Short List

Consulted a doctor by phone and he said that it sounded like I'm experiencing hay fever and called in a prescription for a nasal spray and also suggested a 24-hour antihistamine.

Other stuff, Benadryl and decongestants, haven't been doing anything except for making my breathing feel even funkier. I was hopeful about Claritin and also suspicious. What could be in that little royal blue pill?

Took the pill on Wednesday at 9:15 p.m. and at 3:00 a.m. on Friday woke up itching like a madwoman. I've taken Claritin once, about 10 years ago, but it was not the 24-hour version but I'm adding all versions to the list of things that I'm allergic too...

Went to Gloria's on Thursday and she made Polenta Puttanesca and had also bought ingredients for a Chickpea Artichoke Salad which I put together when I got there. I didn't think that I would like the chickpea concoction but I did.

Chickpea Salad on Bed of Spinach

The Puttanesca

Fast forward:

Went to Zumba today and I felt just fine. One of my Zumba buddies told me that she'd had the flu for two weeks; lots of nasty bugs in The Lou...

I'd been wondering if I should cancel the massage that I had scheduled over a month ago. Yesterday, I felt pretty decent and thought that I'd turned a corner, wrong!

Ever had a massage while congested? It is not relaxing at all and there's something about having your head in a face cradle that makes the congestion worse.

I must have had about six cups of water during the first part of the day plus coffee and tea. The congestion would not ease up but it was too late to cancel the appointment.

Talked to therapist to let her know that I didn't have a cold but...

She was so cool and told me that she'd gotten sick right before vacation and started using essential oils etc. She discussed ways that we could deal with the congestion and told me if I needed a "nose break" not to worry and she also gave me some essential oil (peppermint and ?) to rub on my chest; it helped immediately and me start thinking about the theme song to Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. ...It's a miracle.

Ended up not needing a nose break but I did need a bathroom break because of all the water that I had been chugging.

Looking for a diffuser is on my short list.

Mixing Reality

It keeps doing this...

My most recent dream is that the water is off and I am reminded of it when I turn on the faucet. There's water in the reservoir but not enough to, say, finish washing the dishes. Also dreamed that I was sitting on the floor across from a pregnant woman who had recently experienced a death in the family; she wanted to know about energy work and I told her about one of the interventions where the meridians are lightly brushed.

I wonder, with the latter dream, if I am mixing reality with reality TV. I watched, to me, one of the funniest episodes of An Idiot Abroad. Karl is in Thailand and, as a "reward" for training with a boxer, he's sent for a Thai massage in a women's prison where there are mattresses on the floor for the massages. Karl doesn't find the Thai massage very relaxing because he's thinking that his therapist might have murdered someone plus the massage gets intense. It's pretty funny when Karl asks while the therapist is massaging his glutes: You don't get stress in your ass, do you?

I've also been watching The Long Way Round with Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman who are whipped into shape (by a trainer) before their journey and McGregor asks Why do we need to work our asses like that? 

Went to Gloria's 9 o'clock class yesterday. Before class started, Juliano said We need a bigger room. The room at our fitness facility is pretty large. Plus, Juliano missed the days when Gloria only had one class on Sunday. Gloria reminded us that the class is not full until everyone is one hand space a part and she appreciates us making room for others.

Juliano just started going to a yoga studio too and they are packed as well.

Since I don't like the back of the bus feeling, I will get to my Saturday yoga class earlier. It also seems that many are on the cranky edge and dealing with tight quarters. I will say that I felt much better after Sherry gave me the mother of all hugs. Sherry then introduced me to one of her buddies who also gave me a hug. Overall, it was nice to be back in Gloria's class even though she had us do lots of ab work in preparation for bird of paradise pose. Have you seen that bird situation?

Went to get a massage and the therapist told me You know the rules -- relax and enjoy. Of course, words alone don't make a good massage but she is talented.

I often think of massage therapists as angels and ambassadors of harmony. Many of them run clinics in decorum. I know, it's their job but...

The therapist sent me on my way with hot tea. The snow looked magical. I sang, felt more loving, centered et al.

On the way to the massage, saw a church billboard with a T.S. Elliot quote:

If I got rid of my demons, I'd lose my angels.

Tell Them to Make a Note or Stuff Massage Therapists Say

One of my friends told me that massage is a luxury and, to a certain extent, it is. Even though I go back and forth about whether or not I’m being decadent, I do know what stress has done to my body and I know what it’s capable of doing. It’s been a crazy, seemingly never-ending week and, if I could, I’d head straight to a massage therapist. At any rate, I wanted to share some of things that massage therapists have said to me…

Compared to the right, the left side of your back felt tight and your hamstrings...What have you been doing to your body?

Me: Were you on automatic?



MT: I tune out. I mean that I tune out in order to tune in...I'm listening to the music etc.



Explanation to me after foot was massaged, an area that I usually have avoided...

Me: It (calf) smarts when I put pressure on it.


MT: Then, I apologize in advance for what I'm about to do.

When you call, tell them to make a note to warm the oil...

Your shoulders look good...

Oh, that's good; that's deep into the muscles.



Response when I said that my armpits were sore

I can see the tension. When I told MT about tweaked neck…

Me: You certainly are chipper today.



MT: I've been massaging all day. It's kind of like the feeling you get working out at the gym.

You're tight today so let me know if I go too deep…

Your deltoids are popping...

Are you doing something like CrossFit?

It's the regular "waa waa" music...

Take off your earrings...

Take as much time as you need...

Be good to yourself...

Stuff Reiki Masters Say

Seating Area Outside of RM's Office

I looked at the available schedule of the LMT/Reiki Master* that I had a group coupon for and realized that I was days away from letting not just one but two group coupons expire. I had gotten the one coupon for bodywork almost a year ago when I first went gaga over acupressure.

I had a hard time deciding if I wanted a shiatsu or reiki treatment but the bodyworker helped me to decide. She also said that so many people had not read what the deal actually offered so she decided to mix up the sessions. When she mentioned massage, I smiled at the unexpected surprise.

 I told her that my gut said to go with shiatsu and that I had experienced reiki during a massage and she said that reiki is usually offered as an add-on of sorts and, for full sessions, she usually does reiki for people who are in pain with arthritis or for people who might find it hard to tolerate touch.

For my session, I went with half an hour of shiatsu and half an hour of massage.

When she started the massage part, she said that my neck was horribly tight and, if she had known that it was so tight, she would have worked on my neck and shoulders for the entire time. She even mentioned the 'c' word -- chiropractor and wanted to know if I had a headache. While I did not have a full blown headache, I was headachy. She wanted to stretch my neck and for me to breathe deeply as she did it.  I was supposed to blow out the breath like a hurricane but since I do so much yoga now, my instinct is to inhale and exhale through my nose............... Couple that with the fact that I have a habit of holding my breath and it's a recipe for some jacked up breathing. She couldn't believe how puny my deep breath efforts were...


My half and half session was relaxing. I don't think that I would devote an entire hour to shiatsu though. The bodyworker's space was warmly decorated, an oasis in fact. The music that she played was very relaxing. I've heard some questionable relaxation CDs but her choice was impeccable. Loved the subtle insect and bird sounds...

When the Reiki Master entered the room, she told me that my only job was to relax. You've already helped enough today, she said. The problem that I have with bodywork and the gorgeous rooms that the work takes place in is that I never want to come out.


*I love the title of Reiki Master...

The Massage Nazi

Three weeks after I send a text, she says that she might be available in two days.

I tell her that I might be there.

She also asked me to come fifteen minutes earlier than originally proposed but still saw me at the original time.

When it's time for the massage, the first place that she lays her hand on is my sacrum although her usual first point of contact is the back.

She has really strong hands and the first time that I received a massage from her, I knew that it was going to be special the minute she put her hands on my back.

When the massage is over, she moves from my head to my side and gently touches me. When I open my eyes, she flashes a 100 megawatt smile, tells me to take my time and that there's no rush.

As I put on my shoes, there's a knock at the door.

Me: Did you think that I had fallen asleep?

TMN: I was like she took me seriously.

She changes the sheets as we chit chat and she tells me how much the session will be.

I hand over the dead presidents.

TMN:I like it when my clients pay in cash.

The Massage Nazi knows what she wants and she also knows how to start and finish a massage...

You Haven't Done Child's Pose Until

As I was driving away from the rock climbing gym, I second-guessed my decision to head to yoga. It was dark, raining, yaddayaddayadda.

I have two visits left on a group coupon and since Yoga Wall is on hiatus, I decided to try Candlelight Restorative Yoga.

I walk in and about seven women were already on the floor. Some of them looked as if they were about to give birth.

I rolled out my mat and it looked completely jadan. The teacher, Madonna, quickly came over since I have a tendency to stick out. She gathered props for me: a strap, eggs, blocks, a blanket, a bolster and eye bag.

Madonna assembled some props and asked me to put my back to the bolster. I put the soles of my feet together and put the strap at my back then over my head and, finally, around my feet. The eggs supported my knees and I reclined with an eye bag. It was like reverse Savasana and Madonna did ring a bell to bring us out of each pose. She told me ahead of time that they usually hold one pose for about 10 minutes.

Next, we did Crocodile. Most of the props were moved to the side except for the bolster which we placed our ribs on while placing our foreheads on an egg.

After Crocodile, we put our legs up on the wall and put our eye bags back in place. The bags, by the way, smelled divine.

At some point, we did Child's Pose by placing the bolster at our knees then laying on it. Amazing. I felt like it was the first time that I've gotten the full benefit of the pose. As I was in Child's Pose, I thought Yoga, where have you been for most of life?

During class, Madonna came around to massage feet, legs and shoulders -- the shoulders with some mentholy situation. I know that the massage and yoga communities are intertwined but I'm not sure where the whole massage during yoga comes from. Never mind. Why look a gift horse in the mouth?

We did Savasana and Madonna preambled by saying that it was the most important pose. After we came out of Savasana, we ended the class with three "Om's." Madonna's got some pipes on her. After "Om," you know what came next:

Namaste

Lazy Woman's Yoga

I should have been the Groupawn. You know the dude, Josh Stevens, that lived off Groupons for one year.

I've wanted to try Thai Yoga massage for a while and, well, an opportunity presented itself.

I managed to book the appointment on the same day as the grand opening for the new rock climbing gym. Actually, the facility had to reschedule and I just said "yes" to a new date because if you wait for everyone's schedule to be perfect, nothing will happen. It all worked out though. I took a shower at the gym and headed out with not a minute to spare and chided myself for not leaving earlier. Got in the car, opened up my lavender hand cream which had liquefied and, therefore, spilled all over my shorts and car seat. I really liked that cream and my brown Bermuda shorts too. Seeing that I was about to have an up close and personal session, I could not get back ino the shorts that I had just gotten out of. Thought about stopping at Marshalls but I really didn't have time.

About 500 feet away from the address, I parked before my chances ran out in a city, Clayton, that is trendy and has a lot of traffic and limited parking opportunities. I hurriedly got out of the car and arrived at the door at the same time that a woman with a pale blue cruiser arrived. I held the door open for her and also picked up her water bottle as she rolled her bike in. My timing was not so bad after all.

As I was lying on my stomach, a few things crossed my mind. I thought this yoga was a form that Gingersnapper might be able to get on board with even though the whole being touched by a stranger might still weird her out. Also, out of the massage experiences that I've had, I felt that this one was the most decadent because a lot of the stretches can be achieved via regular yoga.

A couple of things:

Don't think that I've ever had my feet so thoroughly pummeled and I didn't have a problem with ticklishness because it was, mainly, drumming and stretching of the feet.

I remember looking at this deal for reflexology massage and thinking that there's absolutely nothing appealing about this picture.

The Thai yoga practitioner/yoga teacher that I went to see is one of the best breathers in the whole wide world.

When she placed her foot in my armpit and pulled my arm, well, that felt odd but amazing.

At the end, she said some well-intentioned stuff that I don't remember and then we both said Namaste.

And, okay, I don't know what it is but whenever I say Namaste, it makes me smile. Guess I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth...

The Rough Guide to Group Coupons

When I'm in decadent mode, I like to up the ante so a post-Florida massage was definitely in order.

I broke out a Living Social voucher which had been tucked away. The first time I attempted to contact the therapist, she said that she didn't have any evenings available for a while. Since I was on vacation, I didn't need an evening time slot. Here's how the convo went:

Me: Yadda, yadda yadda...I thought I would try since I'm on vacation.

Therapist: I bet your vacation is now.

A brief aside: I don't like it when people make assumptions and I was trying to get an appointment with more than a week's notice and I didn't think that time frame was out of the realm of possibility.

Therapist as she's looking through calendar: I'm booked for April. I don't work very many evenings. I have children and obligations.

Me: Do you work on the weekends?

Therapist: I don't do very many weekends and, on Saturdays, I share the room with four other therapists blah blah blah...

She puts me on standby in case a weekend opens up.

I'm all kinds of annoyed because why would you do a group coupon with such limited availability knowing how some of those group coupons can explode. I decided not to get a Groupon for a recreation center because they sold over 1,000 and I wanted the pass for the pool and with only three laps lanes, I don't think I would have had much access.

At any rate, there's something to be learned from most encounters.

So, here are a few of 'Drea's tips (and I'm sure you've been waiting) for group coupons.

Read the details carefully. I picked up a Groupon for Kaldi's knowing that they have delicious baked falafel. In my haste to pick up the Groupon, I didn't realize that it was for one specific location, one that doesn't have baked falafel. I ended up giving the Groupon away.

Don't wait until the last moment to redeem your coupon. Give it away, trade it or sell it on Craigslist before you let it expire. And, on that note, keep track of expiration dates. I know that Groupon will email you when expiration dates near but others will not. There are some group coupons that are valid for six months and others for one year. It's not a bad idea to print the coupons so that you have a visual reminder. I like to keep mine in a folder in the order of expiration.

Get in there and join the discussion. My rock climbing gym was featured on Groupon. I wanted to get one since I heard that it would be good for the new gym that they are building. The Groupon needs to be redeemed by Oct. 18th. The new gym is supposed to be finished by then but stuff happens with construction so I wanted to know how that would affect the rules of engagement. I got my question answered and I purchased the Groupon. Ask your question early in the day so that the merchant has time to respond and know that some organizations won't respond at all.

If you're getting a group coupon for a massage, lots and lots of people tend to purchase these coupons. If it's for a chain massage place, there's no need to worry because they'll have plenty of therapists and flexibility with times but if it's an independent therapist, check to see if they have a website. Online booking is a bonus but not necessary. If they have a blog with their availability, that's cool too. If you can't get an idea of when the therapist works, proceed with caution because if, say, 600 people buy the deal and the therapist is only available on Monday and Tuesday in the morning, that may not work for you even with a year to use the coupon.

Don't be too impulsive. Group coupons, like anything else, can be addictive. I bought a Groupon for the movies but I seldom go to the movies and the day (close to expiration date of coupon) that I went every single movie was sold out and movies at other locations had already started.

Group coupons can make great gifts (pedicures, manicures, facials, spinning gyms). Just don't give a a chain massage one because the person that you gifted will be harassed at the end of their massage to join the gym chain -- the last kind of experience you want them to have after a massage.

Do your research. The group coupon might say that it's 51% off but companies have been know to tinker with the truth so check out the company's website. Likewise, see if there are any testimonials. In addition, check out the hours of operation and distance. Is it really a deal?

I've had very good experiences with group coupons and I've been introduced to businesses that I might not have ever gone to had it not been for Groupon, Living Social etc.

What has been one of your best group coupon experiences?

The Kicker

Another 10 days had gone by and I still hadn't heard from the massage therapist.

Had I blown things out of proportion?

Was I being a prima donna?

I finally decided that I couldn't let the situation draw out any longer, sent the email that had been sitting in my drafts and felt sorry when I hit send because I didn't want to do it. I wanted *it* to work out but I also didn't want to be disregarded. If someone is disregarding you, it should definitely not be your massage therapist -- someone that you go to for restoration.

I got a rapid response back with an apology, an explanation and an agreement to refund the money at a later date -- if that's what I really wanted. And, then, the nail-biting started. Was it really what I wanted?

The kicker is that I like her. She's funny and into martial arts (like that too) but the last few months have left me wanting to get in the ring with her. I figure that we're evenly matched. I outweigh her but she is trained.

I didn't want to end "the relationship" but I didn't know if I could depend on her to consistently reply to correspondence and, because I'm prone to hold emotional grudges, I thought it best to just get closure especially when I found myself thinking about how rottenly she had behaved while getting a massage from another therapist.

The Cup Is Already Broken

My dedication to self-care thing has hit a bump in the road.

I went to this massage therapist several times, decided that I felt comfortable with her and figured that I should do the practical thing and get a package. You're familiar with massage packages, right? Typically you buy a certain amount of massages up front and get the, say, sixth one free or at a discount.

As soon as I bought the package, the massage therapist stopped being responsive to emails. She would answer one email then not the next. I completely understand if someone is busy but to not respond is just foul. I thought about venting on Yahoo Reviews, Yelp or Twitter but I really didn't want to take that route.

When I've seen the therapist, she's been professional (for the most part) and personable. I also sensed that she is a hustler which is not an entirely negative thing in my mind.

I think it's safe to say that I have been a fighter -- often in defensive stance but, as Tina Turner sings, I don't really want fight no more.

Having said that, I still feel like Bernie Mac in that Secrets and Lies episode of The Bernie Mac Show -- I want to be unpunkable:

Yeah, I know what you did, Jordan.
I know it was you.
It was you that cut down that cherry tree.
Jordan, you're trying to punk me.
I'm going to let you know I'm unpunkable, okay? (3:00)*

When I didn't hear from the massage therapist a second time in a six week span, I was thinking that she is going to make me do something that I don't want to do and that's going to cost me more money.

I drafted a letter noting my frustration and stating a request for the return of my money. I shortened it -- made it less harsh because, really, I don't want to fight. The email is in my drafts and I was going to send it in a few days but I felt like just drafting the email signaled the end of the relationship. I don't get rid of annoyance easily and I certainly wouldn't want the person who is annoying me to touch me.

Of course, I hear from the massage therapist before I send the email. There was a part of me hoping that she wouldn't respond because I don't want to deal with her anymore -- knowing that she might respond when and if she feels like it in the future.

So, okay, what kind of lesson am I supposed to learn from this experience?

Patience? Understanding?

I remember this story that was in Prevention. Geneen Roth goes on a meditation retreat; the teacher holds up his favorite cup and says As far as I'm concerned, this cup is already broken.

I also remember something that Hazira said to me years ago when a friend properly broke my heart. You can enjoy your friends without them being perfect. This concept is a hard one for a perfectionist to swallow. Or, it's a hard pill for a purist, as Patti likes to call me, to swallow.

I don't try to be a perfectionist but I'm a Virgo:

You are bashful, but you have all the necessary wiles and weapons, including a determination to pursue happiness. You seek romance, and commitment is an integral part of it. If you are in love, you go to any lengths to make sure it works. On the flip side, if you are in an unhappy relationship, you will snap the cords with ease.

You can be deadly practical and divinely romantic at the same time. You are a perfectionist, but not perfect yourself. You have your negative traits. You can be sickeningly prompt, and think that you are the best critic in the world.

I also think about Alice Walker's The Same River Twice where she responds to critics of The Color Purple. It sticks with me how Walker says that the character, Mr., even though he's an abuser, that his love for Shug Avery redeems him as a human being.

I used to actively look for that redeeming quality in people. But now?

I returned the therapist's last email and I'm waiting to hear from her again...





*The whole unpunkable thing starts when Bernie Mac has Jordan fake an asthma attack so that they can go to a Clippers game (to see Michael Jordan before he retires) then Jordan uses the secrecy surrounding the fake attack to get away with many things.

(More) Stuff People Say To Me

We all have something going on. I just try to keep my face off the floor., Onetime play mother that I unexpectedly ran into.

It's always good. If it's not good, I'll make it good., A colleague

My friend (Lori): Why do you have a bottle of cooking wine in your bedroom?

Me: Because it didn't make it to the pantry????????

Cousin: Are you still working out seven days a week?

Me: I rest on Friday.

Cousin: So this has become a way of life?

Me: Yes.

Bosnian one: I feel bad that you are not taking anything (sweet).

Bosnian two: See what you're doing to these Bosnians?

You got them in and that's what counts.

Swimming lane neighbor about my 20 slow laps.

I was waiting for you., Lifeguard

The last time I had seen the guard, my quiet entrance made her jump about three feet in the air.

Anonymous: I had a therapeutic massage.

Me: Silent but wondering about the emphasis on therapeutic...

Colleague: I would love to take a couple of weeks off.

Me: What would you do?

Colleague: I would clean, play with my dog, read, make yogurt.

Me: I have news for you; everyone wants those same two weeks off. I would skip the yogurt part though.

Your back is bigger. Is that from swimming? Rock climbing?, My Mother

Did anyone see Please Give? There's this one character who makes snide remarks about her ex's girlfriend and she's fond of mentioning that the new girlfriend has a big back which caught my attention because I've always had a big back and it is probably bigger now. But who cares? It works fabulously...

Squeezing My Toes

I went to the library to get an acupressure book. After this post and this one and not to mention the other one and the last situation, who's surprised?

I saw that The Acupressure Atlas was on the shelf and was too impatient to request it and have it delivered to my regular library. That could take days, after all. My decision to pick up the book was a good one since I haven't browsed the library's shelves in ages; it's such a cool feeling to slow down, look at all those spines and be tempted by a title, pick up one and it inspect it further.

My eyes fell on such a cool book. Cooler than cool. Self-Massage for Athletes.

I have found the routines for massaging feet, quads, hips, knees and shoulders extremely helpful.

Here's an excerpt from the routine for massaging your feet:

Glide both hands over your foot for warmth.

Try gliding your knuckles over the bottom of your foot...

Squeeze all five toes together a few times, then roll your whole foot at the ankle, relaxing and surrendering to the sensation.

Squeeze & Roll each toe, gently pulling, twisting, and stretching it...


You'd be surprised how good squeezing your toes together feels. Or maybe you're not...

Stuff I Like To Hear

Student massage therapist: You have muscles on top of muscles...

Me (inside voice): Thank God; that explains the ten pound (three month) increase in weight.

Student MT: I wish that I had 30 more minutes to work on your back.

Me: (Vigorous laughter) Um, yeah, I wish you had 30 minutes too.

Me: Why do these things always happen to me? (regarding a colleague who gave a four day resignation)

Friend (HC): As my mentor likes to tell me, it's not you; it's human nature.

Acquaintance: You look amazing. Do not lose any more weight; stay in the amazing business -- if you know what I mean. Okay, I'm going to stop before you think that I'm hitting you up for a loan.

As we were leaving:

Me: You don't have to walk this way.

Acquaintance: Hey, don't try to monopolize all of the exercise.

Me: (Chuckling)

Barber's mother: Look at you.

Me: (I perform a 360 degree turn).

Barber's mother: I'm talking to you; you've lost more weight. You don't even look like yourself anymore...



What kind of stuff do you like to hear?

Walking On Eggshells

My friend that I work with had quite the laugh as I walked down the stairs as we headed to lunch. I was walking, as she said, on eggshells.

Monday: Rock Climbing
Tuesday: Cardio and Muscle Class (I told Kate that she does not know her own strength.)
Wednesday: Rock Climbing = eggshell walk


I went to get a massage because life is short I've been trying to maintain my exercise pace.

I tried someone new but, as luck would have it, a mere 30 minutes before the appointment, my soreness evaporated, poof. I was in complete disbelief...

New therapist: Is the pressure firm enough?

Me (verbally): Roger that.

Me (internal train of thought): If she is capable of a firmer touch, I can't handle the truth.

Therapist: Relax your head.

Me (another train of thought): So frustrated that I couldn't relax my head or breathe deeply for that matter. I felt like I was literally fighting for control of my head but was powerless to surrender.

I think I was so tense because I didn't know what to expect since, of course, everyone has their own way of doing things. In addition, for someone stubborn and who insists on doing most things for herself, letting someone else takeover is hard. In addition, as the friend mentioned above would say, I'm too serious.

Newbie told me that she doesn't talk a lot during massages which is always fine with me because I don't talk during massages either and I'm not talkative in general. In fact, I could easily go to an isolated place and be a recluse meditate.

So, this new therapist is cool and has an eclectic massage style. While other therapists proudly note that they've worked for Cirque du Soleil, she's like Cirque du Soleil; there's the main stage and, then, you're liable to catch someone climbing a suspended ladder in your peripheral vision. What I really mean is that I recognize excellence when I see it.

At the end of the massage, she thanked me. Are you kidding? I should have been the first one to press the gratitude button but she beat me to it. I think I'm gonna stick with this one and not because she said thanks but because of the way she said thanks, because I felt profoundly taken care of, the pressure was perfect and the hour felt long. In addition, I got extremely good vibes from her. Reason enough don't you think?

If you get massages, do you have a hard time relaxing at first? Do you have a hard time relaxing in general?

I'm out -- gonna attempt to get in touch with my frivolous side.

Quote of the Day: Not all therapy is relaxing, but all relaxation is therapy....Paul Ingraham

Hearsay

I'm on an exercise streak. Today marks my 38th day of exercise. I know that I should rest but, if an exercise opportunity presents itself, count me in.

I have at least one regular exercise (rock climbing) partner with whom I have a semi-set schedule and I try to keep that commitment. Otherwise, my sole commitment is to myself. I'm not really trying to prove anything. Or, am I?

I went to this step class that I can't go to often. I really like the teacher and, to my surprise, she was out with a hip injury and when I went rock climbing a few days ago, this youngin' was bouldering and fell awkwardly -- two of his buddies had to lend a shoulder. So, I know that I need to be careful but... Also, I do feel extremely fortunate that my body has had phenomenal staying power.

It was nice when I recently got feedback from three people:

My friend that I hadn't seen in a month told me that I had definitely lost weight.

My friend's friend's husband told me that each time he sees me I am thinner and thinner.

Mike, one of my belay partners, that I haven't seen in about three weeks told me I looked more toned.

I am pleased to report that the scale says I've dropped three pounds. I knew it was going to move because I was walking, at least, four miles a day in Las Vegas. Plus, I swam a couple of mornings as well. It's the same thing that happened in New York when I got it in my noggin to start this journey. Apparently, the key to losing weight is to go on vacation, not get a rental car and walk until your feet smart...


I went rock climbing today and I was able to ascend four 5.9 routes. I'm so happy with that accomplishment. Patti climbed two 5.10 routes and Mike feels as if he's turned a corner with his climbing. So, we are all improving.

I went and got another massage after rock climbing since I've been going at it so hard. In between working out, I've also made stretching a priority.

I went to a different massage therapist and, when it was over, she told me that I have an inflamed left spinal something or other. I told her about the small remnant of the injury that's left and she wanted to know why I didn't mention it. I did put it on the info sheet but I don't think anyone really looks over those thoroughly. I didn't verbalize it because the injury seems so minuscule and because, hey, I can do the backstroke again. Can't do the table pose but considering how the shoulder was bothering me before, I feel so grateful that it doesn't feel yucky now.


I ate out again. Seems like I have another streak going. I promised this volunteer at work that I would go to Sweet Art with her before she leaves.

I decided to try the Sweet Burger which has a note underneath it on the menu that says it's the best veggie burger in town. There's also a chalk board that says they don't have high fructose corn syrup, chemicals that you can't pronounce or anything else that's bad for you in their food.





(Inside the Veggie Burger)

The Sweet Burger is, indeed, the best veggie burger that I've had in this town.

I heard that the cupcakes are good too but that's just hearsay since I didn't indulge.





Route Tally for August 7th:

The Seven, 5.7
Grab The Jug, 5.8
Where's My Mind?, 5.8
"Light," 5.9
Girl Power, 5.9
Hermano?, 5.9
Pacman Revival, 5.9
Stratch and Sniff, 5.9 (aborted midway)

Strategy overheard at the gym: Climb smart at the bottom and quick at the top.

A Perfectly Good Pickle And...

Before my massage the other day, there was paperwork to fill out. I didn't see what my marital status along with some other info had to do with the massage so I left those questions blank and moved on.

There were other questions about how much white flour and sugar you eat. Lori told me that she was happy to put none for tobacco usage since it took her awhile to give up smoking.

As Lori was satisfied to put none for tobacco usage, I was equally satisfied to note that I exercise six days a week. What kind of exercise you ask:

*Aerobics Kate's Kick A$$ Class
Rock Climbing
Swimming
Yoga etc.

Are you fatigued? I always chuckle when I'm faced with this question.

Me: Am I fatigued?

Lori: I don't think they mean fatigued because you exercise like a crazy person. Regular fatigue...

There was also a question about what you crave. Um, sugar... Is that what they meant by cravings?

I went swimming on Saturday -- only the second time (this season) I've been outside. My shoulder feels so much better. As a result, I was able to enjoy doing the backstroke and watch the clouds roll by. My shoulder felt even better after the massage.

On another subject, one of my aunts went to the Lake of the Ozarks. I had fried pickles, she said. I felt my face contort when it happened. What? You eat all kinds of ... she said.

I tell my aunt about the repeat Obesity in America show, the episode in which The Texas State Fair is highlighted. Fried butter, fried coke, fried pizza...The guy at that booth sells so much fried stuff that he is able to quit his job as a computer analyst.

I can't believe some vendor in the Lake of the Ozarks took a perfectly good pickle and fried it...

*Went to Kate's class tonight and was shocked by how crowded it was. There was almost no real estate available. However, there was a modest gap and it was right behind Kate.

Kate and I met over by the weights and haggled over who would get the 10 pounders. I've wanted to up the ante on the weights but I wasn't quite ready for 10 pounds.

I asked Kate if she had enough room and she said not to worry -- if she needed space, she would kick me and let me know. I told her that I would kick back as well. Ah, the prospect of impromptu cardio kickboxing...

Before class started, I sidled up to one of my buddies that I'm usually next to. She said that all the people were present because of my blog. Ha, ha. I outed myself to Kate because I had written enough about her that I thought she should know. Know what I mean? If you're saying writing something nice about someone, you should let them know. Shouldn't you?

Kate kicked butt tonight and I shouldn't be surprised by now. She kept saying:

No one quits.
No one quits.

I kept saying:

Oh My God, OMG...

We did lazy stretching i.e. stretching on the mat. I was so thankful because, at that point in the program, I don't know if I would have had the wherewithal to stand up. As we were reconfiguring ourselves to get in position for ab work, I locked eyes with another classinmate and I could see the fatigue on her face. It felt good to know that I wasn't alone...

How's your stamina lately? Anyone know about your blog that you'd rather not have known about it -- in hindsight?

First Things First: Breathe and Relax Your Arm

I promised myself that I would get massages often. Well, the last time that I had a massage was in October of 2009. Today is my friend Lori's birthday. I thought she might like a massage, I could get one too and we could spend relaxing time together.

Before my appointment, I did two 15-Minute circuits of Jackie Warner's Personal Training Circuit -- figured that I might as well add the Warner aftermath to the list of kinks that needed to be kneaded. My body just rains every time I do a Warner circuit. I need to do this workout way more often -- to keep myself in check.

An hour and a half later, I arrived at the spa and when the massage therapist got ready to start, she told me to take a deep breath. I tapped into my yoga thing, she did a centering ritual of sorts and the decompressing began.

There were several times when I thought I just might cry. Guess I must be storing something but I guess we are all storing one thing or another.

The only thing that was uncomfortable about the massage was the attention to the feet. Having my feet touched is almost unbearable and I was hoping that reflexes would not get the better of me.

I was also told to relax my arm which is not the first time that's happened. It's ironic because I'm certainly not trying to help by holding it up -- just general tension I guess...

When I first got my car, my CD player went on the fritz. I immediately made an appointment to get it fixed. One of my colleagues said, What dedication to self-care. Those words are never far from my mind and I'm going to get a whole lot better at that activity. I work out hard and, dang it, I'm going to play hard.

I smelly all woodsy like tea tree oil but in a lavender kind of way and I'm digging it.

I thought this article about spas in Afghanistan was pretty intriguing.

In what ways have you shown that you're dedicated to taking care of yourself?


P.S. I'm semi-unplugged as I have a stupid virus on my home computer. Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

Weekend Review

I went to get a massage on Saturday, my first one outside of a five minute bench massage that I got from Whole Foods by an advanced Rolf practitioner.

I thought that I deserved a massage after two years and five months of a rather hardcore regimen. Even as I thought that I had earned a massage, I did feel like an hour long massage was just that -- long and I even wondered why people would get a two hour massage. Boy, I was mistaken. That hour was the quickest one of my life and I was so sleepy afterwards.

Later in the day, I went swimming and managed to get in 20 laps. On Sunday, I bicycled on The St. Louis Riverfront Trail. I always think that there are no more pictures to be taken on the trail. Yet, I still take my camera and the trail did not disappoint. I saw wild bouquets and turkeys. The Arch beckoned as usual.






On another note, I saw this article, Woman's Shattered Life Shows Flaws in Beef Inspection, and I'm done with ground beef.