Row Row Row

 Bought myself a new toy.  A rowing machine.

Like most people, at some time in the past we had an exercise bicycle.  And, like most people, we used it mostly for a clothing rack.

Sometimes I actually used it.  I found that when I had a cold, using it until I was breathing hard would help me clear my lungs.  And after Vincent Lamb Gogh (our one-eared sheep) got attacked by a dog and we had to let the wound clear from the inside out - and keep it clean - and we had fly strike - so Bob would hold Vincent down and I would get inside and clean out the maggots . . . well, sometimes I had stress energy and would get on the bike and work it off.

But in general, I don't like them.  It seemed that before I could get a good workout, my knees would really hurt.  Back in the early 2000's, when sometimes I would go to the gym, I preferred to used a rowing machine for my warmup.  I like the all over body workout, the bit of stretching, the gentle rhythm.

I knew that March was going to be rough (not that things haven't been rough since the holidays started).  During the day, if the stress of remembering gets to me, I can get outside and do yard work, or at least walk.  Not so much at night.  Or, too soon, it's going to get hot (the mosquitoes are already out).  But I need to work off the stress.   Let me see - it's March 4.  In 2020, we're through with the daily IV of the chemo poisons into Bob's system.  Today was his second transplant, stem cells this time, instead of the theoretically gentler bone marrow.

So last week I looked (on Amazon) on basic, simple rowing machines.  And selected one.  There was a moment's hesitation.  I had spent 48 years looking at anything as to how it related to Bob size, from yard chairs to cars.  I didn't want a rowing machine that could connect to the internet, show me videos, be my best friend, whatever.  I found this basic one.  The reviews looked good.  It looked like what I needed.  I checked the specs.  

I almost passed it up.  Because the weight limit was 220 pounds.

I weigh 130 pounds.  I'm going to be the only one using it.  Weight limit doesn't matter.

So far, I like it.  At the moment it's at the lowest level until I get used to it.  Then I'll crank it up bit by bit until I'm actually getting a workout.  I can listen to music, or maybe an audiobook, or maybe just look out the window.  But start slow.  I keep thinking of my beloved friend Jed, who got himself an elliptical trainer for Christmas, was proud of how he could push himself on it, and on New Year's had a heart attack and died.  Think I'll start slow.

Well, that digressed a bit.  The idea is, if I feel stressed, or that I need to move - it's there.  Don't have to change out of pajamas, or put on shoes.  Just sit down and move a bit.