So I got the blood test back from my doctor yesterday. My cholesterol is way high. That surprised me a little because since I started the low sodium diet, we have been eating much better. Still, I know exercise is a huge factor in the cholesterol equation. The doctor wanted to put me on meds, but I insisted that I wanted to try to control it through diet and exercise first. She gave me 6 months then I get tested again.
That I have not been exercising would have surprised the younger me. Varsity athlete in high school and college. Weight bench in the house. But, you know, things. Work–kids–other obligations–things get in the way. Recently, I bought a pair of used inline skates and a helmet because they were dirt cheap. Today, after cleaning out the helmet with Clorox wipes, I ventured out for the first time.
We have a wonderful park behind the house with wide concrete trails perfect for skating. Getting there does require going the length of the neighborhood first, or tramping through a boulder-filled wash on skates. So, the in-neighborhood uphill climb was my first quarter of my outing. Not so easy.
I should point out that along with the skates and helmet, I also went equipped with a cane. The result of that is I managed to stay on my feet the entire time. No broken tailbone yet. Once I got to the wide trails in the park, I did much better. I was able to get some momentum and work in technique, especially in the downhill portions. Uphill still gives me trouble,but I suspect that will improve as the muscles in my legs get stronger.
I think it’s going to be fun once I get the hang of it. Right now, it’s a lot of work. Still, I did get the thumbs-up from one of the women in the neighborhood as she drove past me.
