As many of you are well aware by now, (since I’ve been whining so much), I had a total knee replacement back in the beginning of March. To go along with the surgery, physical terrorpy, I mean therapy has to take place to begin getting the new knee working correctly. It’s painful but valuable and important. The upside of this therapy is that during all of the sessions, I am highly encouraged to develop a wellness program for myself once the sessions are over. So….

I’ve done-did it!!

Yup. I joined an exercise/wellness/fitness center. Now over the years, I’ve been a member of various gyms and other fitness centers and things haven’t worked out so well. However, this time it was strongly explained to me that I must actually attend and participate at these places in order for any good to come from them. Again it was explained that just being a member does not help out much if at all. Hmm, that explains a lot.

So now I’ve been driving to the center, getting out of the car, walking into the building and (gulp), actually doing some exercising entirely on my own. I’m trying to go four times a week for an hour’s duration each time. Yes, really!! There are a variety of exercise machines I can do but am mostly working on getting my knee stronger so doing some pedaling, walking and other stuff that stretches and bends the knee. I get my heart moving for the first 30 minutes and then just sort of walk around the place looking like I know what I’m doing. I push my chest out and pull the stomach in, (which is exercise right there), whenever someone walks by me. And when my hour is finished, I notice that I’ve burned around 325 calories. What? 325 calories! For one hour! Think about it…..that’s about three oreo cookies when I get home!

But afterwards, I do feel good. A good lathered work out. Some sweat building up on my forehead. I was worried at first, thinking I was leaking or something but then noticed others sweating also. Except for the kinder, gentler sex. The ladies do not sweat, they perspire. The men sweat. But it’s nice to go there. Not too crowded and everyone is doing their own thing. No one is watching you. And for the most part, others are not in the best of shape either. We’re all in this together and just trying to better ourselves. Heck, you even meet some friends.

Now I haven’t actually started wearing sweat clothes yet. I just go in my regular shirt and pants. Why? Well, just in case I start to panic and need to get out of there right away with what I call “exercise shock.” It’s that horrible feeling when you think your body is screaming at you as to what in the world are you doing. I still haven’t entered the lockers yet either. Just being cautious you see. The last time I really exercised much was about 15 years ago when I was in tip-top shape playing slo-pitch softball. Maybe not tip-top shape; more like slo-pitch shape!!

So there you have it. I’ve done-did it. I’ve got a long ways to go but what do I have to lose? Get it? What do I have to lose? My quick wit amazes me sometimes. No one else, mind you. Well, That’s The Way I See It. Let me know what you think at jsheda@indytel.com or call me at 319-327-4640. Now, if I can just lay off those salt & vinegar potato chips…ice cream…cookies….and baked potatoes with everything on it.

PS. I humble apologize to Mr. T. Sheda for insulting him about wearing socks with sandals. However my pet peeve still stands. No socks with sandals. If this guy’s legs are that ugly, maybe he should think about not wearking shorts at all. It probably would be a good thing for all of us….as I’ve seen those “white elephant tusks.”