Body

[pegkerr]

Well, we have safely arrived in Jackson Hole, and we're staying at the Snake River Lodge and Spa here with the rest of Rob's family (mother, step-dad and brothers and sisters and their kids, along with one cousin and her kids.) This entire trip was made possible by the generosity of Rob's mom and step-dad. They had planned to take us all to Australia for years, but it became clear that Australia just wasn't going to happen, so they decided on Jackson Hole instead. I've never been here before; it's absolutely lovely, and ths lodge is very luxurious. Our families are sharing several condos at the lodge.

Yesterday, we split into two groups for hikes. The ambitious group, which included Rob, Fiona and Delia, hiked a mountain behind a lodge, a five mile trek, and then took a gondola back down. Delia made it three miles and that was the limit of her endurance, and then she and Rob turned back. I think she did wonderfully to make it that far. The altitude certainly was a factor. Fiona made it all the way. I didn't think I'd better attempt this because of my surgery last month, and so I went with the other group, which did a flat hike in the Grand Teton National Park. This trek got cut short because Rob's step-dad had to stop due to trouble with his knees. So we came back rather earlier than we expected.

Yesterday afternoon, I got a massage at the spa. Everytime I get a massage, the masseuse usually comments on the unusual amount of tension I carry in my back and shoulders, and this time was no exception. My trapezoids are tight, and imbalanced (doubtless because of the heavy purse I carry), my rhomboids are incredibly tight, and there is still a little inflammation in the vertabrae in the small of my back, opposite the surgical scar in my navel.

After the massage, I took a shower in the spa's incredably luxurious locker room (it sounds strange to describe a locker room as luxurious, but this one was). As I took off the fluffy spa bathrobe and slippers and stepped into the shower, I took stock of my body. My belly button, once an innie, is now half-innie, half-outie because of the surgical scar, and there are two other half-inch scars from the laproscopic scope. I am still about ten pounds heavier than I would like, and I carry the extra in my belly. My legs are strong. My arms aren't exactly "cut," but they are certainly better defined than many women's arms. I checked a website last week to find out my body mass index, and the site told me that my BMI put me in the top 20% of American women my age and height.

Not perfect, my body. But I felt a strange surge of affection for it yesterday, standing there in the shower. It has borne me two beautiful children. It has carried me this far in forty-seven years. I am becoming more active, and I hope to get in better shape still, if I can manage to continue the biking and karate. Yes, there is a little belly fat, and yes, I need to work on my strength and flexibility, and yes, I'd like to be ten pounds lighter.

But right then, I felt like a strong woman who is in good shape, who is taking conscientious care of herself. I liked my body just fine.

Last night, Rob's brother Phil, who is a professor of geology, gave us a powerpoint presentation about the history of geological changes that formed Yellowstone National Park, in preparation for our visit to the park today. It should be a fun day.

Having a great time here in Wyoming.

Comments

[madlori.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a great trip, Peg!

You know, my parents are working at Yellowstone right now. Are you guys planning to go into the park much?

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Today for sure. We may swing by there again on our way back home.

[madlori.livejournal.com]

Well, on the off chance that you're there, my mom works at the Activities desk at the Fishing Bridge RV park. But they both have today and tomorrow as their days off (my dad works maintenance).

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I am so delighted you're enjoying a vacation! You deserve the break.

[pixelfish.livejournal.com]

There is a lovely museum of wildlife art in Jackson. I visited it on a field trip in my first year of college. The museum itself was pretty neat, as it is meant to look like a sort of pueblo, I think. Has some lovely views. If you find yourself with a spare hour to kill, you might look it up. :)

[dichroic.livejournal.com]

I love locker rooms, especially at rowing clubs or gyms that cater to a wide age range, because there you can see strong of all ages and conditions who are actively using their bodies to do all sorts of cool stuff. I especially like seeing women in their 60s or 70s - or older - there because I look at them and think "I hope they're my future".

[etakyma.livejournal.com]

I loved Grand Teton National Park! If you get a chance, a float trip on the Snake River is well worth the money. It is fun and not at all fast. Hope you all enjoy the rest of your vacation!

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

We have booked a white water raft trip for Thursday!

[adrian-turtle.livejournal.com]

Have you considered carrying a backpack-style bag instead of a purse over one shoulder? I've become very protective of my shoulders since injuring one recently, and carrying a purse is a significant strain even when the purse isn't all that heavy.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I use an Ameribag, which is structured so that the weight of what is carried is held very close to the body, which makes the apparent weight seem less.

[jbru.livejournal.com]

But right then, I felt like a strong woman who is in good shape, who is taking conscientious care of herself. I liked my body just fine.

Bottle that feeling! Mark this post so one of those days when you feel like you're not getting anywhere with all that conscientious care you can be reminded of how you felt strong and healthy at least that once.

When you return, let us talk about hooking you up with our friend David, a wonderful massage therapist, for some regularly scheduled work. David's a good friend (we call him Ericka's 2nd husband) and will be willing to work out some sort of discounted therapy. It sounds like it would be a great benefit for you, particularly as you work on increasing your flexibility.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

A great idea; let's discuss when I get back to town.

[bohemianspirit.livejournal.com]

It sounds like a wonderful, rejuvenating time for you! And like you're doing pretty well for this soon post-surgery. Enjoy the scenery, and don't worry about the ten pounds; they'll likely melt away as you regain your full capacity and get up to speed hiking and biking again. You're on the right track: take pride in your body and in how much strength you do have.

(I will refrain from comparing my BMI with yours. *ahem* Though I can still hike a mean streak around Lake Calhoun, when the fit takes me!)

[pazlazuli.livejournal.com]

I'm very happy for you that your vacation is going well. I hope you take lots of pictures, especially of the mountains (I love mountains)!
Hope you continue to have fun!

[gwyneira.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love the Tetons and Yellowstone -- we're taking Liam for the first time in September.

If you have a free evening, go to Nani's in Jackson Hole for dinner; it's a wonderful little Italian restaurant. It's been several years since we ate there, and I still remember it very fondly.