Testing Times

Well, since the last post I have managed to get a bit more control over the shoulder problem but it is still not right and I am currently smiling sweetly at out lovely manipulative therapist and telling her I am fine - she will catch me out one day. I have not returned to swimming as I fear it exacerbates rather than helps the issue. Instead I returned to good old Rosemary Connolly's Salsa DVD and tried a bit more of that. Encouraged by being able to do 12 mins I tried the 17 min workout. My plan is to try to build my legs back up. Whilst on holiday in France I managed a fair bit of walking, mostly with my stick but some without, and am getting further afield on flat surfaces minus walking stick. I used to have powerful legs and still look mournfully at my bike which has been garaged for two years. However, it does appear that greater strength in them is forthcoming and it gives the arms/ribcage a bit of respite. This week I have dusted off a 10 minute dance DVD (faster paced than the Salsa). I used to combine three workouts but thought I'd just try one. It went well and today I have combined a faster and slower one and felt very excited at being able to complete it! I am continuing to eat better; preparing and freezing down. Sleep has generally improved and if last week is anything to go by, which was emotionally and mentally fraught, I am handling stress better. All of these feel like mini tests, and it is very encouraging to be able to meet them head on and deal with them. I will not say I hope to keep improving as it implies I might not, so I will say I aim to keep improving - allowing for gradual progress. It would be so nice to go to Zumba or get on my bike again one day, and now that feels like more of a possiblity in the somewhat distant future, but a possibility nonetheless.