Confession and all that...

Fifteen years ago, I broke my neck in a freak fall down some steps. I was lucky as I recovered after six months following surgery and prayer. While I still have left-sided weakness on occassion, and a little vertigo, I am nearly perfect in that area. But, my doctor wanted me to lose 75 pounds. I did.

Now, I have gained back 20 of 'em.

This is what has started the walking and exercising again. I can't lift my left leg when I am tired. So, here I am, plugging up and down the road with Kathy Smith, who, btw, I don't like today. How can anyone be so perky when making another so miserable??

Yesterday I had a little incident that I didn't share, but it is just too funny to keep secret.

Bear in mind, we are in the country and have no neighbors for three miles. So, when nature calls, we slip behind a bush and answer, if it is convenient and an emergency. It was.

I carefully looked up and down the road, listened for car noises, slipped off the road and behind a nice tall bush. Moose joined me. Nosey.

Because my legs were shaking from walking so hard, I couldn't quite get "the posture." But, I thought I was "in position" enough to be safe.

Then, I realized there was no splashing.

To add insult to injury, not only did I nearly crawl the rest of the way home, but I had to do it in soggy duds.

Today? I drank when I got home. Better safe than sorry.

How'd it happen??

I can't walk two miles anymore without needing oxygen.

Excuse me while I flop in the floor, weep, and try to catch my breath...

The Bonds of Friendship

Valerie and I were hired within six months of each other and have spent our tenure as frequent workshop roommates and best work buddies. We talk students, walk off grief, and have lunch together several times a month. While we seldom see each other off campus. we live more than 50 miles apart, we are, I consider, close friends.

And, so, when she asked me to participate in the college's "health challenge," I eagerly agreed. Okay, not eagerly. But I did answer her email. In short, it is a six month commitment to work toward better health. Along the way, we are to lose weight, lower our cholesterol, and improve our general well-being. Great. Fine. I am all up for that. Val's a buddy. Right?

Little did I know what a set-up it was.

Valerie is not quite 4'6" and weighs a very slight 105 pounds. She is nearly 60 years old and bikes weekly. She walks and exercises more than an hour a day. Heck, she is halfway through her black belt. Maybe I don't like her as much as I thought.

Anyhow...

Also on our team in Rita. She is a tiny 5'1" and around 120 pounds. She rides bikes, runs, canoes, and cave dives at nearly 60. She auditioned for "Survivor." Come to think of it, I don't know if I really like her either.

But I digress.

And then, there is me. Thank you, but my weight isn't really the issue here, but my newfound disappointment that I didn't inherit any slim genes is growing daily. I should have realized when I signed up that I would have to face certain disappointments. We had to weigh. And measure our waists (I know it is here somewhere). Then figure our BMI. Thankfully, I am not morbidly obese. Sigh.

My idea of a work out is walking to the kitchen twice for a snack. The snack? Sourdough bread with butter and honey. My idea of endurance is driving past Wendy's for McDonald's. My idea of a good weight? One that is less than my sissie's.

So, it should come as no surprise my agony when learning that I had to account, report, to Valerie how many fruits and veggies I eat daily as well as what kind of vigorous activity I complete daily. For the record, cocoa beans in chocolate form do not count as a fruit... or veggie. Valerie insists she is right. I am still researching this one.

I have been very good this week. I have walked every day. I have eaten five servings of veggies (in spite of her insistence that chocolate doesn't count! According to Google, she's right. ). I have done my BMI (we shall not speak of it again).

Yes, I know it is just Wednesday. Thanks for the reminder.