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.....

Just Do It!

Yesterday, I had some free time in the afternoon.  It was a magnificient summer day in Manhattan; the robin's egg blue sky and low humidity just made me wish I were somewhere on a golf course, by a lake or stream, or anywhere other than the city.  I had already done the P90X Plyometrics workout in the morning, so I had playtime at my disposal.  I dumped my work clothes and got into my shorts, t shirt and sneakers.  Mountain bike and me was all I needed.  I took a rapid but easy pace up the beautiful West Side Highway bike path and stopped off at 97th St to sit on a bench and just take in the sailboats, waterfowl and atmosphere of the park.  I could have gone up over the GW Bridge, but the objective was to go for a leisurely bike ride and enjoy the afternoon.  Sitting on the bench allowed me some mental detox time; the physical exercise was just a nice stretch of the legs.  At the end of the afternoon, I felt refreshed and so happy that I was able to just 'go out and play' on a nice day.  Even though I didn't get out of the Big Apple, the river view, the park and the silent solitude was like a mini vacation.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you have time to get out and play, then just do it!  Do it because you physically can participate in the activity and because you never know what tomorrow will bring.  We hear everyday so many stories about people becoming victims of terrible accidents, hurricanes, tornadoes and other natural or man-made disasters that we should do all we can to make today the best it can be.  So, don't say to yourself "I'll do it tomorrow" when it comes to play (save that for cleaning the house or the garage), go out there today and JUST DO IT!