Okay, so my Doctor told me to get a personal trainer. He said I was losing muscle strength, and training would help alleviate my pain, aid in mobility. In other words, I might be able to move without looking and sounding like my dead, great-grandmother! I sat on the table, contemplating kicking him in the shin, as soon as I garnered the strength, when he handed me a physician's order for physical therapy, and exited the room. Guess he could tell I wasn't pleased with his assessment.
Did I look that terrible? Seriously? But okay, I decided to play his game, maybe it would help. I checked myself out, in the mirror, while putting my clothes back on, and warmed to the idea, picturing myself in black, workout clothes, fit and trim. Perhaps I can get in shape, redefine my muscles, become a new, sexy, late middle-age woman! Hell, anything's possible. Who knows, by Christmas, I might be able to sashay across the room, instead of amble with a limp.
So, taking the Doctor's order, I promptly, hired me a personal trainer. A few things I should share: he was an ex-military, bronze star, triathlete with a favorite saying, "Suck it up bluebell." Want to guess who bluebell is?
In the first few days of training, I discovered the following truths. You CAN walk 3 miles, short of breath and not lose consciousness. Balancing on all fours, while on a gigantic blue rubber ball is not for the faint of heart, and almost impossible to do. There are more ways to do sit-ups than you imagined, and I got to do them all! A peak heart rate of 160 bpm is okay! You truly aren't dying of a heart attack! The gasping whale sound you hear is probably you; it will get better. The tomato-red color your face turns during workouts does fade to normal, just takes a few hours. And last but not least, personal trainers send you home with a written plan, for your days off, and spy on you to make sure you're following through.
On the agenda soon, kayaking! Will it matter that I'm not a strong swimmer, afraid of rolling over in the kayak and drowning upside down or 37 degrees outside?
Do I hear "Suck it up bluebell?"
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