fit in '09

Part of my plan for making 2009 and beyond a bit better was to be more active, to incorporate physical activity into my everyday life and to make it something I enjoy as opposed to something I force myself to do. Part of what makes that hard for me is that I just do not enjoy going to the gym. Seriously, it is downright painful for me, I would much rather be outside than be stuck in a room with a bunch of sweaty meatheads making out with their biceps.

One of the contenders for outdoor activities is running, however, running has not, and probably will not, ever be something I can do long term. Bike riding is fun, but can get a tad boring, especially if I ride the same route every day. Plus, I don't like wearing spandex. Then I realized that one thing I can do is I can climb stairs like a mofo. So I decided to start climbing the Santa Monica Stairs every morning during the week.

This is one section of the stairs, there are about 3 or 4 more, for a total of 9 meeeeelion stairs. ok, it's only 150 or so steps. but it feels like more.

That plan was immediately derailed when, after my first session with “the stairs” I couldn’t walk for a week. I was literally crying out in agony every time the wind blew on my calves. I seriously overestimated my athletic ability and the stairs literally kicked my ass.

But I persevered and once my legs healed, I came back for more. I plan to continue with this for as long as it is enjoyable, because it’s a great, free workout, I get to be outside breathing in the fresh air, and seriously, staring at this:

is so much more than a bit better than staring at Biff in his muscle tee while he checks out his pecs in the mirror.