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.

Who is Swankie?

My photo
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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