To add to yesterdays "This isn't going to matter to me", I had eaten badly all weekend in prep for starting a swimming routine this week. I have gained 18 pounds since we moved here and NOTHING fits. I'm going to speak plainly here, because I have learned that there are subtleties in different areas of the country that can't be explained to other parts of the country without a sledge-hammer.
I live in a small town outside of Charlotte, NC, pop @ 4,000. There are a lot of other small towns around. Everything, including everything in Charlotte closes down around 8 PM, and if it doesn't it's someplace that people are looking for trouble or looking for God or looking for both.
The "Community Recreation Center" in the next town over does have a public pool that I can pay $5 to swim in. on the other hand, the bathroom for changing is a cinderblock detached thing with two toilet stalls with no doors. Scratch that one. The YMCA has a $10 a day fee or I could join for a membership fee + $50 a month. Due to my Muscular Dystrophy getting into the water and moving around is about what I can do. Yes, I'm sure that water aerobics is "great resistance training", which would be great if I could do reisistance training. And I'm not interested in the weight room, tennis courts, handball courts, or ball fields. Just a gentle move around the pool for 20 minutes or so to get the blood going. There is no reduced fee for a disabled person who can't take advantage of all it has to offer. I could go to the Physical Therapist that they have on staff, use my health insurance, and pay a $25 deductible each time I go to have them watch me do water PT. No thanks. I'm pretty sure I don't want anyone to watch me futz around the pool, and they're all idiots who don't have a clue about MD, which they all think is MS and they're going to cure. GRRR...
There are some very nice country clubs in the area that have "social memberships" that don't include the golf course. It's only a $30,000 membership fee with a $4,000 a year dues. There are also many things that they call "Swim Clubs". At a Swim Club you need three member references which do not guarantee you membership, and the membership fee is $400 - $500 + $50 a month dues, and you can count on it being segregated. How can you count on it being segregated? You need 3 references from current members, silly! And for that privilege they will count on you in the Spring to bring a scrub brush to clean out the pool for the summer. But, they have a shower.
So, I came home and ate two pieces of cake and husband and I went to dinner and I have pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans. I was miserable. on the other hand, right next door to the homestyle cafe was a little consignment shop. I went back there today, and it was the owner's b-day so she had marked everything 33% off. I got a pair of pants (still need more) a sweater set, three sun dresses, and three summer blouses for $97. To heck with the diet, to heck with the swimming, I'm going to eat what I want and just buy cheap new to me clothes. That will be my revenge!