May 2, 2005 at 6:02 AM

I’m so glad that I’ve started exercising again. I used to work out, aerobics and weights, five days a week. Then there was my near-fatal car accident which changed my physical activities and my whole life. I felt so bad about my loss of skills, and that feeling held me back for a while. Recently a gym opened in my neighborhood and I joined. Now I go there three days a week and do 30 minutes on some aerobic equipment (elliptical trainer and stationary bike) and then weights (machines). I’m focusing on aerobic exercise because my asthma is so bad, and the exercise really helps. Tonight I walked to the gym slowly, carrying my gym bag and wheezing and gasping. I managed to do 20 minutes of aerobic exercise. My walk home was so much easier – no gasping or wheezing. I’m so happy that I’m addicted to exercise again. I have a strong drive to go to the gym whenever I can. I’m not what I used to be, but I’m moving ahead.