Getting Stronger

Right now my goal is to get stronger.  I don't mean strong enough to lift a 100 lb sack of potatoes.  I mean strong enough to live my life.  As fully as I possibly can given what has happened to me.  I need to get stronger so that I can be healthier and therefore happier.  And by this I mean emotionally healthier too.  So I have started by going to the gym.  Well let's just say that I started back in October sometime or November (I think) and I was so enthusiastic that I went every day!  For several hours.  The old body just couldn't handle that kind of workout regime so my ankle became severely swollen and I was told it was probably stress fractures.  Now I say probably because I did not opt for the full body scan to prove this as I simply do not believe in running off to get fully radiated just for a swollen ankle.  Our bodies are equipped to heal themselves.  And so mine did.  Eventually.  And now I am back again!  Hurray!

So being back at the gym means going to lots of classes involving weights, mats, exercise balls, stretchy bands, and teachers that push you to do things you would only do half of on your own.  So that helps.  There is also state of the art equipment that you can work out on.  This is a whole new thing for me.  I have always exercised and gone to aerobics type classes but never did the equipment thing.  It's different.  But I can say one thing I know it will work.  To make me stronger and healthier.

So here's the thing.  Your life has beat you up somewhat.  Or lots like in my case.  So what do you do?  Lie down and die?  Give up? Well the temptation is there for some but really human beings are not meant to do that.  We are meant to keep surviving regardless of our circumstances.  In my case it is really awful...truly terrible.   But looking at the whole picture there really there are lots of good things too.  Like the people I love and the sunny days.  So what should I do then?  Give up?  No me thinks not.  So I am planning on doing the getting stronger bit.

The other thing I am planning to do is eat healthier and lose extra pounds.  Twenty to be exact.  (But really I am losing 30...even though it seems somewhat unrealistic...but hey what's a number....it's only 10 more and if it makes me feel better to say I am going to lose 30 then so what?)  It's my fat right?  Or call it blubber if you will.  Whatever you want to call it I need to lose it so that I can be healthier and let's not forget the looking better in your clothes bit.  There are lots of people who have lost 100 lbs so what is the big deal with 30!  Right so I have now convinced myself.

So instead of snacking on  chips and salsa tonight I had a dish of broccoli and orange pepper slices with homemade yogurt ranch dressing.  It filled me up!  I also had some cheese, peanut, pretzel mix from the grocer store.  But I was careful with this and had only a bit...  Then a big glass of milk for protein which helps to rebuild the muscles after working out.  So even though my legs are sore I am excited to see the results.  And anyway it gives me a goal.  Goals are very important when you are trying to rebuild a life.  And even if you're not we all need to focus on the good things right?  But just in case you think I am only going to focus on exercise and diet that's where you are wrong!  There are many other things that make this world go round and are worth doing!  But in order to do those other things well I need to get off my derriere and get into shape!

And maybe just writing it down will help me to stay motivated about this all.