Happy New Year and Here We Go Again....SWIM!

I began writing this blog just shy of 4 years ago when I sent you all my daily diary of rehabbing from arthroscopic knee surgery.  Well, I got 4 good years of jumping, dancing, kicking, biking, cycling and swimming out of this old bag of bones, but like everything else....all good things come to a turning point....
I wore out the stupid knee again.  So it's back to the surgeon to have a bit more scoped out of the left knee to make some space between the bones so they stop grinding against one another.  Surgery is scheduled for the last Wednesday of January. Now that I'm a seasoned veteran of how all this works (and the right knee has just about had it as well), I'm changing my motis operandum to prep for this upcoming shindig.  I've been spinning, doing yoga and my new 'fun' (not) sport of swimming.  Swimming is a wonderful exercise that hits all areas of the body without the impact of most other activities - and it's good for your knees.  (Funny, my mother used to say calves' livers were good for me.  Why is it that what you dislike the most is the best for you?)

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  SWIM, SWIM, AND SWIM SOME MORE!  And if swimming in a pool is boring, here's the skinny - purchase an Aquaflood!  Aquaflood is a WATERPROOF IPOD made specifically for swimming.  It take the monotony out of the laps and if you're lucky enough to swim outdoors, there's nothing like looking at the clouds doing a backstroke and listening to Buena Vista Social Club while you're at it.
I used to really hate to swim.  Now I actually LIKE to swim....and like the damn liver...it's good for me!
I'll be keeping you all abreast of my progress through this second journey down the 'no knees' path.  Happy New Year and stay tuned for more healthy tips!

I Like To Swim, I Like To Swim, I Like To Swim

When you learn how to swim, you are invariably taught the mantra to chant with every stroke into the water, 'I like to swim'.  As a novice swimmer who had less than 3 months to learn how to swim a mile for a  triathlon some years back, swallowing cold chlorine water, nearly drowning and struggling 3 days a week in the pool had me making my own mantra of 'I hate to swim, I hate to swim'.... Several triathlons and many miles later, I'm proud to say that yes, I CAN swim a mile.  I just don't like pools that are cold and filled with other people; it's like being in a community bathtub...ugh!

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Although I really hate to swim, I get into the pool and do laps.  I practice drills with and without a pullbuoy, use a kickboard and practice all the exercises I was taught when training for triathlons.  Swimming is good for you; it's non-impact on the joints; the cool water can aid in reducing inflammation of joints and you really will get a  good workout in a half hour.  Just remember your mantra....I LOVE to swim, I HATE to swim, I LOVE to swim.....it's just one of those relationships.....