Overnight snow fell, leaving 4-5 inches. By the time I got out to move the snow, temperatures had risen above freezing. Sporadic drizzle appeared in the afternoon. My snow moving involved heavy lifting since it had become slush during the day. Into the evening, light snow returned as the temperature dropped a bit. I expect pushing wet snow will create some residual muscle pain tomorrow. It will take time to break into this new seasonal routine. Inside the house, I did some deeper cleaning than usual. Again using muscles differently than usual. This will almost guarantee that lactic acid build up pain.
Changing routines requires adaptation. The plus to such situations comes in keeping mind and body nimble. Many people found the pandemic isolation led to reduced physical activity routines. Without my working at the office a few days each week, I replaced that uphill walk with many stairs with a routine brisk walk on more level ground. A steeper hill is included occasionally, but not as regularly as nine months ago. Many people also have reported weight gain over the same time period. The cause may be a combination of reduced activity levels and increased comfort food consumption. Some took up baking, which can be relaxing to do. Eating it, though, may bring added calories. Perhaps the changed routine to working from home may have affected how we eat. During work days, meals become more regimented or routine. Weekends often contain a more relaxed approach to food choice, with many 'treats' incorporated. Perhaps being at home more regularly led to more weekend style eating than the usual weekday eating routine. Just a thought. This may be answered by the many health and nutrition researchers currently looking at the impact the pandemic has had on diet, body weight and physical activity.
Thinking of routine brought to mind a song that was sung by an artist on Letterman for 29 consecutive years of the show -- 28 done live and one recorded due to the writer's strike of 2007. For many, this was part of the Christmas tradition. Stay safe. Enjoy!
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) -- Darlene Love
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