swimming
Yesterday I went swimming for the first time in maybe a couple of years. I tried to not go mad and swim like crazy, as I tend to be inclined to do - I hope I didn't do too much for a first dip. But it felt great to be in the pool. I'm probably the unfittest I've ever been, after several years hobbling around on this not-quite-healed left ankle, but swimming felt perfectly fine, like I'd never been away. The chiropracter has been very dubious about the wisdom of swimming; he thinks it might adversely affect my right shoulder which he's still treating, and I don't think I quite managed to convince him that I'm the kind of swimmer who wears goggles and puts her head underwater, rather than the kind that doesn't get her hair wet. We came to the conclusion that I should try it, gently, and that we would see, which I expect we will. I think it's time I got stronger and fitter and hope that will help the ankle and the shoulder, because I've been having monthly treatment now for 18 months and things are still not quite right.
I've also been thinking about the possibility of going to a gym. I've never actually been to one before. I quite like the idea of some of the exercises, but am wary of you-must-want-to-lose-weight kind of attitudes, both from staff and other users, especially in the current atmosphere of general, topical, public fat-hatred, which is feeling more and more like a witch hunt.
Talking of which, when I went into the pool last night I was greeted by a great crow of laughter from a boy of perhaps 10 or 12, one of a crowd of (mostly older) lads, who pointed at me and yelled "Look! Look! A fatty! A fatty!" I descended several steps down into the pool, fixed him with a Look, and said in a loud voice, far more firmly than I felt, "Don't you be so bloody rude!" then got into the water and swam off, wondering if I was going to regret it. I heard a voice say "Leave it, leave it" but I didn't look round. Whew. Technically I suppose they could complain about me swearing at a child, which I didn't know I was going to do till I did. I tend to be a bit inarticulate with come-backs, and often end up saying things I have no idea I'm about to say, in a somewhat awkward fashion. It appears 2007 may be going to be the year of No More Shit, though. I do hope so. Maybe if I get more practice I can respond with a bit more panache.
I've also been thinking about the possibility of going to a gym. I've never actually been to one before. I quite like the idea of some of the exercises, but am wary of you-must-want-to-lose-weight kind of attitudes, both from staff and other users, especially in the current atmosphere of general, topical, public fat-hatred, which is feeling more and more like a witch hunt.
Talking of which, when I went into the pool last night I was greeted by a great crow of laughter from a boy of perhaps 10 or 12, one of a crowd of (mostly older) lads, who pointed at me and yelled "Look! Look! A fatty! A fatty!" I descended several steps down into the pool, fixed him with a Look, and said in a loud voice, far more firmly than I felt, "Don't you be so bloody rude!" then got into the water and swam off, wondering if I was going to regret it. I heard a voice say "Leave it, leave it" but I didn't look round. Whew. Technically I suppose they could complain about me swearing at a child, which I didn't know I was going to do till I did. I tend to be a bit inarticulate with come-backs, and often end up saying things I have no idea I'm about to say, in a somewhat awkward fashion. It appears 2007 may be going to be the year of No More Shit, though. I do hope so. Maybe if I get more practice I can respond with a bit more panache.