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I’ve written about joining a gym and working on getting myself into shape. While not dieting per se, I am watching what I eat and drink (that last is every bit as important as the eating part! ).

I can’t report any great weight loss – while I’ve lost a few pounds, it’s not enough to really get excited over. What I have is GAINED.

I’ve gained in muscle tone.

I’ve gained in strength.

I’ve gained in stamina.

I suffer from arthritis — “just” osteoarthritis, not rheumatoid, but arthritis in any form is painful and limiting. Because of my arthritis, I found I was becoming chair bound. I didn’t want to get up and walk or exercise –it was too painful! What I’ve found is that by doing these exercises that the Personal Trainer recommended, I’m building up muscles and strengthening tendons that help support my poor joints that are trying to do all the work without their natural support system.

Consequently, it doesn’t hurt as badly.

I am also able to climb a flight of stairs without breathing heavily at the top. I can carry the 44lb bags of dog food into the house from the car without being totally worn out before getting to the porch. I can trot around the ring with my Whippet again — something I was sure I wasn’t going to be able to do without knee replacements.

Who would have thought?

I’m beginning to feel more like my old self again. I know I’ll never go back to feeling like a 20 year old and sexy, hot lingerie is probably not in my future any time soon, either. I’ll probably wear plus size clothing for the rest of my life, but I can’t tell you how thrilling it is to have this degree of improvement overall in how I feel.

I will confess to celebrating my new-found pleasure with self in a manicure and pedicure. — Totally decadent, I know!

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