I just read somewhere that people who live long lives all have one thing in common, they are active. It got me to thinking, I have been (reluctantly) swimming laps with my roommate every day since I got back to California from having my surgery. I dread it every morning, cause she really spurs me on and encourages me to add a couple of laps to my total every day. I was almost to the point where I resented it!

But after reading this I got to thinking, Question: 'why did I have the surgery?' Answer: 'I want to live longer, I want to hurt less.'

Another question: 'what do I expect from the surgery?' Answer: ' to lose weight, to keep it off.'

Another question: 'How can I expect my body to do it all, without any help from me?' Answer: 'I CAN'T! I have to help my body make this change!'

Wow! Big revelation, I have to do more than just sit there and observe. I have to be a PARTICIPANT!!! I can't just sit around and watch (and hope that) my body changes for the better. I have to take an active role in this whole thing, by making good food choices, getting in all my protein and water, being active, and pushing a little, so that my body knows that I expect it to do a little bit more all the time. Sure there will be times when I can't get my exercise in, or can't make the best choices I should as far as nutrition. But the majority of the time, I am in Charge! I am the one calling the shots, and I have to step up to the plate and do the right thing.

I thought of all this while I was sort of floating around in the pool this morning (killing time), wishing I had my 30 laps in. As this whole thing started to unravel in my head, I started swimming for all I was worth, trying to get those 30 laps in! Because one thing I know, I want to live a long time. (I'm only 62!) I want to see my grandchildren grow up, go to college, get married, etc. I want to see my great-grandchildren (just not to soon!) I want to be like my Mom, 90 years young and still in her own home, doing all her own cooking, cleaning, laundry, driving, playing organ for church twice a week, teaching Bible study twice a week for the "old people" at the local nursing home, doing everything she wants. I want to be like that! Yeah life, I want to be there for a lot of it!

later......