Like a Flower Petal Blooming

Right before I headed off to Italy, Greg and I discussed getting our bodies into better shape. I think this is an eternal concern for our contemporaries, and isn't a surprise. Our strategy was to go on the Atkins diet. Having had some success with Weight Watchers, I was a bit skeptical of the high-protein, low-carb thing. However, after about 5 months, I have to say I love it. I've had much fun changing around the menus. I miss pasta, but love the meat. And I'm able to give blood now that my iron levels are high again.

We're keeping track with the fitness. I'm slowly switching from the gym to yoga 3 or 4 times a week. I'm going to Bikram yoga - where the room is 100 degrees or higher and we do the same series of postures every time. I can see a difference in my body, although it may be all in my head. I haven't been near a scale, so I don't know if that is moving.

What really keeps me coming back is the tranquility I feel during and after the classes. I used get a meditative feeling from intense time on the work-out machines, but this is much more balanced. The downside is that I'm supposed to breathe through my nose and with all that sweat, I'm finding the smells icky. I encourage everyone to go out and give it a try. Well, two tries, the first time might be a bit much.

Since Greg started the business, we've been skipping the alcohol in the evenings. Going without the evening glass of wine has been less challenging that I thought it would be. I don't miss it. My experiences with alcohol in the home are so varied. I started drinking regularly in Italy, as my Italian host family offered only 3 beverages: wine, water & coffee.

Then, after graduating college, I was poor and living with Duncan. I had such tight fists, I wouldn't even buy a bottle of wine for myself. Duncan was a beer drinker and liked to have a drink at the end of the day. When we went shopping, I would be so anxious that he would buy the higher priced Anchor Steam beer instead of a cheaper brand. So painful.

Now I'm spending money on orchids, their high lasts longer.