :)

    Anyway, regarding your question, Lae, I'm actually very content with staying inside on the computer on some days. It really doesn't bother me, because if I didn't work at being more social, then I would be a total hermit, only going out to buy food and new DVDs. However, I do like going for a walk now and then, because I live away from the busyness of life, and so I can breath in healthy, refreshing air. I'm actively involved in my church, and I'm starting another university semester this week, so I do get out and about. But if I could, then I'd stay home a lot of the time. Is that just me? :oops:
     
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  12. bspn

    bspn New Member

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    I like to write, but it's a hobby among many others. I never thought of it as a sedentary hobby mostly because I usually do other stuff while I write.
     
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  13. KaTrian

    KaTrian A foolish little beast. Contributor

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    I get fidgety too, but usually T and I get writing done in the evening and since I've been on the move the whole day, it's actually nice to sit down and write. I bike to my second job so that makes 12km biking per day and my first job is teaching which means lots of standing. In addition to that I love to go out to run and spot hares and hedgehogs, and I groom a friend's horse so I have to go there at least once a week to take the horse out into the woods.

    Upper body tends to get a bit stiff when writing, but boxing is great for both the back and the upper body. I can't do much heavy bag nowadays because my right wrist is somehow effed up (using a computer mouse is so not good for that wrist), but luckily it can take sparring.

    But even when we've sat down to write, I tend to jump up and down every now and then 'cause my knees don't like to be bent :( In general, my body is not designed to stay put which is a bit annoying when you're on a writing binge, but the body starts to protest.
     
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  14. Lae

    Lae Contributor Contributor

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    I know a lot of writers on here tend to be erm "more experienced in life" :) so I figured the need but not necessarily the desire for exercise would increase. Good to hear so many get out and about.

    @mammamaia that's a lot of sitting! Do u find rsi a problem? My Mrs father is a piano player and head music teacher he said he's worried about rsi and arthritis. Wonder if that applies to writers?

    @Thomas Kitchen haha I know the feeling, I often find myself locked in the garage in ny own world ignoring everyone and everything. Whilst I do like the company of others, I find it a great bonus to enjoy my own company too.

    @bspn what other things do you do whilst writing? What can you do do whilst writing ??

    @KaTrian cycling is very good when you sit or stand for prolonged periods, opening up the hips and getting movement and proper blood flow to the lower limbs. Horse riding I hear from my Mrs sister is quite intensive and hard on the body/thighs and ass.

    And yup rsi is a big problem nowadays, jobs are demanding more and more.
     
  15. T.Trian

    T.Trian Overly Pompous Bastard Supporter Contributor

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    I used to sit at the computer for hours on end. A few years back @KaTrian and I could easily write 8-12 (sometimes 20+) hours straight (sans bathroom breaks) practically every day of the year, even eating while writing, but now that my back's all messed up, we've had to cut down the hours a bit or at least divide them up with some breaks inbetween.

    We do go for walks once or twice a week, but we do prefer a bit harder exercise. My mainstays are boxing (or krav maga, BJJ, or muay thai, depends on what aspect of martial arts we're currently focusing on), swimming, working out at the gym, and IPSC (which does include some running, going from standing to prone/knees and back again, plus the hands get some exercise too).

    I also do physiotherapy (core exercises, stuff that mobilizes the upper half of the spine etc) 1-2 times a day 'cause of my back problems, but that's just to keep my body in working order instead of any attempt to improve my strength / endurance or anything.
     
  16. Lae

    Lae Contributor Contributor

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    I study physiotherapy, out of curiosity what's up with your back? (If you don't mind me asking) and what exercises do you do for it.
     
  17. bspn

    bspn New Member

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    @Lae I usually walk. I like to take long walks in the middle of the night without any planned route. I get my notebook, my pen, leave the house and I start walking towards nowhere, it helps me writing. I write while I walk or sometimes I just sit somewhere and write a little bit, then move on. Other times when I'm with friends and we are talking gibberish. Ideas just occur and I write. I've never sat on a chair in front of a desk writing for instance.
     
  18. Link the Writer

    Link the Writer Flipping Out For A Good Story. Contributor

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    There's a bunch of other stuff I like to do other than writing. Gaming, surfing the net, reading, that sort of thing.
     
  19. O. Snow

    O. Snow New Member

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    I spend a lot of time weightlifting and boxing, in many ways I've found writing to be the pursuit of a faster more efficient mind, so I like to make sure I have the same goals regarding my body.
     
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  20. HarleyQ.

    HarleyQ. Just a Little Pit Bull (female)

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    With all these thoughts coursing through my head, I have barely enough energy to get up in the morning, let alone go jogging. (The fact that I live right next to the ghetto has something to do with that, too, I admit.) Writing helps get the thoughts out, which makes me feel instantly calmed. It's like all the energy is in my head, if that makes sense.
     
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  21. Yoshiko

    Yoshiko Contributor Contributor

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    Treadmill and walks. I live on the coast and it only takes me ten minutes to get to the water. If I've spent all day at the computer then I'll usually take a walk down there around sunset. It's quiet too, so it's a nice place to think. I've only ever seen other people there twice.
     
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  22. T.Trian

    T.Trian Overly Pompous Bastard Supporter Contributor

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    I don't mind; it's not a secret or anything. The IV & V spinal discs are degenerated and there's a spinal disc herniation between them. There's two, actually, but one is retracted, or was back in 2012 when they took the previous MRI and back then at least neither compressed any nerves (knock on wood). I've had this problem for about 7 or so years.

    My physiatrist is also suspecting ankylosing spondylitis (afaik kinda like arthritis of the spine), but I'll get the results of last week's MRI next Monday, so that's when I'll know more. She's suspecting this because since January I've had lots of pains in the upper half of the spine / around it (and the muscles of the middle and upper back are all jammed up) and in the chest, around the sternum, especially in the mornings (apparently common with AS). I also got other tell-tales, but we'll see.

    Anyway, my physiotherapist gave me a specific regimen of exercises to help with the degenerated discs to strengthen the core muscles to help support the back 'cause the degenerated discs can't handle the pressure on their own. Most of it's stuff like standing very straight, chest jutting out, and extending both hands straight forward, holding a 5kg weight (the goal is not to lean forward or back, just to stand still to activate the core muscles), balance exercises and such (like being in a static push-up position and lifting one hand without leaning in any direction), as well as things like the ab wheel, the plank, and swimming (to stretch out the spine to release tension between the discs), which suits me 'cause I've always been a swimmer at heart.

    She also came up with a separate set of mobilizing exercises for the assumed AS, things like standing against a wall, holding a straight stick (or some such) against your back so it goes from your coccyx to your neck, and you start bending forward, but stop and start over again as soon as you feel different parts of your spine touch the stick (i.e. notice when the back starts to hunch). It's kinda hard to explain, but the goal, I guess, is trying to keep the back straight. I also do stuff like stretching the chest, rolling the shoulders etc. but a lot of it's replaced by other things, like freestyle in the pool and whatever exercises we do at the boxing gym 'cause those also help mobilize the back / chest area.

    Sorry, can't be more specific 'cause I don't know the names of the exercises. :oops:
     
  23. KaTrian

    KaTrian A foolish little beast. Contributor

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    Nowdays I don't ride nearly as much as I used to. For one, I groom a dressage horse, so the most I can do with her is to walk in the park, which is fun, but just sitting in the saddle is pretty lazy. So I rope her and walk her like a dog :D A big dog... who's afraid of bicyclists...

    I watched a documentary some time ago about the effects of riding, especially with the saddle and bridle, on the horse's back. It really made me think, so I did some reading on this Russian horsewhisperer who always rides his horses unbridled, and it's simply amazing. I also got this book and DVD from T, "If Horses Could Speak" about the damage dressage does to horses. Consequently, my enthusiasm to horseback-ride has waned considerably. But yeah, riding is really tough when you do it seriously, and so is barn work. There was a time I basically lived at the stables. Turns out being an awkward teenager who smells of horse manure is just the perfect boy deterrent o_O
     
  24. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    jannert...
    my fingers didn't suffer the fattening fate my midsection did, thank goodness... and yes, they've become quite nimble...

    don't know what 'rsi' is, but i doubt i have it, or i'd know what it was, right?

    my mother suffered from arthritis, but so far [at going on 76] i've been spared... i did have carpal tunnel syndrome pain that stopped me in my tracks for a while, as even with braces on both wrists, it was too hard/painful to type, but i was able to cure myself of it with a weird sort of biofeedback [and yes, it was the real thing, 'cause i had tests done by a neurologits, with needles stuck in the nerves proving the diagnosis]... that was close to 20 years ago and since then, i've only had one problem with the right hand, that was solved by switching to a vertical mouse... i highly recommend getting one, for any who use an actual mouse instead of a pad [which i find impossibly awkward]...

    i keep my fingers/hands/arms/shoulders working by stretching and shaking it all out now and then, while sitting at the computer and when taking a break to fix a meal, or whatever...
     
  25. Lae

    Lae Contributor Contributor

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    No problem, thanks for the info, i like to hear from the client or patient side. I know DDD can be a tricky one, hard to diagnose because of the broad spectrum of symptoms. I think most lower back pain in the slightly older folk nowdays is some from of DDD, im also interested in the effect it has on day to day life, something i'd have to consider. I see so many people with bad posture these days, and i cringe when they lift stuff way too heavy or use very poor form...i'm always amazed when i see gym monkeys lifting stuff in the most screwed up way imaginable.

    What sort of damage does it do? i would have thought the extra padding etc would have helped!

    Ha i'm sure you pulled off the horse manure fragrance admirably.

    I have to honest about the dressage thing, when i first see it done...i had the biggest "what the #@$£'?" face. i really dont get it, at all. Oh and be thankful your "big dog" doesnt run after everything that moves! although that would be fun to watch.

    RSI is repetitive strain injury, a lot of typists get it, computer users as well. It's pretty much doing anything repetitive that causes injury, vibrations (roadworks) drills etc can cause it, holding awkward positions and stuff like that. It can be anything from a inflammation to something more serious, some people actually dont know they have it, they just consider their pains as just an ache

    Most of the time anti infalm drugs will do the trick but it can require surgery. Common injuries are things like tendinitis, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome.
     

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