LJ Idol Week 7: Stronger

[alycewilson]

This is my entry for Week 7 of ()LJ Idol. This week's topic was “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

Stronger

When you want to punch
life in the throat, pick up
weights and do ten bicep curls.
Pump until your fibers burn.

When the nightmare closes in --
being a self-aware adult, that is -- drop
to your knees and do
twenty pushups. Throw in
some bonus tricep pushups.

With war swirling, with dystopia
closing in, bend your knees
and do thirty squat jumps
until your thighs smolder. Nothing
can survive that flame. Perish
thoughts with six minutes
of bicycle twists and weighted
crunches. Return your mind
inside your scorching self. Push
until you feel you might incinerate.

Then breathe.

Me before my workout today, making a muscle

Comments

[bleodswean]

This is an inspiring mantra, A! And you're looking very strong. Such a great response to the prompt. I love how practical you've made this entry.

[alycewilson]

Thanks. I like to write "how to" poems from time to time, though often much more surreal.

[banana_galaxy]

I really like the juxtaposition in this piece. I don't know if I read it the way you intended, as I'm someone who just does not have a routine for workouts, but the contrast between having that kind of routine against a backdrop of the world turning to shit feels... I guess like a vision of late-stage capitalism. Yeah, the world has turned to shit, but what else can you do now? This will help you vent. This is all we can offer you to feel better about what you're dealing with.

(On the other hand, I really hope it is actually having a positive impact on your life, as it sounds like from reading this).

[alycewilson]

Your reading of it is exactly what I was trying to get across: that when there is stress, anxiety, and anger caused by forces beyond your control, it's important to find a way to release those feelings in a positive way. And for me, over the past couple years, it's been through physical exercise. It really does help!

[adoptedwriter]

Awesome! Yes! I have used exercise to my advantage for all these reasons and more! ...

(Dashes off to Zumba class...)

[alycewilson]

I LOVE Zumba classes! I'm not certified to teach it, but I love to take Zumba.

[roina_arwen]

I’ve never been one for weights and such, but I like the can-do attitude and the idea of using exercise to get your blood pumping and release stress.

[alycewilson]

It's really been invaluable to me over the past two-plus years.

[erulissedances]

I'm a great believer in physical activity and intentional movement. I live every day with that goal.

- Erulisse (one L)

[alycewilson]

Great goal! It helps so much with stress relief.

[ofearthandstars]

I love this and have read it through several times. (I really should try it as a routine, though I'm not sure my knee and foot will cooperate with squat jumps.) But you're right - I've been trying to burn through walks to manage stress. It does help, if only a little!

[alycewilson]

Oh, no! Please don't use this as a routine. It's not got a proper warm-up at all. But if it does inspire you to be more active, that would be wonderful. I find it's great stress relief.

[gunwithoutmusic]

Looking good! Also, I love this; it's surprisingly inspirational. I've fallen off of the wagon when it comes to physical activity and I've also noticed in that time that my mood has gone more and more south. I was just thinking yesterday that I need to start getting back into working out and trying to get stronger, and this just hits for me. Good work :)

[alycewilson]

Awesome! I'm happy you find it inspirational. I've found I go through phases of more positive behaviors and more indulgent/self-destructive ones. But exercise remains one of my core habits, and that helps to balance out the indulgences.

[mollywheezy]

Exercise is a very healthy way to work out stress! Good for you! :)

[alycewilson]

Yes, it is! And when there's nothing else I can do about a problem, it helps to get my mind off it.

[itismeangied]

I wished I loved to exercise. Very cool piece!

[alycewilson]

Thanks! I truly believe any activity you enjoy should count as exercise, even gardening. Anything where you get your body moving a bit.

[tonithegreat]

You are inspiring me to climb and to get stronger for climbing! And Monday is the only day that the rock gym here is closed!

I also love your DW design! I need to play around and do something more than the bare minimum with my page here.

[alycewilson]

Awesome! I hope you do find something to do for yourself to build that strength up again. Of course, there's always push-ups. :)

I liked this DW design because it was similar to the dark brown background with white writing that I had on LJ, so it would feel connected for people who are used to reading my entries there.

[the_lucky_nun]

I love this! Feel it 100% - I know exercise will make me feel better but it's so hard to remember in the moment. May I print this mantra out and tape it to my computer? :)

[alycewilson]

If it inspires you, go for it!

[the_lucky_nun]

Thanks, it really was inspiring!