Unger is a New York Times best-selling mystery novelist whose 2010 book Fragile (Crown) was chosen as a “top book pick for great summer reads” on Good Morning America and selected as a “hot book” by Harper’s Bazaar. Beautiful Lies (Vintage) was a finalist for the International Thriller Writers’ best novel.

LisaUnger.com

Why do you work out?

I exercise most days. I do this because it keeps me feeling healthy and youthful. It also keeps sane, centered and focused. If a few days pass without a good workout, I start to feel anxious and unmoored. It’s similar to the feeling I get if I go more than a day or two without writing.

What exercise(s) do you do?

I walk, use the elliptical trainer, and lift weights as part of my regular regimen. I also play tennis, practice yoga, and am passionate about kayaking.

Does working out help your writing?

Absolutely. Whenever I’m stuck in my narrative, I get up and move. In motion with my mind blank is the place where some of my best ideas come to me. The music I’m listening to is also a huge part of the process.

Do you have any characters who are into fitness or sports?

In my earlier work, under my maiden name Lisa Miscione, my protagonist Lydia Strong is a runner. She used it to exhaust herself so that she could turn off her mind. I can relate to that during certain periods of my life. In Smoke, and then later in Die for You, my character Jesamyn Breslow studies kung fu. She uses it as a way to center and empower herself. That is what the martial arts did for me during the eight years I practiced. Now I find the same benefits with yoga.

Do you or did you do any competitive sports?

My five-year-old daughter Ocean and I recently did the Iron Girl 5K … (my husband Jeff trailed us to push Ocean in her stroller when she got tired!). unger

Do you do any recreational activities that are fitness-related?

I enjoy scuba diving (though I’m not easy with it). I also enjoy hiking when the opportunity presents itself, and most especially kayaking. In the years after our daughter was born, we weren’t able to do these things as much. But now that she’s getting older she has her own kayak paddle, recently did a canopy walk in Costa Rica and rides her bike along with me while I walk. I can’t tell you how cool that is, just being active with my daughter. She’s already asking about scuba! But there are a few years to go on that one.

Do you have a personal fitness motto or philosophy?

Whenever I lack motivation, I tell myself: You’re never sorry you worked out. You’re always sorry when you didn’t.

Have you had any physically active jobs, such as serving in the military or working as a lifeguard?

No.

Do you have any physical problems that inhibit exercising?

From my martial arts days, I have learned to work out regardless of injury. My philosophy is: If you’re not in a coma, you can do something. Walking is always my go-to exercise because you can do it anywhere, almost anytime, no matter how lousy or lethargic you’re feeling. And, often, most minor injuries are helped by movement.

Does your family keep fit?

We all exercise in some way or another most days. My daughter has tennis lessons and ballet, in addition to everything mentioned above. Living in Florida, especially during the summer, we all enjoy swimming together in the pool or the ocean. Jeff and I have our regular routines and really work hard to make sure we both get the time to work out. Exercise and physical activity are a big part of our lives.

What’s a typical day’s diet?

We generally eat organic, whole foods, very little dairy and not much red meat. Since Jeff and I are both foodies and both love to cook, we eat pretty well. We love fine restaurants and tend to indulge a bit when we’re on the road or at our place in New York City. When we’re home in Florida we do a lot of stir fry and frittatas, homemade soups, fish, Asian or Mexican inspired meals, salads, fruit smoothies, lots of veggies, fruit, beans and nuts. My daughter Ocean eats mainly what we eat, has never had fast food, and eats almost no refined sugar. In fact, this Halloween was the first time she had what we call “junky candy.” But, of course, she has the occasional ice cream, or cookies or brownies we make at home!

Do you take steroids, human growth hormones or other performance-enhancing drugs?

I am a big fan of Emergen-C, which is vitamin C rich multivitamin that you drink. I also take choline and inositol, and borage oil for skin health. But I do try to get most of my vitamins from the food that I eat.

Is there anything regarding physical fitness that you would like to add?

I think most people exercise as a means to an end—to get stronger, to compete, to lose weight. This is a very western, goal-oriented mindset. Sometimes just getting started can be really daunting for people who think they have to work out at maximum capacity for hours at a time to meet a certain goal. But just the act of stretching, or getting out of the house or office to walk around the block can do wonders for your mood and sense of well-being, and this, in turn, contributes to better health. We all feel better in motion, and often one thing leads to another.

And for anyone who wants to be more active or who is thinking about but feels overwhelmed, Confucius say: The journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step.