Getting ready to leave for my afternoon gym time! I'm in post-cardiac rehab. These are the sessions I pay for, out of my pocket. After I finished the doctor-prescribed rehab (paid for by insurance), I switched to a general gym membership. I had the best of intentions, but pretty soon, I was procrastinating about going over there. "Tomorrow," I'd tell myself...and so it went until I realized one day that I'd only been there once that week! So I signed up for this Cardiac Phase3. I pay more. But I have a set time (2 p.m.) and get checked in (blood pressure, weight, pulse) and out, plus have guidance from the cardiac rehab physiologist. Lots more discipline this way. Three times each week (MWF). And I do it! I've been going for two-plus years. So far, so good. No more heart "events." I can do without those! My stamina and energy level has really increased the last few years.

Love,
Pat 

I'm proud of you, Pat !

Steff and I plunked down  500 smackers for an elliptical trainer  a few years back, and I never really got into it.

When they moved us  up here they did something to the bottom  that made it easier for me to  use.

So now I am addicted to  the machine.

I've been using it since Feb  several times a week for  20 minutes .

Even in the deepest part of winter, I now have no excuse not to work out.

I also have a great personal trampoline ( I haven't used though in awhile) , and a Bow Flex ( which got moved to the  basement by accident) and now I have to hire someone to help me get it up to the guestroom.

I also do several forms of yoga now  ( with DVD's) , and my least favorite  exercise ...Pilates ...spread out throughout the week .

I am not so good with muscle  isolation.

SO that 's why I do Pilates  , because  I want to learn how to get  control .

I like to relax with a  nice cup of tea (currently  white  persimmon-vanilla  is my personal fave ) , and  think about  projects I could do if someone  cattle prodded my  rump into gear.

Although , this ample  tuck-us is shapelier thanks to that  elliptical trainer!

 Sounds like you have your own gym at home, April!

I hate exercise. I hate going to the gym. I hate having the rehab nurses preach at me about the value of exercise. It's boring and I hate it all!!!

BUT I have no choice. I do this routine at least 3X weekly. If I don't, I might lose a leg--or both. Not only did I have heart attacks, I have advanced peripheral artery disease in my legs. And I am in pain, a lot of pain. The leg exercises hurt like the dickens, but if I grit my teeth and keep at it the pain sometimes lessens after 30 minutes or so of cardio on treadmill or nustep. Then I do weight training for leg muscles at least once weekly, the other 2 days are for arms and abs. Over the past couple years I've increased my walking distance ability about 4-fold, maybe  more.

Keeping myself on the 3X weekly routine feels like a part-time job--just managing myself, my daily at-home schedule as well as my mental outlook--and the shopping and food prep.  So, the art activity has to come second.

I'm so glad you're posting your video Documentaries of Daily Life...I've really enjoyed them on widownet, and oh goody, now they're here for Artella people to enjoy!

Hugs,

Pat 

So you have  quite  the fight to keep plugging on .

((Sorry to hear about the pain , my dear gal))

I never thought I'd get an addiction to exercise equipment.For once  my afflictions  are helping me !

 My goal is to do 30-60 minutes of exercise a day .

 I need to lose weight , and  I am committed .My recently discovered food allergies  are problematic , yet help me  with  more specific guidelines .Gives me basically less choices to stress over  as well.

I have to address this before issues affecting mobility happen  .

I feel strong these days .That can't be a bad feeling.

But you know there are some yoga  positions I just can't do because of the whole wide load  thing ...all dat flesh gets inna road .

Those yoga chicks are usually pretty lithe , so I hope that  as time wears on I can perform some of those  harder  movements...

 April,

I really like your sig line:

"We are cups,constantly and quietly being filled.The trick is knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out."
~Ray Bradbury~

Makes me think of that  "I'm a little teapot, short and stout " song and brings up animated visions of singing teapots and cups -- "tip me over and pour me out!" with lovely visions and pictures dancing around!

Hugs,
Pat 

Pat 

I got it from a 365 zen sayings for 2006 !Of course Confucious was well represented as well.

There are a few others I really liked from there as well.

I had  bought the calender for a yoga "project" in college.

Yes, the instructor  made us do a report  of sorts.

I really just wanted the yoga  , and some book learning , and  I thought the project was way too high school.

On a certain size index cards  , your own interpretation....

 I've been mulling over the August Is Artist Appreciation Month info in the Daily Muse. I like that idea! What I'll do is make bookmarks or tags...give 'em to friends.

Another idea-- a calendar page for August with the Artist Appreciation visuals in the top... and stick that up on my fridge door.

Getting ready to head out to the gym. See ya later.

Pat 

I guess I'm sorta holding my breath this morning--waiting for that Idol competition WINNERS LIST to be posted somewhere!  It's time--surely the votes are counted? Have a dear friend whose poem is in the top group!

Am pondering on my own Intentions for August (and the rest of my life). Hmmmm....

Smiles,
Pat   

Pat I placed 3rd !

 WHOOPEEE! Yay, yay--way to go, April!!!

Hugs,
Pat 

My name isn't up though, but the name of my poem is ....weird....

I did submit my name  ( I saved the email submissions).

 I am , well , over the moon  !

Such a glutton for acknowledgement !  

Wonderful April!!! Congratulations.

 Heather

  Thank you !

Congratulations, April!! 

Oh April, how exciting!! Its a wonderful poem!!