Most books containing helpful instructions on dealing with ADD emphasis the need to exercise. They say it’s like a “tonic for your brain”, that regular exercise is one of the most powerful tools in the ADDer’s attempts to gain control. This is a problem, most of the time. I have become pretty good at stopping to exercising when I have the opportunity. I take approximately 20 minutes every day after work to exercise on the equipment my employers have provided us with. My machine of choice is the stationary bike, and often the treadmill, rarely the weights. I do not “workout”. I exercise. I am not a gym rat, per se. I am more of a gym butterfly.

In addition, I find it difficult to sustain the attention it takes to really get into the groove I suspect it is necessary to get into in order to really do some good to the gut and butt I believe I am developing as I get older. I simply don’t go long enough and far enough in my routine to do much good. In fact, today it dawned on me, that if my exercise “routine” were a real life experience, it would go something like this:

I coerce myself to walk slowly down a city block, stopping regularly to window shop. I realize that I’m late for something and pick up the pace, sure not to walk fast enough to look conspicuous. Then a very swift pickpocket swipes my wallet and I’m off like a maniac cheetah and I’m going to get that &%@*! pickpocket if it’s the last thing I do. I’m fast!

However, after only one and a half more city blocks, I am reduced to a whining trot, more upset at having to chase the pickpocket, than at the loss of my wallet. Soon, I am window shopping again, only on slightly rubbery legs. Then I am late again. Run! But wait, I’m so late it doesn’t matter anymore. Just walk. Ooh, music store. 

That is my exercise routine, ADD to the core, down to a 15 to 20 minute combination of unplanned, disorganized spurts of energy. The final 5 minutes on the machine is spent wondering which machine I should move to next. When I am done not-ever-deciding which one comes next, I realize that I must actually be done with exercising, put the iPod on pause and leave the room, probably leaving something behind.

I will be working now to improve upon this. I realize the benefits exercise brings. I want the tonic. Oh, I want the tonic. And I’m going to get that tonic if it’s the last thing I do. Tomorrow, first thing after work.