Tuesday, April 22, 2014

A New Fitness Level and A New Life?

and getting to Hawaii – to kayak my last state!!!

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One of my earlier paddles in Washington State.

I am becoming concerned/alarmed that I may not have enough money for expenses for the Hawaii trip. I have accommodations and air line ticket. But there are the other expenses of the shuttle/or transportation to and from the airports, kayak rental, meals, sun screen, misc. God I wish I was rich.  If you can help me complete this Kayak America Adventure, use the Donate Button to the right on this page.  Thank you.

Feeling blue a couple days ago, I was cheered up by a piece of German Chocolate Cake. Trust me, I will pay for it tomorrow and the next day at the gym. My weight is down to where it was 31 years ago.  Someone said “Just a serotonin low. You will feel better. Chocolate will help that.”  Alright, I’ll go with that reason/excuse?

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1984, California, sitting on my cousin’s Delorian.

OK, I ATE the cake, twice. But today, I did Aqua Therapy in the morning, and then 10 miles on stationary bike in gym and 30 min on treadmill. I'm going 3 times faster on the treadmill than I did two weeks ago. I am working hard on my core strength and have little pain now. I think an adjustment in my meds is required which will begin tomorrow. Right now all I am doing is working out and eating and sleeping. Eating all I want, but it's healthier stuff and only about 1/3 of what I used to eat. But it's all I want. I won't say this is easy, but my favorite part of the day now is working out at the gym... something I never thought I would ever feel or ever say. Maybe there will be life after 70?

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Never Again… almost 300 pounds in 2002.

I have a wonderful team of doctors here and have been catching up on all the tests and examines you are suppose to have.  Getting the all clear on everything.  I think I have a doctor for every body part, though I no longer need a pulmonologist as I no longer have COPD issues (thank you clean air).  Got one for joints, one for spine, one for female parts, one for all the other general stuff.  All are impressed and excited to be on my fitness team.  Caught two of them talking/bragging to each other about me the other day… that was funny.

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Family Birthday Cake, 2004 (my sons birthdays are 4/16 and 5/8 and mine 5/16 – so many times we had ONE cake).

The above photo was taken when I was pretty close to not being able to walk anymore, the following year, both knees were replaced.  Hopefully in a month, I will have much better photos to post here.

In spite of my worry and concern about finances for Hawaii, and my set back last month with severe back pain, I am reaching my new fitness levels and I feel excited and hopeful about completing my 50-state Kayaking America Adventure and my new challenge of hiking the Arizona Trail in 2015.  I can and will do this.

Again, if you can help me reach my goal to kayak my 50th State, Hawaii, I would be very grateful.  Thank you.

3 comments:

  1. When I was a cocktail waitress at the Riverside casino in Laughlin, I started as a size 14 and went to a size 0 in 1 year. I ate 3 pieces of pie every shift. I don't recommend this diet. Just don't want you to regret your cake.

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    1. I didn't regret the cake, but wish I have picked something healthier. Well, yesterday was exciting, but not fun. Night before I wasn't hungry so didn't eat supper. Had a late lunch and went to bed early because I had worked out pretty hard. Yesterday morning I have a physical therapy session at 9am and woke up late so went straight there without breakfast. I kept feeling funny with each thing I was suppose to do. Everything felt hard to do. I was on the next to last exercise, when I passed out. EMTs rushed me to Emergency Room with a Blood Pressure of 90/50. Hospital admitted me even though I told them it was just that I had not eaten. But they kept me overnight, I was stuff there with no cell phone, no computer, no phone numbers. Finally got someone to bring me a computer so I would email someone to let them know where I was. I choose my local friend here as I had had to leave my van on a downtown street. Thought he might have to go get it and move it. He now has a key to the van. And I will also be giving him my sons phone numbers. I'm alright by the way. Ultra Sound of Heart, and arteries and veins in neck, MRI of head, all kinds of blood work. Was low on magnesium so got an infusion of that and saline. Was released this morning, with caution to eat better and before doing exercise, and to eat more magnesium rich foods. Like I said, exciting, but not fun. Geez, this new goal of hiking the Arizona Trail will either kill me or cure me.

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  2. You are an inspiration to many. Those pictures hardly look like you.I cant wait to see your post from your Hi Trip. I bet you will miss your van lol. Don't regret the cake conceder it therapeutic for the blues. Sent some cake cash you deserve it.

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Who is Swankie?

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Anywhere, USA, Full-Time USA traveler, United States
In 2006, I was shopping for a wheelchair. By 2007, I had new knees, better health and by 2008 a kayak. In Aug 2013, I kayaked my 49th state, Alaska, at the Holgate Glacier and in May 2014, I kayaked Hawaii, my 50th state, to celebrate my 70th Birthday and the finale to the wonderful adventure of Kayaking America? Next up... Solo Hiking the Arizona Trail, 820 miles? Maybe. Still healing from shoulder and trying to decide.

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