Writers@Work: How to be a Fit Writer by Dana DeGrazia

Hey writers! If you’ve followed this blog over the past few years, you know I’m passionate about fitness. I’m an avid walker, weight lifter (honest!), and wannabe runner. I also dabble in yoga. But mostly, I’m trying to move enough to fight the fat that comes with a desk job! This summer, I started following Dana DeGrazia’s fantastic blog, Mom Runs Half to learn more about how to run! And I thought she’d be the perfect person to provide you with great tips on how to stay fit and still find time to write. Thanks to Dana for this great post and hosting my guest blog post yesterday at Mom Runs Half on how to start a fitness blog. Read on and then get out and move! -Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

Writers@Work: How to be a Fit Writer by Dana DeGrazia

How do you stay fit as a writer? I am not a full time writer but there are days where I have writing to catch up on and spend most of my day at the computer. I do not like to be sedentary for too long so here are some ways that I stay healthy as a writer.

I set a timer for 30 minutes sometimes 60 if I have a lot of work to do and I get up and walk the stairs in my house or just do something active for 15-30 minutes. It often times helps me when I have hit a block in my writing as well.

I find it all too easy at times to snack as I write or head to a local coffee shop and get a 400 calorie coffee to sip on as I write. I have broken this habit and keep water near me at all times. I avoid coffee shops now and stay out of the kitchen when I am at home and writing. I make a schedule for my day which includes breaks and lunch and that’s when I head for food, rather than having a snack bowl at the computer desk at all times.

Find an exercise you love and make sure you do it at least 3 days a week. I love running and strength training. I spend three days a week running and three days a week strength training. It is a great way to start my day and motivates me on days that I am writing. It clears my mind and often times gives me ideas on what to write about.

Write standing up. Use a high counter or find a special computer desk for those who want to work standing up. It helps with your posture, reduces neck strain. I haven’t tried this one myself but I think I would like it.

These are the tools that work for me. Find what works for you. Maybe it is stopping and doing 10 push ups, 10 tricep dips and 50 jumping jacks every 10 minutes for an hour. Maybe it is setting a daily schedule and sticking to it so you aren’t sedentary at your desk for too long. Maybe it’s trying new exercise programs to find one that suits you. Or maybe it’s a walk around the block once in the morning, once at lunch and once in the late afternoon.

Whatever it is, it’s essential to stay physically active in a career where you spend most of your day sitting and writing.

Your turn: How do you stay fit as a writer?

About Dana DeGrazia. I’m a wife, mom, and runner. I love trying new healthy recipes. I enjoy wine and time with friends and family. I have done many races but after completing my first half marathon in the summer of 2012, I fell in love. I started blogging in 2013 as a challenge to myself. A challenge to do something that pushes me out of my comfort zone. I blog at http://www.MomRunsHalf.com about running, fitness, healthy recipes and sometimes not so healthy recipes (you only live once) as well as my everyday life. Connect with me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Momrunshalf and Twitter: twitter.com/MomRunsHalf