I'm melting ...

If only her melting were true, that wicked witch may have had a happier life. Think about it. An aging woman gone green, seeking shoes that don't fit, riding on a broom and managing a flock of flying monkeys. That gal needed to work on a few things, right?

I know the typical January resolution intention sends folks to the gyms in droves. Sweating, building muscle, losing lbs, and so on - and that's just dandy. Set your goals, get on the program, and inch your way to success.

But this year my goals are more about looking into the crystal ball of late middle- and old-age and really envisioning a graceful and happy way to embrace all that lies ahead. Is there a marathon, weight-lifting, - triathlon sort of adventure in my future? Nope. A commitment to the "no-pain-no-gain" philosophy? Uh-uh. Shall I try Zumba and bounce around on a gymnasium floor? Been there - did not like it. No buns or abs of steel classes either. Maybe - if they develop a class called buns/abs of hardcore Styrofoam, but not steel.

Here's what my meditated-upon laundry list of Boomerish physical/movement goals looks like:

• I would like to walk or hike for an hour without my hips hurting
• I want to feel less bloated and less puffy and less inflamed
• I would like a better relationship with my body overall (I know that's vague, but you know what I mean, right?)
• I want my head/shoulders/neck to like me again instead of constantly giving me the finger
• A bit more muscle definition in the arms and legs would be okay, but it's actually not at the top of the list.

Also, and this is important, I would like a sense of calm to be my pervading emotion. For instance, next time someone jumps the queue at a 4-way, I would like to let it go rather than psychically picture myself T-boning the ass... wait, I'm getting worked up. See?

In prelude to all this, a few months ago I investigated TRE - which is an acronym for Trauma Releasing Exercises. The idea is you do a series of movements that lightly tax key muscle groups, and then you end the session by shaking somewhat involuntarily. At the end of the deal you feel buzzed in a calm way. Excellent practice to release stress and soothe the nervous system, but you do need to make a quiet space for it.

Today I attended a session in another type of all-the-rage-with-the-middle-age boomer wellness camp. Its acronym is MELT - which stands for - well, I have no idea. Maybe it's not an acronym at all, just a good visual. The main focus of the Melt Method is rehydrating connective tissue, and its claim is that the exercises work on "stuck stress" easing it out of joints, fascia, connective tissue and so on.

I had an introductory private lesson today, and (as I am wont to do, always) purchased some of the "stuff." There are balls and rollers involved, and a lot of rolling on pressure points, and I will say this, the sort of self-massage component felt great, targeted and smart, and I came away feeling energized and straighter. Also, less locked up. Placebo? Well, I'll let you know. I'm holding off on more rigorous exercising (ellipticals, weight-training, even Pilates) for a good month or so. When and if I adopt a more strenuous regime, I want to feel calm, centered, flexible, and smartly nourished as a baseline. More like ruby-red-slippered Dorothy. (Who, if I'm remembering correctly, had a bit of a methamphetamine issue. Or maybe I'm thinking about the opiates in the poppies?). Yep, I'd like to skip off to see the Wizard myself. Why not?

So. Food. I'm working on a bunch of recipes today - I had an amazing lunch that figuratively exploded in my mouth! I'll post a food update later - maybe tomorrow. But first, I must ask you: what gets your nervous system fired up the most?