I’ve been so busy that I haven’t had a chance to sit down and write a blog post.

I’ve been movin’ and groovin’, which is very good for me, according to my cardiologist Dr. P. “You’re doing well,” she said to me at my annual check-up this week. “Keep up your cardio exercise.”

Two years ago, Dr. P noticed that I had some plaque buildup in one of my arteries. Yes, we all can get plaque buildup in our arteries by the time we are fifty-something, but I was scared and still am. I don’t want any plaque rupturing in my arteries. I have to keep movin’ and groovin’.

“I do want you to have another stress echocardiogram,” said Dr. P, “I want to keep an eye on that plaque.”

I’m fit. (I guess I could always be more fit.)

I’m trim. (However, I better stop eating those new Hershey’s Special Dark Pieces candy or I may not stay so trim. It says on the package that they are perfect for in the car, on-the-go, at home and with family & friends. I’ve been eating them at home and with friends. Ooh, maybe I’ll just eat them at home and not with friends anymore. Did you hear that L? But, if you eat them with friends, then I can still have some. I’m so clever. Plus,I did read in the recent Eating Well magazine that “eating dark chocolate every day for two weeks reduced stress hormones, including cortisol, in people who were highly stressed.” This was based on a study done at the Nestle Research Center in Switzerland. Since I am a highly stressed person, I think I will just continue to eat my dark chocolate.)

I eat well. (I try to eat my five fruits and vegetables each day. I eat lots of fish. I take my multi-vitamin and my fish oil.)

I exercise. (I do need to do more cardio workouts…may have to put myself back on the exercise bike that’s been sitting in my bedroom. Looking at it each day is not a cardio workout.)

Next week is the first day of spring. Yeah! We spring the clocks ahead. Yeah! Hopefully, there is no more snow in the forecast. Yeah! Hopefully, the snow will eventually melt in my backyard. Yeah! Yeah! I can’t wait to start movin’ and groovin’ outside again. I can’t wait to take long walks and bicycle rides again near my condo on the corner at the shore.

As I listen to my cardiologist’s wise counsel, I’m reminded of a song and little exercise routine I used to do with my kids when they were in pre-school. It’s a good reminder that all parts of my body are important to take care of. I think it is time to bring that song back into my life. Here goes…as you say the words you touch each part of your body. Try it. You can sing slow, if you just want to start movin’, but if you want to start groovin’, sing it faster and repeat it several times. Come on…start singin’!

Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
And eyes and ears and mouth and nose,
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes!

Judi