My cardiac rehabilitation at M Health Fairview continues three days per week. We are in a small gym with various exercise machines and weights.  The treadmills face the only wall with windows--an entire wall of windows--looking out at the mighty Mississippi river, which, until today, was frozen.  The sight of open water suggests Spring is imaginable!  Last Friday, as I looked out the windows, a fat raccoon waddled across the hill.  Its slow walk and sagging belly suggested the end of a long but successful night of dumpster diving.

After a warm up and vigorous walk on the treadmill, I go to this machine pictured.  They call it the Sci-Fit.  I'm not sure if you can tell from the picture, but it works your arms and legs at the same time.  It might not look like much fun, but this machine has become instrumental in my recovery and healing.  

I found it helps me to listen to music during my workouts.  Sometimes, after I get going on the Sci-Fit, my movements will occasionally match the tempo of the music.  The first time it happened, it was like I was dancing!  I closed my eyes and just moved with the music.  I lost track of time.  After all my body has been through, just moving to music is so freeing!   

The music comes from a playlist I created to keep track of current pop hits that I like over the last few years.  Some of my rehab favorites are:
"I Like to Move It" by will.i.am
"Classic" by MKTO
"Can't Hold Us" by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
"Fly As Me" by Silk Sonic
"Don't Start Now" by Dua Lipa
"Maps" by Maroon 5
"Makeba" by Jain
"Just Dance" by Lady Gaga

I now regularly dance with the Sci-Fit, my instrument of joy!