Aches and Pains

Not a day goes by when I don't feel one of my aches. Now for being 50 it might not be a surprise... but for me it is! The last year or so I have been how tight my muscles are. This has nothing to do with muscle tone......my muscles are rebelling on being used. I heard that your body will tell you NO at least 5 times before it will do what you want. We have to be persistent AND be the boss. I am experimenting with this. This week, due to the fact my jazzercise o'dark hundred cohort is on vacation, I have worked out every day. I have been telling people that 'I could not do that with my knee. I need to give it rest'. HA! I guess I have been lying....or has my body been lying to me?

In defining some of my aches, I am taking advantage of a great massage therapist. No, this is not the kind of massage where you get in the zone and fall asleep. This is a massage where if he pushes too hard you yell OUCH. I find each time I visit Brian (Relaxation Restoration in Wheaton.....he really is a muscle mechanic!) he gives me a new stretch to try. His goal is to get me to a point where I can continue to move without pain. I had my left knee scoped a few years ago and have some arthritis along with bone on bone. The surgeon was looking for repeat business.......when I left there he told me 'even if I lose all my weight I will be a skinny person needing a knee replacement'. What the heck?! Let's start with losing the negative talk bud.....I plan to lose all my weight and maintain it for a good long time. I really may have to address this someday but not today.

As much as my knee hurts and my feet scream at me I don't give in. Ok, most days I don't give in. I am now very glad when my jazzercise instructor encouraged me to get back to class. I don't jump like I used to and some moves will hurt but I love the music and the exercise. I have been doing it since 1996...it is in my blood! I have hobnobbed with the Jazzer-big cheese (Judi Sheppard Missett) and her family. I have been all over the US for conventions and have met the most wonderful people. Why? We all love the exercise.

The second best thing about having a dog is being able to go out on long walks. Walking is the most simple exercise. We can listen to our music, watch ball games, meet other people walking their dogs.....nice and social. If I go out alone, I can take a shopping bag with me and run errands at the same time.

When I walked into my first exercise class I never thought I would say that I could not live without moving. Isn't that grand?! And now that I know my body was lying to me about exercise, what else is it lying to me about??!!