Moving Because I Have To

What are five simple exercises to do at home?

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I do not exercise. And I don’t mean that I do not exercise regularly. I mean I do not exercise. I actively choose not to.

Am I healthy by normal standards? Absolutely not. But am I lazy beyond normal sanity? Yes!

I like things easy, so exercising has never been something I willingly make time for. The only real movement I get comes from doing household chores, the occasional deep cleaning, and walking around within the four walls of my house.

I don’t even take the time to do proper breathing exercises. During a check-up, I was told that I tend to take very small breaths, and I have also noticed that I sometimes hold my breath without even realizing it.

So, if I were ever going to exercise, it would have to be simple. Nothing complicated, nothing that makes me question every life decision that brought me to that moment.

My five simple exercises would probably be:

  1. Walking
    Probably the most realistic option for me. I already walk around the house, so this would simply require me to do a little more of it intentionally.
  2. Stretching
    Simple stretches feel less intimidating than an actual workout. They are something I could imagine doing without mentally preparing myself for battle first.
  3. Chair Exercises
    An exercise that allows me to sit down? Now we are speaking my language. Simple seated movements seem much more approachable to someone starting from absolutely nothing.
  4. Breathing Exercises
    Considering I apparently forget to breathe properly sometimes, intentionally paying attention to my breathing feels like something worth working on.
  5. Simple Mobility Exercises
    Gentle movements of my shoulders, arms, ankles, and legs sound manageable. Nothing extreme, just getting my body to move more than it currently does.

I know that none of these sounds particularly ambitious. But maybe that is exactly the point. For someone who does nothing, doing something is already progress.

Day 87: Small Progress Towards Changes

Today felt like one of those rare days where everything balanced out just right. I started early, easing into the morning before my work calls. Despite preparing myself, I still managed a few funny mishaps during the call — my habit of laughing when I’m embarrassed or stressed made its usual appearance. Thankfully, cameras are not mandatory, or my red ears would have given me away. But honestly, starting the day with laughter set a good tone.

Pain was under control, and I remembered to read my Bible, which grounded me and lifted my spirit. That alone made me feel like the day was off to a meaningful start.

Food was a little unusual today — I ate more than I normally do. Hunger doesn’t usually hit me that hard, but I tried to keep it healthy and paced myself, taking breaks to check in with my body. On top of that, I drank about two liters of water, which is a big step forward for me. It may not be the “ideal” amount, but considering my usual habits, it felt like progress. With summer approaching, I know hydration will be key, so I’m hoping I can slowly grow my habit of hydrating myself.

In the afternoon, I took a break and picked up my sketchpad. I started working on a drawing of Rengoku, my favorite character from Demon Slayer. I don’t know why, probably because his character is completely contradicting to my character. He is just so positive and motivated it always brings a smile to my face. The sketch – I didn’t finish it, but I made significant progress, hopefully, I’ll complete it by the end of the week.

Looking back, today was a good day. A mix of laughter, discipline, creativity, and small victories. Sometimes, it’s not about big achievements but about noticing the little things that make life feel lighter.