Hi!

Well, here is a little about me.  I love the outdoors.  I am a Biologist by trade but work mainly with computers these days.  I like to camp, hike, fish, etc.....  I was a professional bowler for 3 years (just to prove I could do it!). 

I usually float around the slightly overweight range, but I plan on getting in shape and staying that way.  I have had some problems with Plantar Faciitis in both feet and torn cartilage in my right knee.  Well, to make a long story short after about 10 years of foot pain that basically rendered me virtually inactive (couldn't even walk to the mailbox at the end of a typical day behind the computer) and the knee injury, I decided to try and fix them both at the same time.  So, I had the last resort foot procedure (Ossotron- High Intensity Shockwave therapy) and the knee surgery on back to back days.  I was out of work for 6 weeks.  When all was said and done, I started walking in my neighborhood to get my knee functioning again.  I noticed that if I walked, my feet started feeling better and better.  So, I joined the gym and walked more and my feet eventually healed to a point I never thought I would see again.  The knee still had a huge gap in the cartilage and it was slow going as well.  I made the committment this Nov. to work with a trainer to make sure I strengthened my legs without injuring my knee and for the first time since I was 23, I have no knee pain.  My foot pain is now limited to times when I do stupid things like stand in lines all day at an amusement park.  I FEEL LIKE I HAVE MY LIFE BACK.

I am now a firm believer in the "Use it or Lose it" principle because I have lived it.  If you don't stay strong,  toned, and exercise frequently, you are asking for disaster.

I hope this gives someone out there some hope for the future.  I'm feeling younger every day and I'll be 40 on 9/26/07.