Growing up in an Army family, with an Army dad, fitness was always a big deal.  In the DoD school system, we had PT tests, field days, school-wide Volksmarches (6, 10 and 20K walks usually held on the weekends in Germany, "Volks" meaning "people" so essentially "people's march"), Jump Rope for Heart, and other physically-based activities.  In addition, at home, my parents stressed healthy-eating and made sure we had exercise incorporated in our lives, like it or not.  Let's face it, as a kid, usually NOT.

Nonetheless, we went on long 10-20 mile bike rides and regularly attended Volksmarches, where my parents would run the 20K's while my little sister and I walked the 6 or 10K with our dogs.  My parents also ran marathons, such as the then annual Fulda Marathon, as we looked on at the finish line.  Back then I'd never have guessed that when I "grew up" I'd find myself running a half-marathon, with further aspirations of running a full.  (More on the "running bug" in a subsequent blog.)

Which brings me to the "Girl on the Plastic Bubble" from the headline.  That girl, would be me.  One day, while sitting at my computer working, I found myself thinking about how idle the workday is for most people, including myself.  Short of leaving my desk to run laps around the building or running up and down the stairs a few times, and with no mandated PT for Civilians, I surmised that most of my working hours were spent as a desk-chair potato, glued to my Outlook inbox.  SO, in order to combat this issue, I brought in my exercise ball much like the one shown below and replaced my office chair with it.  This way the constant balancing and rolling back and forth works my core, WHILE I'm working-two birds, one stone (pardon the cliché).  Not a day goes by that I don't get a snicker or two, or that a passerby doesn't stop at my cube in awe of such a silly sight and it has become quite the running joke in parts of the office--"Crystal's on the ball today guys!"  Still, it's all in good fun and I'd say, another testament to my Army upbringing, keeping healthy, body, mind and spirit and staying Army Strong!

(Consequently, in looking for a ball picture to post with this blog, I found I'm not the only one that does this either:  bit.ly/dAv9mb   This website includes other ideas for staying fit in the office as well.  Enjoy!)