Life is Healthy

On Wednesday night I have piano class. It makes for a very long day. So on Thursday, I feel like I didn't get much rest. And I got up and went to the gym.

I'm working hard to get back into a routine. I made it to the gym four times this week. I haven't gotten sick—knock on wood. But I am totally worn out today.

I have tow more personal training sessions coming up. One this coming Monday, and one the Monday after that. I'm hoping this sparks some new motivation.

I still don't have a lot to say. So. . . .

Made it to the gym again this morning.

My diet has still been going well over the past few days. Yesterday went extremely well because I had things to occupy my thoughts besides food. I think that's what I need. I think the piano class and getting some things done around my house will help me immensely. And when the weather changes for the better, I'll be able to walk the dogs again.

I had my first piano class last night. It was fun. I'm relieved that most of the people in the class have never played the piano before. I don't feel so intimidated. The teacher is very nice, and she says that she won't make anyone play in front of the class if he or she doesn't want to. Thank God. I have some homework. We're not having class next week because the teacher has to take her mother to Texas for eye surgery. So I have time to practice. Maybe I won't feel like such a dork if I can learn how to play the scales well and get the timing down—at least a little better. My goal—I may have said this before—is to play "Linus and Lucy."

OK. So I need to get to work.

In the gym again this morning. I need to get back into this. I think if i can make it through the week, I'll be OK.

The diet has been going OK for a couple of days now.

My piano class starts tonight. I'm looking forward to it.

I don't have a lot to say today. I hope I have more tomorrow.

Since the piano came along, I've been pretty lax in my posting. The nice thing about learning piano is that when I'm practicing, I'm not even thinking about eating. I'm concentrating on the song I'm trying to play. And believe me, at this point it's trying to play. But it's turned into such a wonderful experience. I didn't know it would be this satisfying. And to say something satisfies me besides food is a definite endorsement for learning something new. No matter your age or even your talent, give it a shot. You might be surprised. For the first time in my life, I can read music.

Also if you if take up music at an older age, it may prevent dementia. And if you have a family history of dementia--like an Uncle Joe who started peeing in the refrigerator after he turned 70 or an Aunt Bessie who started wondering around the neighborhood naked--and you're, oh, I don't know, say 50, you might want to consider taking up music.

I have been to the gym, and I'm watching what I'm eating. I haven't weighed myself in a while. But I will in good time. Probably after Christmas. Then I'll check the real damage.

I have to go to an orthopedic surgeon today to have the cyst on finger checked. I don't know if he'll actually do anything about it today or not. I suppose not. He'll probably set up another appointment to do that. I hope he can just drain it rather than an actual surgery.

It just occurred to me that I've actually used the word actual too many times in that last paragraph. But who really cares? I suppose if there's some copy editor out there reading this--M--she might be tempted to edit my post.

Last night I had the old "naked in public" dream. But it was combined with the "having to take a test that you're not prepared for" dream. So I feel exposed and unprepared for it I guess. I did run across this really nice guy who helped me find some clothes, though. So I guess it's not all bad. I was tyring to hide in the dark, and he said, "You're going to have to come out of there." And then I said, "But I'm naked. I don't have any clothes." At first he said, "I don't care. You've got to get out of there." But I begged him to help me, I said, "Can't you find me a big shirt or something to wear? Please." And he did. He actually found me a shirt and some underwear. Who said chivalry is dead? At least it isn't in my dreams.

OK. That's the most I've had to say in a while. I hope whatever happens today with my finger doesn't affect my typing too much. If not, I'll try to let you what happens. TTFN.

Wow. I've been gone for a while.

I have an ulcer. I was getting to the point where I felt nauseated all of the time. I'm taking something called Protonix. I haven't felt as well as I feel right now for a very long time. I had no idea that an ulcer could make you feel so bad.

What else have I been doing? Learning to play the piano. I can sort of play Jungle Bells now. And I can sort of read music.

I made it to the gym today, and my leg feels better. I mean really better. Can an ulcer cause muscle cramps in muscles other than your stomach? Let me know if you have that one figured out.

I'll try to post more later.

Finally, I made it back to the gym. I got in 45 minutes of cardio—20 minutes on the elliptical and 25 minutes on the treadmill. Ten of the treadmill minutes were walking backward. I read somewhere that walking backward is not only good for because it uses a different set of muscles, but it actually burns more calories. Let's hope that's true.

Yesterday's calories were about 900. I just don't feel like eating. Too bad it's not showing up on the scale.

I still feel a little icky, and I'd really like to get well once and for all.

Mostly I laid around over the weekend because I ended up with vertigo. I took some Mucinex and my ears started draining. That is the weirdest feeling. But it's taking away the vertigo. Vertigo is the worst feeling for me. If I died and were doomed to Hell for my bad deeds, my punishment would probably be suffering through all eternity with vertigo.

I want to learn how to play the piano. A friend of mine is helping me. I figure I've probably only got 20 good years, so I should make of the best of them. I'll let you know how that goes.