Sunday, January 5, 2014

So this whole New Year's Intentions thing...

I think the way that is most likely to make a difference is to just elaborate on things you are do anyway so you have the momentum already going. For the past two years I've been doing the Goodreads book challenge. In 2012 I set my goal at 36 books and in 2013 at 48.  I met both of those goals so this year I challenged myself to 50. For avid readers this might not sound like a lot, but remember that I'm maintaining a household on my own, have a couple of kids, running a business and date. So 50 it is for this year. Every year I tend to start books during the holidays, but I count for the year any book I finish in that year. I have finished up these two. I really enjoyed "My Stroke of Insight." Then there was "The Hand: How Its Use Shapes the Brain, Language, and Human Culture."  It was dreadful, and I so wanted to like it. The author said everything in the most convoluted way possible and made even interesting ideas deadly dull. 311 pages of mind-numbing droning.  If I were cornered by this guy at a party, I'd shoot myself.
Each book gets logged on the website so you can track your progress. I've moved on to "Hush," a novel about childhood sexual abuse within a New York Chassidic community. I had a hard time putting it down last night.
But I had to because I had this waiting for me in the morning. The friend I hiked with on New Year's Day had told me she had downloaded an app called "The 7 Minute Workout." Well, who can't spare seven minutes? I came home and found three free versions, and tried the first of them. They all seem to have the same exercises in the same order. You do a specific exercise for 30 seconds and then you "rest" (get in position for the next exercise) for 10 seconds. It seemed doable - so I decided I'd do it first thing every morning and, if it was a low exercise day, again in the evening. But yikes - the next morning I was already sore! Still, every morning I roll out of bed, put on pajama pants and a sports bra and start the app. But I'm not always graceful about it - the app says, "Side planks.  Start." And I say, "Noooo!" even as I start my side planks.
I switched over to the third of the free apps because it uses a real voice instead of a robot voice, it counts down the seconds for you, and at the end is encouraging. I like that. Even though it doesn't split the side planks into two fifteen second sessions but makes you do each side for 30 seconds. Every day, I've done the app twice in the day. I'm sore all over, but at least I'm told I rock. The middle of the three apps included push notifications that I did not authorize. I was sitting on the couch peacefully reading and suddenly there was a high pitched alarm and a question: "Screeeeeee! Do you have seven minutes to exercise?" No. No, I don't. I'm reading. But I do have seven seconds to delete you, you pushy little freak. I do pretty well with encouragement and accountability, but I don't like being bossed around.

31 comments:

  1. "In 2012 I set my goal at 36 books and in 2013 at 48. I met both of those goals so this year I challenged myself to 50."

    I think that's pretty amazing myself, 36, 48, 50. I can't even remember the last time a read a complete book. Oh wait, yes I do, it was last year when I purchased that photography book I mentioned on my blog.

    I had to giggle at your last paragraph and "push notification" included in the apps.

    "I'm reading. But I do have seven seconds to delete you, you pushy little freak."

    HA! I would have said the same thing!

    X

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    1. I used to read all the time when I was in high school and college, often polishing off a book every night. I just don't have that kind of time anymore.

      I always say no to push notifications, but this app didn't even give me an option. No way.

      Delete
  2. hahaha yeah i dont need another boss...but i need to check out this app...hmmm...not a bad kinda sore either...

    that one booy sounds like torture...

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    1. I really like the app, and yes, it's a good kind of sore.

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  3. You are so productive. I definitely have to change my ways and get off of this computer and read! I only read a few books each year and that is usually on vacation. Also I love your motivation for exercise. I am eating right but I never move. Send me some of your mojo...............

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    1. The more regularly I exercise, the more I'm inclined to keep exercising. It just makes me feel good.

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  4. Five years ago, fifty would have seemed trivial to me. Now, I doubt I'd make it. The difference? The internet.

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    1. The internet can indeed be a time suck. But also my life is just way busier than it used to be.

      Delete
    2. As long as I've known you, your life has been pretty busy.

      Delete
  5. For reasons unclear I've gone back to the 'classics' the past couple years. I read every day from around 11 to 1, then it's the inevitable nap. Fielding's Tom Jones, currently occupies that time. Forester's Passage to India took me nearly a month.

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    1. I'll re-read a book every once in a while, but mostly I'm more interested in reading new things.

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  6. So, I shouldn't start this comment with: "Do you have 7 seconds to read this?"

    I think 50 books is a fantastic goal. I laugh when others flaunt their large reading totals. I am not trying to sprint from book to book, but enjoy a read while, like you, juggling other responsibilities.

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    1. You could, but you do so at your own peril! :-)

      And most of the time, the other reponsiibilities come first.

      Delete
  7. Books (traditional type made from dead trees) don't talk back or interrupt you. That's many more than I read in a year.

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    1. Ebooks, too. I guess audiobooks would talk back at you.

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  8. WTG for reaching your goals in years past and setting the bar higher this year! A book a week (ish). That's pretty good to achieve with everything else on your plate too! I make it a point to check out 5 books from the library and try to read them in 3 weeks; I usually end up having to renew them at the end of the 3 weeks for another 3 weeks which by the end of that time all are read.

    Interesting workout stuff; might have to look into that as long as it doesn't harrass me to do it on their schedule rather than my schedule.

    betty

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    1. I keep meaning to get to the library but I have so many books here I want to read that I never do.

      The first and second of the free apps don't have push notifications.

      Delete
  9. Well, you know I love to read, but it is hard to find a good book sometimes. After three disturbing reads in a row, I've been on a good roll for the last month or so. Currently reading The Housemaid's Daughter and enjoying it.

    I'm getting enough exercise right now with the shoveling.

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    1. I did enjoy "Hush" the novel I just finished.

      We got snow today, but I don't think the kind you need to shovel.

      Delete
  10. I think reading 48 books is a pretty good total. I managed 36 last year, though I'm a slowish reader. What's interesting is that I'm reading more and more American books and finding British books (novels, that is) rather bland and predictable.

    I won't comment on the exercise. The only exercise I ever do is walking!

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    1. The research I've read suggests that as you get older, weight bearing exercises are critical for maintaining good health, so I'm trying to make sure I fit that in.

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  11. I don't read as much as I used to but on holiday I have been known to read as many as 8 books in the space of two weeks.

    Happy New Year!

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    1. I read lots more on beach vacations and lots less on other sorts of vacations.

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  12. I love Goodreads.I've been on it for a couple of years now and have been doing the challenge. This year's challenge: 100 (eep!)

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    1. I think if I went for 100 I'd have to either give up my job or maintaining my family.

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  13. bummer about the hand book. that one sounded interesting from the title. i've been reading a lot more books but so many of them are young adult fiction. i've been trying to familiarize myself so i can give intelligent referrals to books when teachers ask. working through a lot of newbery winners.

    i'm with you on the pushy little thing. i'd be arguing with it and having those around me question my sanity. lol

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    1. I like young adult fiction. I think "Hush" is in that category. I recommend it, by the way.

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  14. As you know, now that life is more of my own, I read 79, but I am very impressed with your achievement. I too am on Goodreads but don't take the time to input, etc. I find there are too many diversions I get sucked into so had to decide priorities :)
    Yes, some friends are on that exercise smartphone bossy-boo and I would find it so controlling, etc.
    XO
    WWW

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    1. I only log on to Goodreads to enter books I've read. I don't do any of their other stuff.

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  15. I wish that I could read as much. Some of the books that I read are tomes that need to be studied and that takes up quite a bit of time leaving less for the less strenuous stuff. But I do manage between forty and fifty books a year on top of the regular reads like the BG and the Mahabharata. I am afraid that I cannot indulge in the seven minute work out for the reason that I have got two artificial hip joints!

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    1. Definitely it makes sense to choose exercise that works with joint replacements. I don't do the push-ups because of carpal tunnel issues and sub in hand weights instead.

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