So I’ve been trying to force a little bit of exercise into my life, as my metabolism appears to be shot and being ill makes me fairly bed-bound, leading to more weight gain than I would like.

My mother has been driving me in town every second night (unless I’m too ill to go), so that we can walk the free track at the Wellness Center.  I initially wanted to go swimming, as it is easier on the joints, but there are so many children there every night and I can’t stand the loud noises!   It’s hard enough for me to leave the house and encounter a group of people in the first place, so I try to go to the least populated location.  The walking/running track has even/cushioned floors, with the added bonus of few people on it at any given time!  I tried walking outside on the road a few times this summer and the uneven surfaces threw the muscles in my back out every single time.  As of yet, this track hasn’t managed to break me, so I still enjoy it.

Setting the pace is my job and my mother walks with me.  She likes to get out and go as well, since we always claim that we are going to exercise in the house, only to get lost in the million distractions available.  This way we actually get the exercise, even though driving there takes as long as the walks do!  I like the way it can clear my head, cut down on my stress a little bit, and release some feel-good endorphins (even if they don’t last all that long!).  Plus, it forces me to leave the house – which I do not do unless I have a very good reason.  I’m a homebody with illnesses and social anxiety, so the outside world isn’t all that appealing to me.  This practice lets me dip my toes in the water and see if I could potentially get out there more.  I’m still not to the point where I have a full good day, but you never know, maybe someday.

Until then, I’m just going to try to get a little stronger and hope that it helps with the medication and lifestyle weight gain too.

I don’t want to end up feeling like this kitty!!  Poor kitty, he needs a diet.

Of those of you who can manage some exercise, what do you do?

xoxo,

Annie