It was pointed out to
me that I never posted a final entry of my swimming blog. Things got so hectic when we got home from vacation that I didn't have time to write. So here is the wrap up!
I did go snorkeling
in Hawaii and it was fantastic! I had
some scary moments in the beginning because snorkeling in a warm therapy pool
in Columbus, Ohio is a little different then swimming in the Pacific Ocean. It
was hard for me to get into the water and to get the rented mask to fit
properly. I had a small panic attack
when a wave hit me and I fell down. However, I did calm down and put the fins
and mask on for the most amazing adventure.
The coral reefs were beautiful and I was proud of myself for doing
it. I have a picture of a lifetime where
I am underwater and waving to the camera.
I am getting a print of the picture to put on my dresser to remind
myself that I did overcome a great obstacle and I am a lot stronger than I
thought. I am proud of myself and I want
to have that reminder on a normal weekday when I am getting ready for work and
feeling down about my life.
The beautiful house we stayed at in Hawaii had a pool. Dan took some video of me swimming in the
pool and I must say it was very disappointing.
I look uncomfortable. It looks like
I am fighting with the water, slapping and struggling. It wasn’t pretty. Clearly I have a long way to go before I
become the graceful and comfortable swimmer that I thought I was in my
mind. I have 4 lessons left at The
McConnell Center that I can use at any time.
To be honest it is going to take more than 4 lessons to make me a “true
swimmer”. I know this now, and I might
start again but I will wait until spring or summer when it is warm. The thought of putting a swimsuit on in the
middle of winter is more than I can bear.
To tell you the truth
I have other goals at the moment that I would need to tackle. First and foremost, I need to pay attention to my health and diet.
I am a person who is only really able to concentrate on one thing at a
time, it is a flaw but I am aware of it.
When faced with too many “irons in the fire” I concentrate on the
hottest poker at the moment and the status of my weight and health is red hot.
I have to lose 25 lbs and focus on heart health and my blood pressure as
indicated by my new thirty something young doctor. She is great, but she has laid down the law
for me. I have to reduce alcohol, fat, cholesterol,
stress, carbohydrates, and anything good and/or fun. I may blog about it but not sure. I don’t even know what I would call it: “Desperate for chocolate”, “Fat and Fun in the
mid-forties”, “Losing pounds and lovin’ it”.
Damn, all of these titles sound horrible. I will have to keep thinking.
Thanks so much for reading about my adventures in learning
to swim and thanks so much for all the kind support.
Erin
