I'm in my 4th week of swimming. I definitely believe it is beneficial. For one thing, I motivated my bump on a log hubby to join me. He's just recovered from some health issues and sits at his computer at work most of the day. He definitely needs to do some kind of exercise. He decided to join me and says he immediately felt benefits.
I too feel benefits. After the first couple sessions tension in my neck and shoulders eased up, along with the pain that goes with it. Unfortunately, my body contorts to maintain functionality. I upset the apple cart. When the upper tension relaxed, the lower magnified. By the end of the second week, by low back was so locked up I literally could not stand up straight. So I decided to visit the chiropractor. She worked my entire spine over pretty good. Everywhere she touched hurt and after it continued to hurt, but I was able to stand upright. I kept swimming. Yesterday I went for a follow-up adjustment and today I swam again. I'm still not 100% but I do think my body is working things out. I'm optimistic!
Since this is a blog about weight issues, should I mention I bought a bag of truffles and ate three this evening. Chocolate is supposed to be healthy, right? Hum, do I expect this blog to be like some kind of Catholic confession? By publishing my sin, am I absolved? Will the calories vanish? Guess I need to work out more than just physical issues.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
In the swim
I posted the following status on facebook today: Finally reached that point in life when age and physical discomfort override insecurity and vanity. Put my swimsuit on and swam laps for an hour at the Arcata pool. Felt wonderful!
I got a surprising number of "likes" and comments in response. Guess it struck a cord with people.
It actually was a big deal. I'm very insecure and self-conscious, in a "don't show yourself" "have some shame" kind of way. I actually love the water and swimming. But all my life it's been creeks, rivers, lakes - in cut-offs and in relative seclusion. None of that uppity public pool/swimsuit stuff for me. Add to that the fact I'm now old and my skin can't really tolerate the sun. If I ease into exposure I will still tan. Unfortunately, when the tan fades, it leaves liver spots (brownish patches.) NOT very appealing. As a consequence, I'm flat out pasty white. Even my hair is now white. Well, ok, salt and pepper, but heavy on the salt. Last time I tried swimming in a pool my hair took on a definite greenish tinge. Someone suggested it was from chemicals in the water. I've avoided pools completely since then.
My sister participates in a diabetes program at a local clinic. They provide several physical activity options for participants. Since I'm the only sibling out of 5 that is not diabetic, she told them I'm bound to be at least "pre-diabetic" and I need the exercise. Knock on wood about diabetes, but I definitely have to agree I need exercise. At any rate, turns out they offer lap swimming at a local pool twice a week. I was invited to attend. My body has been very stiff and locked up lately. After sitting, it takes me a bit to stand straight. When I first stand up I walk hunched forward while my body slowly shifts into an upright position. Pretty pitiful. So, when the time came, I found some swim shorts and a top, stuffed a towel in a bag and headed to the pool.
So there I am in the ladies locker room with a bunch of naked and half-naked women walking around me. Whatever. I planned ahead and just had to slip on my shorts while still wearing a cover-up. Then it was just take off the cover-up and I was ready to swim. As a precaution, I got my hair wet in the showers to minimize it sucking up green tinted chemicals.
I was only one of three people who showed up for the session. That was good. I learned the pool has some special light filter system that minimizes use of chemicals. That was good. I swam and stretched for a solid hour. That was good. My spine and neck still hurt suggesting I might be due for a trip to the chiropractor, but I definitely feel better than before I went. I don't think I will ever be one of those women walking around naked in the locker room, but I definitely think I'll swim again!
I got a surprising number of "likes" and comments in response. Guess it struck a cord with people.
It actually was a big deal. I'm very insecure and self-conscious, in a "don't show yourself" "have some shame" kind of way. I actually love the water and swimming. But all my life it's been creeks, rivers, lakes - in cut-offs and in relative seclusion. None of that uppity public pool/swimsuit stuff for me. Add to that the fact I'm now old and my skin can't really tolerate the sun. If I ease into exposure I will still tan. Unfortunately, when the tan fades, it leaves liver spots (brownish patches.) NOT very appealing. As a consequence, I'm flat out pasty white. Even my hair is now white. Well, ok, salt and pepper, but heavy on the salt. Last time I tried swimming in a pool my hair took on a definite greenish tinge. Someone suggested it was from chemicals in the water. I've avoided pools completely since then.
My sister participates in a diabetes program at a local clinic. They provide several physical activity options for participants. Since I'm the only sibling out of 5 that is not diabetic, she told them I'm bound to be at least "pre-diabetic" and I need the exercise. Knock on wood about diabetes, but I definitely have to agree I need exercise. At any rate, turns out they offer lap swimming at a local pool twice a week. I was invited to attend. My body has been very stiff and locked up lately. After sitting, it takes me a bit to stand straight. When I first stand up I walk hunched forward while my body slowly shifts into an upright position. Pretty pitiful. So, when the time came, I found some swim shorts and a top, stuffed a towel in a bag and headed to the pool.
So there I am in the ladies locker room with a bunch of naked and half-naked women walking around me. Whatever. I planned ahead and just had to slip on my shorts while still wearing a cover-up. Then it was just take off the cover-up and I was ready to swim. As a precaution, I got my hair wet in the showers to minimize it sucking up green tinted chemicals.
I was only one of three people who showed up for the session. That was good. I learned the pool has some special light filter system that minimizes use of chemicals. That was good. I swam and stretched for a solid hour. That was good. My spine and neck still hurt suggesting I might be due for a trip to the chiropractor, but I definitely feel better than before I went. I don't think I will ever be one of those women walking around naked in the locker room, but I definitely think I'll swim again!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Round and Round
Interesting, it was August when we started phase 1. It's now October. As we always do, we lost a solid 10 pounds in the two weeks we were on phase 1 of the South Beach Diet. I felt ever so much better and clothes started fitting again. Then we moved to phase 2 where we introduce fruit and grains. Things went ok for a little while. Then, as we always do, we started slipping and splurging. First the exercise bit the dust - I had a cold, an issue with my eye, poison oak, reason after reason (excuse) not to exercise. Hubby likes wine. A nice glass of wine with dinner once in a while can't hurt, right? (!) Then we got busy and, "Heck, it's late let's just order a pizza to go with our wine." Oddly, pizza is edible when one eats healthy. Mexican food, not so much. It pretty much makes me sick. Likewise, the salt in Chinese food makes me puff up like a balloon.
Even with the slow slide, things have been holding pretty study weight wise. No loss, but no real gain either. Then, we traveled to the Bay Area and ate out for three days in a row. I'll give myself a couple days to recover before I assess the damage that was done. But at this juncture I'd say I'm square in the middle of my usual (unhealthy) circular dieting pattern. So, definitely, after we stuff our faces on a gourmet meal tonight, I'm getting diciplined with my diet. (Believable?)
Did I mention my spine is killing me. From the low back all the way up to the base of my skull, my back is locked-up and hurts. My spine, the major energy channel in my body is screaming at me to EXERCISE. Get out and move, stretch, bend, release, relax . . .
I'll keep you posted. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life. I'm due for change.
Even with the slow slide, things have been holding pretty study weight wise. No loss, but no real gain either. Then, we traveled to the Bay Area and ate out for three days in a row. I'll give myself a couple days to recover before I assess the damage that was done. But at this juncture I'd say I'm square in the middle of my usual (unhealthy) circular dieting pattern. So, definitely, after we stuff our faces on a gourmet meal tonight, I'm getting diciplined with my diet. (Believable?)
Did I mention my spine is killing me. From the low back all the way up to the base of my skull, my back is locked-up and hurts. My spine, the major energy channel in my body is screaming at me to EXERCISE. Get out and move, stretch, bend, release, relax . . .
I'll keep you posted. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life. I'm due for change.
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