#TreadmillPD

Last Boxing Day weekend, after months of feeling bloated, I decided to take action.  I wasn't motivated to go to the gym anymore, so I bought a treadmill for my home.  And, much to the surprise of all those who said it would be a clothes hanger in two months, I have been diligently using it ever since.  The mill (as I affectionately call it) was especially wonderful in our long Ontario winter.

The first few months I binged watched some TV shows and listened to music.  I quickly got bored; moreover, I started to feel like I didn't have time to do everything I wanted to do professionally.  Then one night it hit me: why did these activities have to be mutually exclusive? And thus #TreadmillPD was born. (Little did I know the great Matt Miller had already coined the phrase and created the hashtag on Twitter as explain in this blog post.)

I began using my time on the treadmill to learn.  It was great for the body and mind.  During the day I would pin article and videos I came across but did not have time to explore in depth to a professional Pinterest board (my board is here if you want to follow me).  In the evening, I would go back and explore what I had posted.  If I hadn't pinned something I would explore Twitter (such a rich resource for PD), or listen to a podcast (which I have blogged about before here).  I was learning so much and loving it.  I looked forward to my learning time every night.  I felt mentally healthy since I no longer felt pulled to get exercise or learn - I could do both.


When I tell people about my #TreadmillPD they are often in awe..."How can you run and read?!"  Let's be clear....I am a brisk walker.  I am sure with practice I could do both - I have run two 5km races in the past, and I would LOVE to be a "real" runner, but for now, this is what works.

Also, don't get me wrong, some days I still binge some TV, or watch the Toronto Blue Jays games, but most of my time is on PD and I find it so fulfilling.