Somebody stop me before I improve myself to death. I’m in bad shape from trying to get in shape. Thanks to an exercise video, I already ached all over before I tried out my new weed trimmer on the overgrown porch and walkway outside my front door. Getting my yard in shape isn’t going to be any easier than getting myself in shape. By the time I was done, my arms weighed a hundred pounds each and I couldn’t lift my water glass (with either hand) without trembling.

I don’t know. Maybe I’m getting old. Maybe I’ll decide not to have a birthday this week after all. It’s just not working for me.

First of all, the trouble with the beginner yoga tapes is that they tell you to stop when you feel uncomfortable, and then they go on demonstrating the stretches and positions. Well, if those old people on the tape can keep doing it, why can’t I? (Besides the obvious fact that I just started three weeks ago and they’ve been at it longer.)

Going beyond your comfort level is supposed to be good when you’re exercising, isn’t it? Then why oh why did I have shooting pains through both legs for two days after the last time I did it? I haven’t done any of the workouts since Sunday, just to try to let my body come back to me. I need to get back at it, but I need to be a little more aware of what I’m doing to myself.

Handling the weed trimmer took a little more muscle than I thought it would. I’ll start out with small patches and then continue doing small patches until the whole yard is done. There’s no way I can push the lawnmower through the grasses and weeds until I’ve used the trimmer to bring them down to a manageable level. It’s a big job, but if I play it smart it’ll get done.