Who would have thought...

Just came back from a lightning trip to San Diego. The minute I stepped out of the car yesterday when we arrived there, I felt very uncomfortable because of the humidity. Much worst than the last time, I mean. 
 
This morning, even if I had a decent night of sleep, I woke up feeling like I was 80 years old. Not a joint in my body that didn't hurt or feel swollen, I even had a headache - the whole nine yards. The only thing I had in mind was "I want to go home, now!".
 
And indeed, the closer we were getting to the desert, the better I felt, until we arrived and I felt like my old self again.
 
Life has a way... It's quite strange when you think about it. Of all the place where I could have voluntarily moved, Las Vegas would have been among my very last options. Same for my wife. Las Vegas: The place where entertainers come to die. lol
 
I've always loved the north, the seaside, rain, fog, even snow and the cold. Fall was my favorite season.  I love my black clothes, and wearing plenty of them, my suits, my leather jackets and all. I dreamed of England - that's how much I loved crappy wheather! ;)
 
But this dry sand pit has turned out to be the best place for my aging body, and really gave me a shot at a a few extra good miles, a couple of good years. Sometimes I forget just how much better I feel overall since we're here. The old familiar pains vanished gradually, a lot of them did anyway, and I got used to feeling better. Being exposed to them again however, I remember how all those things used to bother me on an ongoing basis. And moving here is probably the best thing which could happen to me at this point.
 
So I guess grateful guy is busy being grateful again. :)

Ya, you ain't old yet. Better exercise so you can continue to move if moving somewhere else I guess.

 
 

John Petrucci has some finger exercises to do before playing in one of his videos plus there are other videos specifically for this that are pretty helpful.  Capsaicin is also good to rub on your joints - just DON'T get it on muscles or other skin areas to prevent burning!
 
Another rather inexpensive supplement to try is Black Tart Cherry - good for joints with or without arthritis.
 
You probably already know about the other mixtures with glucosamine like chondroitin and MSM.
 
Oh yeah, and keep some of those hand exercise balls lying around where you'll think to pick one up from time to time.

LOL I guess so. May sound a bit negative, but I'm actually trying to make the best out of it and enjoy it all as much as I can. I guess that's the good thing when you're so constantly aware of all the negative things in life like I've always been, you appreciate what you have a whole lot.
 
Craig - lots of good pointers, thanks a bunch! I'll investigate that. As for glucosamine mixtures, you're right. I've experimented w/ a bunch of options. What seems to work best for me is a mix of glucosamine and chondroitin.
 

Rain, are you sure it wasn't just a massive hangover from the night before?

Rain, I'm glad you like it there in Vegas.....although the summers are the brutal months. I basically grew up there and got used to the heat, but I feel about Florida the way you feel about Vegas. I'm soooo happy to have daytime activities and not stay couped up inside because of the 117 degrees of burning love :).
 
 

Bromelain is another great thing to take for joints. It's an enzyme that is in pineapples. Eating pineapples is good, but you get a much better dosage from a supplement. It's quite reasonable if you get it on Amazon. It's done wonders for my tennis elbow as well. As an added bonus it aids in the digestion of protein and is great to take with a protein shake. 

Mesh
Rain, I'm glad you like it there in Vegas.....although the summers are the brutal months. I basically grew up there and got used to the heat, but I feel about Florida the way you feel about Vegas. I'm soooo happy to have daytime activities and not stay couped up inside because of the 117 degrees of burning love :).
 
 

Thanks Mesh. I guess things would be different if I needed or wanted to spend time outside, but beside my daily walk to the mailbox, I rarely ever go out - or then I just stay in the shades on the patio, under the ceiling fans. I appreciate going out when I have to but I rarely do so out of personal initiative. 
 
Last week's celebration over at a friend's made me realize that I'd really love to have a pool in the backyard though. I could probably add that to my routine and spend a bit of time out every day.

Hansel shrugged and said, "Hey, it's better than Phoenix..."