Balance

It’s well-known that sedentary activities, and activities requiring mental effort, should be balanced with physical activity. That promotes all-around good health and happiness, and in large measure it’s why people exercise, because the work that supports our middle- and upper-class lifestyles isn’t hard physical labor any more. Exercise gives us the balance we need.

I hate exercise. An exercise program has to be really convenient if it's going to work for me. When I lived in South Burlington the pilates class, the yoga class, and work were all within 6-10 minutes of home, and I went to those classes every week, because they were close and I’d paid the money! When I lived in Williston, Curves was literally on the way to work, and I exercised there three mornings a week, because it was close and I’d paid the money!

There has been no convenient exercise place for me since I moved to Brookfield. Last year I took Pilates in Montpelier on Tuesday after work, before the weekly grocery trip. But now there are no after-work Pilates classes, and the Curves in Randolph doesn’t open early enough for me to get to work on time. I have my ancient Nordic Track and a walkable road, but I have no dollar investment to motivate me, so when it comes to exercise, I just don’t do it.

I like exercise that accomplishes something. On the weekend I mow the lawn; I have a push mower and it takes me two days at an hour each day to finish. And if I go dancing, that’s certainly exercise. But that’s not enough days, is it? Getting exercise is still an unmet challenge.

Today I got exercise and my day is very well-balanced. Thelma expects a hay delivery before the middle of July, and the remaining bales of last year’s hay needed to be moved from the back of the hayloft to the front. I said I’d do it. Betsy Kelley hates going up the hayloft ladder, and Thelma is not supposed to lift anything heavy (hay) or awkward (hay). I’m taller than either of them, so moving hay is easier for me.

There were about 50 bales. Working with hay, even when the day is cloudy and there’s a pleasant breeze, is heavy, hot work. I’d worked about 45 minutes, and moved about 30 bales, stacking them 3 high, when Betsy Kelley’s son (middle-aged) showed up to do it. Who knew? He got the easy part, because there was no more stacking room. He tossed the rest of the bales down into the barn and we stacked them in a stall.

When I got home it wasn’t raining, so I took a deep breath and mowed the lawn in back of the house. Between the hay and the mowing, that was 3 hours of walking and lifting. Ye gods. That’s certainly enough exercise for one day. Maybe I made up for Thursday and Friday.