SEA COWS AND OTHER WONDEROUS THINGS.

With the sudden halt in certain activities, I have had to find new (or recycled) ways of preventing myself from becoming the shape and size of the chicken heart that ate New York City.

Shooting trap really doesn't work much but my arms and about half of my chest.  Curling isn't starting up until September and even that only works one leg and only once a week.  What I really need (other than preventing an oddly in shape body) is some good aerobic exercise!

Because of just a few of the really bad choices I made as a youngster, I am missing large pieces of pretty important cartilage.  This makes any impact exercise really hurty.  Because of this (and the fact that they are boring as Hell), running or walking long distances is OUT.

Instead. . . I have reverted to the days of old.  I am swimming laps and treading water.  I have been swimming since I was 6 months old.  Whether it be recreational, professional (Life Guard) or on a swim team, I spent the majority of my childhood in a large body of water. 

Water exercise is one of the most popular ways to work your entire musculo-skeletal systems.  If you can get over being slightly misshapen in your swimming suit (with a hot-air balloon-sized suit in your future), you can use swimming as your primary form of exercise.

So, the clingy outfit is a downer, I'll admit. . but there are perks!

1.  All of the pressure you feel in your legs and feet is instantly GONE.  You are nearly weightless and in some senses, you ARE weightless!  Manatees aren't made for the fields and neither am I.  If it weren't for the pruney fingers and toes, I'd live in the giant chlorine and bromide bath at the YMCA.

2.  All of the days stresses seem to melt away.  Your body and your baby will both thank you.  Think of it as sync time.  Now, both of you are swimming in warm goo.  (Ew.  Stay out of the shallow end after a kiddie class!)

3.  An hour of swimming is stated to be so much better for you than an hour of walking.  So just imagine how much better 30 minutes of swimming will be for you than the 4 hours sitting on the couch!

If you can't swim, I suggest walking around the shallow end of the pool.  The resistence will still help you work your muscles.  If you're feeling ballsy, hold on the side and kick your legs for a while.  That will get your heartbeat up!

I find that after swimming, I sleep deeper and all around feel better.  Additionally, I am less prone to eviscerate my partner.  Now, that is a perk!