I would assume that all of my readers, particularly those living in "snow country," are attempting to keep a positive attitude and survive those gloomy winter doldrums. I know, in theory, all of the little things I need to take care of my body with arthritis -- not to overdo, not to get too tired, too work out with guidance, to eat right -- ad infinitum.

 

However, I make a far better preacher than a listener. I rehired a personal trainer recently who had worked with me before I attempted to climb Machupicchu in Peru a few short years ago. I know the kinds of things I need to focus on to help me prepare for my upcoming work in East Africa. I will also confess that I'm definitely NOT the best judge of my limitations, particularly in the physical area! My first thoughts about hiring someone -- I couldn't afford it financially -- but I also realized I couldn't afford NOT to do it!

 

When I first worked with Liz, my trainer, my trek in Peru was a few short months away. Oh. I forgot to mention that I was recovering from two major orthopedic surgeries on the same ankle and foot in a period of two months (compliments of osteoarthritis, of course). It can be depressing and frustrating to realize the effects of osteoarthritis on the body; but it's also totally awesome to realize what good surgeons can do!

 

Now, it's about four years later, and I've accepted a new challenge. I will not only be living and working in East Africa for three months as a volunteer in a tiny rural community, but I'll also attempt a trek on Mt. Kilimanjaro -- an obsession of mine for many years. "Her Majesty," as she is called, is over 19,000 feet high, and those who have attempted the complete ascent have said that it takes a minimum of 5 to 7 days. At first, my thoughts vacillated between I WILL do the WHOLE thing to the reality that someone would probably find my carcass part of the way up, to an equally unrealistic "there's just no way I can do it!!!!!" So, I'm working with a trainer to TRY to get this slightly older, out-of-shape body ready for a challenge! When I "did" Machupicchu, I was much younger (a factor that is far more important in my mid-60s than when I was 40 or even 50). Oh -- I've also now added a couple of artificial hips to my repertoire (thanks osteoarthritis)! I've also decided that, for me, my victory with this mountain is that I actually will be on her for my 65th birthday!!!!

 

So I'm actually doing what I need to do to help make myself a healthier adventurer. I normally eat fairly healthy, but have added a bigger variety of fresh fruit and veggies to my diet. I even added oatmeal --not a big deal for many, but I was "traumatized" at Girl Scout camp with this stuff when I was 8, and it definitely hasn't been on my #1 list since.

 

Many people put brown sugar on it, which I didn't care for, but discovered that a little