Get Out of the House Today…

Apr 6th, 2008 | By jen | Category: Well-being

If you’re a full-time internet marketer, you may suffer from a common ailment among those of us who make our living on the internet: BBS, or Big Butt Syndrome.

When you’re not running to the copy machine or down the hall to talk to Dave the Accountant about your project budget, it’s difficult to get in the daily activity in that burns off calories. Add easy access to a fully stocked fridge and you’re likely fighting the early warning signs of BBS yourself.

At the ripe old age of 38, I’ve finally figured out that some things just don’t come easy to me. Though I was super active growing up, participating in after school sports and running through the woods with my friends, as a grown-up, I’ve become…er…lazy. Four kids, a penchant for reality TV, and a career on the internet will do that.

A few months ago, I made the decision to stop being the poster child for BBS. I started a diet, but only started adding exercise to my plan about six weeks ago. With regular trips to the gym and pushing myself out the door for hikes with my kids, I’m starting to see some results. And guess what I’m doing today?

I’m participating in a 5k! Now granted, it’s a run/walk 5k and I’m pretty sure I’ll be doing more walking than running. My only real goal is not to finish TOO far behind my 60-year old dad. But I’m doing it!

What are you doing today to battle the onset of BBS? A bike ride down to the park with your kids? A stroll along the beach with your honey? 30 minutes on the treadmill while you watch Top Chef? Share with us your plans for keeping active.

Update: I did it! The 5K was much harder than I thought it would be, but I also performed better than I thought, too. And my Dad wasn’t TOO far ahead of me ;) Tom finished at 27 minutes, Cait did it in 39, and Dad and I came in around 47. My “I’ll never achieve it” goal was 45 and my realistic goal was 52, so I’m VERY pleased.

3 comments
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  1. Melanie April 7th, 2008 7:56 am :

    5k! That’s great! I know what you mean about the Big Butt Syndrome! I’m also suffering from Big Belly Syndrome too!

    Another thing that is important to incorporate into your day is going outside. Your body needs sunlight and fresh air. It is too easy to fall into the habit of only leaving your house when you need to go somewhere. Depression and other ailments will soon follow if you don’t make an effort to get outside and do something for at least an hour a day.

    Those of us who are able to work from home are very lucky in many ways, but it is important to remember to take care of ourselves too! Otherwise - what’s the point?

  2. jen April 7th, 2008 9:24 am :

    Melanie,

    Thanks for pointing those tips out! It can really be a push sometimes to do normal things like, um…shower and get dressed when you work from home. ;)

    Thanks for reading!

    Jen

  3. Erin April 7th, 2008 3:29 pm :

    Well I have to thank both of you. I went to the fitness center today! Melanie, both Jen and I have been trying to encourage each other to “get up and get moving”. We were both athletic/active once upon a time and we’d talk about how working from home is great for many reasons except for what can happen to the bod. Oy.

    In January I made a decision to join a local fitness center and in February, Jen joined one in her area. I went quite often in Jan. and Feb. and then guess what happened? Four times in March. Ugh. But thanks to you both, I dragged myself out of the house and went today. And I’m going to try to stick with it again. Hope you do too!

    Let’s keep posting about this Jen and hopefully we can encourage others as well.

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