Challenge: A little less catching the bus and a little more riding my bike to work.

By ROSIE WATERLAND

I’m lucky enough to live very close to my work. I like to be helpful, so I’ve looked up the specifics for you. According to the Internet, it’s exactly five kilometres from my apartment door to my office. Apparently, it should take me nine minutes to make the trip.

Nine minutes? I. Wish.

Unfortunately in this case, the Internet is wrong. Not about the distance – I definitely only live five kilometres from my work – but about the time. Because of the awful traffic in Sydney, it takes me AN HOUR to get across the city to my office. A nine-minute trip takes me an hour.

Just as an FYI, you should know that this post is sponsored by Blackmores. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100% authentic and written in their own words.

First I have to wait for the bus, which may or may not come. Then I’m stuck standing on the bus, because by the time it arrives so many people have been waiting for it that there are no seats left. Then I’m stuck on the bus, always sandwiched between two strangers, as we inch… slowly… through… the… traffic.

If I’m lucky, I’ll make it to work on time. But even if I do I’m usually flustered and frustrated.

Something obviously has to give – and the solution is so obvious I can’t believe I haven’t considered it until now.

I’m going to start riding my bike to work. I honestly can’t believe I haven’t thought of this before. The weather is usually lovely, there are lots of bike paths on the route and I’ve calculated it will take me about 15 minutes to get to my office. 15 minutes instead of an hour! With the wind in my hair instead of a stranger’s face in the back of my head!

And aside from the time benefits, riding will ensure I’m always getting exercise too. At the moment, I aim to spend an hour exercising after work every day, but by the time I get home after spending so long on a crowded bus, I often can’t be bothered.

Seriously, as soon as I walk in the door and see the TV my brain immediately starts thinking up about 27 excuses as to why I ‘can’t’ exercise that night. (My favourite one is “Well I was just standing for all that time on the bus anyway… Oh look! Family Guy is on.)

Riding my bike to work each day means that I’ll be getting a solid amount of exercise even on the days when I don’t go to the gym. Five kilometres there and back means I’ll be riding 10 kilometres a day without even trying before I’ve even started my usual work-out.

So let’s weigh up the positives here: I’ll be getting out in the sunshine, I won’t have to stand up on a crowded stinky bus anymore, it will take me 15 minutes instead of an hour to get to work and I’ll have a guaranteed work-out every day. Oh – and I’ll save 50 bucks every week in bus tickets.

Um… Why haven’t I started riding my bike to work sooner?

Starting this week, I’m going to do a little less catching the bus and a little more riding my bike to work.

This is a healthy change I’m actually looking forward to! (And I may actually start getting to work on time.)

Despite our best intentions, particularly in the colder months, staying active and healthy isn’t easy. We aim to give up chocolate, abandon alcohol and promise to visit the gym four times a week, only to fail. A Little Less, A Little More reminding people that making small commitments is a much more achievable and sustainable way of living a balanced lifestyle. What will you do? Make a commitment here, challenge your friends, upload your pics and follow us at #littlelesslittlemore on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. 

Last week Nicky committed to ‘A little less Candy Crush, a little more cardio’. This week Rosie is committing to ‘A little less catching the bus and a little more riding my bike to work’.

What will your ‘little less, little more’  commitment be this week?