Side Effects

Normally those words make me cringe a little. Considering that half the meds I take are to counteract the side effects from the other meds I'm taking, can you blame me? In this case however I'm talking about another kind of side effect: the good kind. You know, when you do something and expect a certain result and hey...you get a bonus! That's how I've been feeling. Yes, I'm still swimming, every day! I'm so proud of myself. Honestly I figured I'd be sore and tired and it would just feel like one more activity to wear me out. I wanted to do it because I'm embarrassingly out of shape, and for the most part get no cardio-type exercise in my everyday life. I figured I'd do it a couple of days a week, and just get through it. Now that I'm going all the time, I find it almost addictive. I look forward to going the next day. I think about how to challenge myself a little more every time I go.
Here's the cool part. Instead of being more tired all the time, I have more energy during the day. I feel energized! It's awesome. Oh, I know that's what they tell you will happen and all, but they say a lot of other things too. To be healthy you have to do this! You have to do that! I guess there are some people who react well to negative reinforcement: people yelling at them, calling them names, trying to make them feel like a wimp for not being able to do 800 sit-ups. I've never been one of those people. I can put myself down well enough, thank you. I'm not running around saying "I'm in perfect shape, great health, and I don't even have to try." Hardly. What I want, is for someone to say "You can do this. It'll be hard, but you can do this. And just because you miss a day because you had to pick up a sick kid from school, or do some other unexpected errand, does not mean you have failed. You just have to get right back up and go the next day." Now someone does say that....me.

This, will not be happening, haha.

Today is a better day.


Caren E. Salas



photo: blog.helphub.com.au

Of course...

Being a strong believer in Murphy's Law, it shouldn't have surprised me when I woke up Tuesday morning, the first day of school for the kids, feeling...blah. I was going to get so much done! I still went swimming, thinking maybe that would refresh me, but alas, no. In fact as the day wore on I felt worse and worse. By dinner time I thought someone had somehow fed me some horrid poison that was eating me up from the inside. I wasn't a pretty sight.
Yesterday, I skipped swimming, and opted to sleep in a little later than usual. I still felt...not quite right, but I got through the day and at least got a few things accomplished. I even walked to the store to get some meat for dinner because, by the way, on top of being sick, I have no car at the moment. The walk helped me to feel like I hadn't ditched my routine entirely.
Today, still sans vehicle, my plan is to walk to the gym, and do at least a little swimming. If I can do my 22 laps without feeling too...icky, I will. Speaking of which, I should get going. It's so easy to start doing things on the computer and suddenly hours have passed. So off I go to the gym!

Caren E. Salas














photo: constructionlawva.com

Just Keep Swimming...

Wow, I have really been loving going to the gym this week. I even made a friend: Eileen. We started talking because I saw her doing the same "oh-my-gosh-the-water-is-cold" dance at the pool steps that I do every day. It's not really that cold, and it feels wonderful once you are in, but it's that initial chill that gets me. Unfortunately, my usual approach is to dive in all at once, but alas, this is against the rules, and I'm not really a jumper, so I step, step, pause then whoosh.
So I've been swimming my 20 laps and thinking that although I do enjoy swimming, it's a lot harder than it  used to be, haha. I mean, that while my muscles seem to know what to do, they are not always so willing to do it. Another thing is that apparently I have forgotten how to breathe. I know...breathe in, breathe out, but it's different when you're in the water, obviously.  Bad timing can really be...bad. Little by little however, I'm becoming more comfortable. As I count out my 20 laps, the little wimp inside me is screaming "STOP NOW!!" but the part of me that's fed up with the wimp is saying quite calmly (albeit with an exhausted tone) "Just keep swimming..." So I do.


Caren E. Salas

PS - I just realized I already had a similar post with Dory and "Just keep swimming". I guess she is more of an inspiration than I thought. The previous post was not about literal swimming though, so I guess that makes it okay, right?


Photo: fanpop.com

No...Really.

Okay, I know the plan was not to neglect this blog and all, but this has been a busy month for lots of reasons. One reason was that my niece was visiting from Japan, and we wanted to spend as much time as possible with her. This was a priority. On top of that, I've been trying to help get things together for my new job at The Living Christmas Company. I know I mentioned that a few times. I've never actually worked out of my house before so it's an adjustment.
Now for the good news. I went to the gym this past Tuesday!! I'm so proud of myself! After (I'm embarrassed to say) two years, I went in and got set up with their new system. I'm a member at 24-Hour Fitness and they just switched locations across the parking lot to a bigger and better facility which includes (drum roll please) a POOL!! Yay! I love swimming. I am pathetically out of shape of course, but I know it's something I can get into. So yesterday, I went over and took the plunge. After about 4 laps I thought "okay, that's enough for today!", so I stopped. Just kidding. Well, actually I did think that, but I pushed myself for 16 more laps: 20 in all. I went back on Wednesday but they were having a water aerobics class, and I never made it back. (Sad face.) Thursday I did another 20 laps, and today I slipped in before the aerobics class for another 20!  After a while I'm sure it will become routine No, really this time. Hey, you have to give me credit for trying, right? Three days so far this week! I totally rock, if I do say so myself, haha. See you at the pool!

Now if these guys were on the other side of the pool...

Caren E. Salas










photo: ynaija.com

Crazy week!!

What a week! Monday I have to admit was a great day. I visited with some friends during the day. They live in Santa Monica and you can see the ocean from their balcony. I'm so jealous, but as long as I can visit once in a while, I'm good, haha.  I left a little later than I expected, but instead of suffering through the LA traffic during rush hour, my husband suggested we go out to dinner in Manhattan Beach. He works close to LAX (the ultimate traffic nightmare) and Manhattan Beach is close by. I got off the freeway, picked him up and we had a lovely dinner at a Mediterranean restaurant.  By the time we were done, we just zipped home.
Tuesday got a little crazier, I ventured into the Black Hole, and managed to pull out five bagfuls of toys to give away to the local thrift store. I still have a ridiculous amount of stuff to go through, but I feel like I made a dent. As the week went on, I've been working on learning the ropes of my new job with The Living Christmas Company. I met with my boss (my nephew Scott) yesterday and went over some more information. So much to figure out, but I'm getting it little by little. Luckily the season won't really get into swing until September, although there is correspondence to take care of before then.

My garage...haha (the black hole)

I've been sticking to a fairly healthy diet, and between the climbing (over stuff mostly) and lifting and moving things around in the garage, I've at least been getting some exercise. I'm hoping to get most of the garage done by the end of next week. That would be awesome.
Although I've been busy, I actually feel pretty good. (Shocker) I even wrote a poem which is nice because I've been a little dry in that area. So here's hoping that this coming week I'll get more done and feel even better. One can dream, right?

Caren E.Salas



Photo: en.wikipedia.org

I just hate when it's...sticky

Okay, this is one of those days when I'm happy I don't live somewhere that humidity is the norm. Blah! We've been having this weird summer-storm-but-really-just-gloomy weather. The sky spits out a raindrop or two every few hours, and then just holds all the rest of it in the air for us to swim in.  I really don't do well in this type of weather, however I'm still trying to just keep plugging along. I've been sticking to a better diet, trying to get out and at least walk, and working on keeping a positive attitude.  I feel a little like the humidity has gone to my head and I'm even thinking cloudy.  I've been staring at the computer screen thinking that the words are just going to come and...not much.
I was supposed to meet with my new "boss" yesterday, but he got held up, so I will meet with him today. Hopefully I'll have much more to report the next time.

Caren E. Salas

I know, I know

Okay, I realize I said I would be more active on this blog and then disappeared once again, but this time I mean it. After the last time, I went on a much needed vacation, where I had a limited amount of online time. That was okay actually, because I think we all need a break from technology once in a while. When we got back I thought about jumping right on and getting back to business, but I decided that I needed to get myself better on track first. So, starting Monday of this week, I went back to a healthier diet (hard after being spoiled during vacation...) and even started walking again. My goal for this week is to go to the gym at least once.
I do feel like I'm at least somewhat refreshed and it helps in some ways that the kids are out of school. There is a lot less driving around which takes up a large percentage of my time during the school year. I'm trying to get the house in some form of order, and then tackle, yes, the Black Hole. We'll see how that works. Also I've been trying to prepare for my new "job" with Living Christmas Company. I'm excited about that, and have been trying to read up on as much information ahead of time as I can. As soon as I get going on that, I'll let you know all about it. Meanwhile I'm working on myself, my house, keeping track of my kids, and possibly venturing into the Black Hole. Wish me luck, I'm going to need it.

Our vacation house. I didn't want to leave!!

Caren E. Salas