Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Writers Butt

Don't forget to sign up for the Killer Characters Blogfest while you're here. It'll be a scream muahahahah!

How would I have known four years ago when I started writing that it would consume me? I didn't. Or that I would actually crank out novel sized manuscripts? Not that either. What about getting little to no exercise as I sit my tail in a chair day after day slowly packing on the pounds? I sure hoped not. But alas, as I was complaining to a friend the other day about how I have got to get all these extra LBs off my body I realized...holy crap! These evil things have snuck up on me since I've been writing!
Now, don't get me wrong, I have never been a stick thin gal, but man, I have never been so large and in charge before either.
So this past week as my butt lands in its usual spot and I am procrastinating with my writing by visiting blogs I realized...I'm not alone!  Elana Johnson talked about it in her August New Year's Resolutions. Kristin Creative noticed this awhile back and is now on week 4 of her get in shape challenge, and Angela Cothran cracked me up yesterday when she said in reference to her being a teenage beauty queen...yes she was(Angela hope you don't mind if I'm sharing:), "I'm not a beauty queen any more, now I'm just a tired mother of three who should be exercising, but would rather work on her WIP and eat chocolate--not nearly as glamorous. Oh, to be seventeen again."
No doubt Angela! And no way! Could it be so many of us have the sad affects of...dun dun dun...WRITERS BUTT?
So as I prepare myself for my first conference this weekend I realize, My 'About Me' photo is pre-writers butt. I'm going to be meeting people who probably won't even recognize me (Juliana, Marcie...can't wait to meet you:) so here we go. Meet writers butt me. Sorry...not brave enough to post a full shot yet so please cut a poor girl some slack.

When I come back from the conference me and my tail are going head to head people. So get ready for some writers butt updates.

Now tell me, do you have writers butt? Have you ever? And if you have and got rid of it, what did you do? And yea I know eat less, move more is the key, but WHAT do you do when you move? I need all the help I can get so sound off if you will and let's get rid of writers butt together:) 

25 comments:

Andrea Mack said...

Are you me? Seriously, I have recently noticed this too. No wonder it is so hard to find jeans that fit! In my case, it's aggravated by seeing all the slim perfect teenagers walking to school when I drop my daughter off. Still thinking about how to counteract this problem.

Angela Cothran said...

Ha Ha! Why is the truth always so funny? I for sure have writers butt! And writers stomach. And writers arms :)

My new idea is to ban myself from writing until I do at least 30 min of exercise. But we will see, I'm not very good at following my own rules.

I happen to think you look great in your picture. And thanks for the shout out :)

Emily R. King said...

Sadly, I can relate. It's not that I've gained pounds, but my once firm bottom is now mushy. Sure, I could blame having three babies on some flab, but I know the truth: I'm sitting on my arse writing and blogging all day when when I should be out running or swimming or lifting weights. Good for you for showing your true self. I think you're gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Ha! Deanna until I read this post I thought those LBs came from turning 40. I never thought about the correlation between them and butt-in-chair.

Anyway, I finally found a way to work them off. I've been climbing up and down my stairs while reading blogs on my iPod. The tricky part was how to comment.

Thinking outside the box, I realized I could star them, then go back and comment after I finished exercising.

The great thing is, I don't feel guilty about following so many blogs anymore. The more time it takes to read them, the more exercise I get!

Of course, I have a lifetime of experience reading while walking. I did it on the way to school my entire childhood. Takes good peripheral vision ^_^

Deana said...

Andrea- When you figure it out you come straight back here and let me know:)

Angie- I love flattery so thanks but like I said...no full pic today:) I like your idea. I think that might be a good one. Now if I go a month and haven't written anything then I guess we will know if it worked or not for me:)

Emily- I wish I could blame the babies too. Ha, the truth is, in that About me pic, I was 7 months prego! Go figure:( thanks for the the sweetness:)

Angelina- I already told you, but I'll say it again...too bad I can't use the 40 excuse since I'm only 32. Ha! I guess my only other option is to blame writing. Cause I can't blame eating too much and not excercising enough can I:)

Michelle Fayard said...

Deanna, I agree with Emily that you look gorgeous in this photo. Shoot, it’s totally advocating the whole writers’-butt thing. :) I think it’s so cool you and Marcie and Juliana are getting to meet one another. I saw your tweet earlier today about what to wear to a conference. What about business casual? I always felt confident with this, because I looked professional enough for some hopefully interview-like opportunities but avoided looking too serious. I can’t wait to hear how it goes.

Jenny S. Morris said...

I used to run on my lunch breaks before I started writing. Now, I haven't run in FOREVER. So, I am making myself go on a schedule. I have to eat at my desk everyday, but I am running at least once a week on lunch and write at least once a week on lunch. The other days I will see how things go. Thursday will be my first day to run again. We'll see how it goes.

Sarah Tokeley said...

Betweem November 2009 and June 2010 I lost over 60lbs. It took me about the same amount of time to put it all back on. Oh well, back to Slimming World :-)

Shiela Calderón Blankemeier said...

Great post! I, too, struggle with Writer's Butt :) So much, that my writting blog is one-thirdly devoting to just that - reducing my great divide. For me, I wii. Tennis, bowling, baseball, and it really helps. I give tips every Wednesday (Wednesday Writer's Workout: Wii!). Ok, ok, maybe not every Wed. My tips, like my workout, can be sporatic. Good luck to all of us and our shrinking, or maintaining, WBs :)

Kristin Rae said...

Aww I think you're precious. But I know what you mean. People may look at me and think I look fine, but I know what I SHOULD be, and it's at least 25 pounds less!

I can't wait to see your progress as you work yourself back into shape! (And I'm SO thankful I'm not alone!! I may appear strong but I'm SO not. lol) Lately, I've been making sure I'm drinking more water. When I think I'm hungry, I take a swig. Then another. I'm also focusing hard on strength training, trying to build up those muscles that burn calories throughout the day for me, just by being there (having muscles burns 300-500 more calories a day, apparently!) On that note, I'm off to the gym!! Best of luck to ya, conquering that writers butt!

Unknown said...

Well, being male, my butt is a bit on the smallish side, oh but my gut! I actually take little workout breaks when I write to keep me focused, and a little less chunky.

Deana, thank you for the kind comment. It's so heartening to hear such things.

Your blog design is amazing btw. Looks like I need to step up my game!

Again, hello from a fellow Campaigner!

Ian

Juliana L. Brandt said...

Aww, you're gorgeous, girl!

I can't wait to meet you too :D

Loree Huebner said...

Hey, you gotta get out of the chair and walk in between chapters!

Great post.

Heather said...

Writer's butt is a constant battle. But I'm doing relatively well with my elliptical and treadmill (torture devices) at keeping it to a minimum. A friend of mine has an exercise bike that she swears by. She says it super easy to read her manuscript or a book on it and that makes her stay on it longer. I've got to get one of those!

Deana said...

Michelle- Thanks! I appreciate you being so sweet:) AS far as the conference, I business casual is what I've been told. I'm going shopping tomorrow since I have not a thing matching that description. I'm pretty thrilled about actually getting to meet some of my blogger buddies too!

Jenny- Good for you getting back to it! I'll bet it will be like riding a bike...with a bit more breathlessness:)

Sarah- At least you know you can do it! We can shed the lbs together:)

Sheila- How cool! You sound like a dedicated gal. And who doesn't flub up every now and then?

Kristin- Exactly! I so wish I was only needing to to shed 25 pounds:)

Ian- Thanks for the comments! I love those:)
And good for you doing the inbetween workout. I'll bet that helps clear your head too.

Juliana- Awww thanks! Just a few more days:)

Loree- Good call. Maybe what I need to ask is how to get the motivation back to do it:)

Deana said...

Heather- Ooo the bike sounds like a good one. Now to talk to the husband to get me one...

Kate Larkindale said...

Glad to know I'm not alone with this expanding ass syndrome (EAS).

I try to exercise at least 4 times a week at the gym, and because I don't drive, I walk everywhere. Try carrying a week's groceries five blocks and you'll get some good exercise!

Karen M. Peterson said...

Ah, yes. Writer's Butt. I'm all too familiar.

Christa Desir said...

I've had to actually start walking on the treadmill while I read submissions or otherwise, I might be the size of a house. My neck is also a wreck. Sigh.

*By the way, take off your word verification in settings, it makes your blog easier to comment on from phones.

Unknown said...

I seriously have writer's and editor's butt! I spend too much time in my chair. I started walking in May and had walked almost 80 miles before I broke my toe on June 30. I was losing some inches and feeling great. Now, I'm a slug again! I'm finally able to walk without any pain, so I'm hoping that writer's butt will be a bit smaller by Christmas!

Small Town Shelly Brown said...

I totally have writer's butt!
But I do climb stairs a lot of times when I read (doesn't help NEARLY enough)
I think your picture looks great. Don't get to hard on yourself.
I just turned 32 as well! I was trying to blame it on my 30's but I KNOW it is a big part of writing.

May we become healthier versions of ourselves in the near future *clink*

Jennie Bennett said...

lol! You are still beautiful :) I totally had writers butt once (except I called it pretzel butt becasue I worked at pretzel maker.)

Anyway, I have two kids so exercising isn't always easy. I try to go for walks with them and I dance around my kitchen like a crazy woman. When I'm really dedicated I get up before the hubby leaves for work and walk, walk, walk.

Are you going to the League of Utah writer's conference this weekend? 'cause I'll totally be there too. Anyway, I'm just stopping by for the first time. Nice to meet you!

http://abookagirlajourney.blogspot.com

PK HREZO said...

omgosh I could've written this myself. lol
I was in such great shape before I became a serious writer. Since then I've gained about 20 lbs. UGH. I hate it, but love writing more. And where would writers be without their chocolate??
I used to do zumba and I'm starting it again once we have our new house in order. Zumba kicks butt and gets me in stellar shape. Plus it's so much fun!

Gwen Gardner said...

I have a total writer's butt. It's because of the butt glue, though. You know, the stuff you have to use to keep your butt in the chair so you can write? LOL!

P.S. I have a blog award for you over on my site:)

WritingNut said...

Ah.. this is so true!!! I spend practically my entire day in a chair, and that's even when I'm not writing... although I AM usually at the computer :)