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The Truth About Treadmills -- by Cheryl Brooks

I had to laugh when I saw that lovely picture of a treadmill desk on Jade Lee's post yesterday. I, too, had great expectations when I bought my own treadmill, but after seeking help from my chiropractor as to why my feet hurt so much, he hesitated a moment, cleared his throat and said, "I hate to say it, but your treadmill is the most likely cause of your problem."

Alas, in the days and months since then (it may even have been a year!), my treadmill has become the repository for shoes (some of them are at least new), conference-issue tote bags, and a waste basket. My Mr. Spock mousepad sits forlorn, promising me that if I will only climb aboard, I will surely live long and prosper. Lately, the desire to live long and prosper has been outweighed by the need for feet that don't make me want to scream.


The treadmill gets dusted regularly, and I do vacuum around it. I even drag it out of the way to clean underneath it from time to time.

But I don't use it.

While I was still gung ho enough to plug it in and turn it on, I did find that I could walk 2 miles per hour and still type with reasonable accuracy. I did most of my walking while critiquing chapters sent to me by my critique partners. I should at least try to do that, but transferring my computer to that little shelf is too much of an effort during these days of long nights, snowy fields, and icy winds. I prefer to ignore the treadmill, except on cleaning days, and pretend that I'm not getting any older, that my joints aren't any stiffer, that my weight is at least stable, and that my skin still has the elasticity it did at the age of twenty. And people wonder why I write fiction!

Today, I saw a huge rack of seed packets at the Rural King store when I went in to buy the biotin supplement for my horses so they won't have feet as sore as mine. I noticed a woman perusing the flower seeds with interest, and I considered stopping for a moment to commiserate, but thought it best to keep moving. I prefer to wait until at least February before I start collecting seeds or even pretending they exist. Usually by then, we at least have a hint of spring. Right now, it's only a dream.

Kinda like this book. The release date for Rebel isn't until July, but I received the copy-edited version to review last Wednesday. The edits were minor, and it took me away from winter in Indiana for a while, but it ended way too soon.

http://www.amazon.com/Wildcat-The-Star-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B009RXIXLO/ref=pd_sim_kstore_14

I may have to give in and read it again.  *;) winking

But, wait! The UPS man just brought the books I have to judge for RWA's Rita contest. Guess we all know what I'll be doing for the next few weeks!

How do you cope with the winter doldrums? Post a comment below and one lucky commenter will receive a free, signed copy of Wildcat!



"Scorching hot... a book that keeps you turning pages... 4 Stars" - RT Book Reviews

"Brooks gives Jerden and Sara over two hundred pages to become real, believable, and important to the reader before their relationship evolves into a highly erotic sexual one." - Booklist

"Smoking hot... " - My Reading Obsession

"Cheryl Brooks has taken the Cat Star Chronicles to a new level... " - Night Owl Reviews


Only One Woman Can Tame Him

When horse breeder Sara Shield encounters Jerden Morokovitz riding naked and bareback, she's stunned by the magnificence of both man and stallion. But Sara came to Terra Minor hoping to get away from all the men.

If She Can Give Up Her Fear...

The murder of Jerden's lover by a deranged woman has left this former star attraction of the Zetithian Palace brothel shattered in mind and body. Jerden is sure that Sara can heal his anguish—but not unless he can find the key to her heart.

Comments

  1. Love your treadmill Cheryl. I fear mine would look the same. We don't have much winter in Houston, so I kind of like it.

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    1. Not much winter sounds great to me, Shana. It's supposed to get down to 8 or some unholy temp such as that and my DH is camping tonight with his Scout troop. Me, I'm staying home by the fire!

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  2. LOL, too funny, Cheryl. I have a jogging board, which I need to use. :) At least it doesn't take up much room. I was using it when I was proofing my mss, and when I was watching TV, which I rarely do, unless I'm working on bears, and then I can't jog. Vicious cycle, you know. :)

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    1. I did a lot of searching to find a treadmill that would fit in that spot. Even had to replace the motor when it didn't work right after it finally got here. And there it sits...

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  3. I'm ready for spring, too, Cheryl. Packets of seeds have been luring me toward them in our local Dollar Store. Love the treadmill. Mine turned into a rack for drying clothes before I gave it to my granddaughter...the doctor told me the same thing. Next time we sign books I'll tell you about the war with the treadmill and how I was defeated!

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    1. Looking forward to hearing that story, Carolyn. It's probably funnier than mine!

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  4. I was given...FOR FREE.... an expensive exercise bike. It is large and very sturdy and takes up a lot of room. When I brought it home and had it walked up to my 3rd floor condo, the only place I could think of to put it (temporarily) was my living room. (It would not fit down the hallway to my bed room.) AND...there it stayed...unused for over two years! LOL It finally found a forever home with the man who came to install my carpet and mentioned that it would be perfect for his mother-in-law! ;o)

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    1. Makes you wonder if his mother-in-law ever used it, doesn't it, Betty? I gave away an elliptic bike to a friend of mine after I discovered how hard it was on my knees. I'm pretty sure she used it. She's a lot more fit than I am!

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  5. My stationary bike is a great clothes hanger!!!

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    1. I used to use my Nordic Trak for that, Jennifer. Then my son started actually using it to exercise and I had to give it up. ;)

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  6. I get through the winter by reading and watching TV and listening to music..When I feel myself getting the winter blues, nothing is better than putting on one of my fav CD's and getting into one of my fav authors..

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  7. I think about spring and my new fairy garden I'm creating this year. My Treadmill went away long ago. I'd rather walk outside and spy on people. I see the best stuff while walking around neighborhoods. Like the cute naked young guy who locked himself outside, when he went to get something out of his car. I had my phone. Gave it to him and my jacket . So who needs a Treadmill. Fresh air is good for my soul.

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    1. Too funny, Donna! Not sure I'd see anything but squirrels and rabbits if I walked around my neighborhood. Not nearly as entertaining!

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  8. haha my husband bought a stationary bicycle many years ago. I knew it was something I wouldn't use (I did try but I hated it lol) and he used it even less than me. But I wouldn't know where to hang by ironing or his jersey's if I didn't have it roflmao. Winter just means more time for reading :)

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    1. I had a stationary bike once. In fact, I think it's still buried in the corner of the garage. I rode it quite a bit for a while, but like every other exercise regime in my life, that one died a slow death. For me, winter gives me more time to write, but I did spend several hours waiting for car service this morning and got about halfway through one of the Rita contest books. It's actually pretty good!

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  9. Seems like we all have similar problems getting motivated, Wendy. Must be an epidemic!

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  10. watching movies

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  11. Stock up on your favorite books and some comfort food.

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  12. Fortunately, we still have the ability to go outside and enjoy the sunshine...however, I do need to find the motivation to actually go for a long walk! Thanks for sharing...I have been arguing with the hubby about the fact that we do NOT need another piece of equipment to hang clothes from, lol.

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    1. I dunno, Elf... Donna's experience with the naked neighbor might be encouragement enough for some of us!

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  13. We have a winner! Kathleen O! Congratulations!!!!

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  14. I ran on a treadmill once...I almost broke my neck. I think if I was ever given one, I would use it as a place to hang laundry :) I love this post

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  15. I've never been brave enough to run on mine, Christy. My hat's off to you for making the attempt!

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  16. LOL, if I had a treadmill, I wouldn't be surprised if it ended up looking like that within a month. :) To me, winter is for books, movies, and trying new soup recipes. :)

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