The weather has been sooo nice lately that I've been ignoring my computer to
spend time outside.  I've already gone through lots of sunscreen but I'm
determined not to burn this year (grin)

Have been making a real effort to look after myself better and get a little
more fit.  Started seeing a sports nutritionist and so far it looks like a
good approach for me.  We went through a typical day of what I eat when,
what parts of the day are rushed vs relaxed, how I react to changes.
Discussed medications, activities and OA limitations and so on.  She showed
me how changing just one food item at a snack can affect eating and energy
for the rest of the day. It was very interesting and I went home with some
things to try and instructions to go back in a month for review

Ironically, starting with a nutritionist turned out to be good timing.  I
got called back to the doc to get the results of my latest blood tests.  I
was pronounced clear on everything except my cholesterol, which is a mess.
My total cholesterol score has improved from last year but my hdl has really
dropped and my triglicerides are out of whack too.  My doc said "get your
butt moving" because she is re-testing me at the end of the summer and if
the hdl hasn't improved she will be giving me yet another med to take.  Talk
about feeling motivated!  She knows how strongly I'm against taking more
pills.  She also knows my physical limits so she will accept any type of
activity - as long as I'm on my feet and moving for at a minimum of 10
minutes at a time.  I stopped at the bookstore and bought an excercise
logbook on the way home so I can keep track of activities that cause aches
and what doesn't.  Hopefully my little home pharmacy won't be getting
bigger.

Speaking of aches - I went horseback riding this week.  My joints and
muscles are still sore but it was so worth it!  Beautiful summer weather and
the woods were lush, cool and full of wildlife.  At some points the trees
were so thick it was as if the only thing that existed was me and my horse b
ecause I couldn't see or hear the riders with me.  Saw several deer - one we
surprised in the woods and later we stopped to watch another one bounding
across a meadow.  Beautiful.  Met several nice people at the stables,
including a family from England that had taken their kids out of school to
tour Canada. Wonderful people and we had fun comparing and learning about
each other.

Anyhoo, I've yammered on enough.  Time to make supper.

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To reply: zed oh que kay fourty two at sympatico dot ca