Day four-Water Pokemon

I was always active until I had children and suffered a few back injuries. Then being active would come and go. When I was younger, one of my favorite forms of exercise was swimming. I remember spending most of my time in the water as a child and teenager. After moving to Vermont my time in the water was limited to the warmer days at swimming holes and ponds. And of course, hot baths all winter long. I really don't enjoy being cold and being in cold water is worse.

Two years ago during a really bad episode of ulcerative colitis the doctor put me on prednisone. A month and a half later after coming down from the superwoman high I got from the prednisone, I remember looking in the mirror in horror. I had gained 25 pounds and I was miserable.  So I joined Weight watchers and I decided to heal in water. I joined a pool and was so excited to swim. I was able to swim only one lap before becoming extremely exhausted. I spent the next hour in  the locker room in tears.

After a good cry, I vowed to swim every day even it meant swimming only 1 lap.

Photo by Annelise Kloster © 2011 - All rights reserved

Two years later...I lost the 25 pounds and I can swim over a mile.

My back is much stronger. Now, I am working on strengthening my core muscles to support my back even more.  Swimming has also helped lower my stress levels.