Before Christmas, my family and I embarked on a really quick ski trip. Skiing has always been one of my favorite outdoor winter activities. I’ve never considered myself an athlete (my family would whole-heartedly agree), but I can ski. Now, to be totally honest when I say ski, my definition is to meander down the mountain at a comfortable rate that includes occasionally passing other skiiers. I’ve never ski jumped, on purpose anyway, or raced anyone and won, but I’m a decent skiier and don’t embarass my kids…with my skiing anyway.
When I was diagnosed with RA in 2007 one of my first questions was, “Will I still be able to ski”? The answer from my rheumatologist was “Yes, of course…as soon as we get it under control”. Until we got it under control, I thought that her response was laughable. There would be no way that I could unless I improved significantly.
Well, not only did I improve significantly, I did ski this past December. Yes, I did. As I got off the lift and made my way down the mountain for the first run, a tear of thankfulness rolled down my cheek….So thankful that RA has not taken my love for skiing away! That day was magical. Beautiful fresh powder and huge snowflakes fell from the sky and created a beautiful day for skiing with my family, and reflecting on where I’ve been and where I’m going.
I just saw the following quote from Lance Armstrong: “I take nothing for granted. I have only good days and great days”. I am going to try to remember this for 2010….good or great, I will not take either for granted.
Me in the center...I laughed when I saw this picture because it looks like I could be Muslim...I'm not.
Oh happy day… sitting here with my foot on the ottoman and a frozen gel pack on top.
This little flare up is odd. My foot isn’t very swollen, but is hot & sensitive to the touch and doesn’t want to bend. Strange. And, naturally it is rearing its ugly head as I’m preparing to attend a weekend retreat that starts tomorrow. It’s always nice when people’s first impression of you includes a limp and a swollen foot. But, guess what RA?! I’m going anyway. Aaaarrgghh..
As I searched for a picture of my beloved gel pack, I found this great recipe for making your own. Just click this link for the recipe & instructions.
Posted on : 07-10-2009 | By :
admin | In :
exercise
My trip to the gym today was clouded by a skyline of wonderful brown dust. Nevertheless, it’s a good day to be alive. My trek to the gym started as a result partly to the book, “What’s Age Got to Do With It” by
Robin McGraw….you know, Dr. Phil’s wife. She talks in the book about how exercise is just a part of her life and how if you want to succeed, you have to schedule the gym as if it were an appointment. She’s right. As simple as it sounds, if you don’t treat it as a regular appointment you will find every excuse in the world not to go. And, you know what I mean…..really good excuses like “I need to get my haircut and this was the only time she could do it”…that kind of thing. So, my family and friends know that on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday…I have an appointment from 12pm to 1pm with the gym equipment that can only be canceled by a dire emergency …or a flare.
Robin’s book is full of good information about aging gracefully by fighting it every step of the way, as well as dealing with menopause and hormones. I found her book to be an inspiration and a jump start to my goal of better health & fitness
Posted on : 05-10-2009 | By :
admin | In :
exercise
Ahh…..Dr. Oz. You know…he’s the brilliant cardio-thoracic surgeon that appears on Oprah and talks about poop. He was the first person that ever told us that our poop should be shaped as a C. Who knew? His new show is in it’s first season and he is featured as an expert with Dr. Michael Roizen on the website RealAge.com. If you’ve never gone to the Realage.com site and completed the RealAge test, I challenge you to do it now. It may be the wake up call you need to get your wheels turning on the road to good health. When I first took the test, my RealAge appeared about three years older than I am…information that quite frankly…irritated me. I don’t mind being 46, but 49…not acceptable. So, I did what most of us do and started figuring out what I had to do to manipulate the test to shave off those years. I quickly found out that there wasn’t a quick fix and that my lack of exercise was making my RealAge older. So, the combination of this reality and Robin McGraw’s inspiration…I committed myself to exercising three days a week. My RealAge returned and is now two years lower than my actual age…gotta love that.
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