Since our neighborhood pool opened I have been swimming laps three times a week. It is a wonderful way to cool off at the end of the day. Twice this week I swam a half mile without fins, which means I used my shoulder a lot more.

We're planning a couple of visits to the coast this summer, so my daughter and I bought snorkel gear. We took it to the pool Thursday night to learn how to use it. At first it was awkward. When I swim laps I exhale through my nose and inhale through my mouth. In the snorkel mask, I can't use my nose at all. I finally got into a rhythm and swam ¾ mile. I still need to learn what to do when water builds up in the mouthpiece. If I have enough breath to exhale hard I can clear the tube, but a couple of times I had to stand up. I sure don't want that happening in deep water at the coast!

Last night we rented "Anatomy of a Murder." In the movie, the defendant pleads temporary insanity because of an "irresistible impulse." Those irresistible impulses often happen on the BTD. If I don't eat wheat, I don't miss wheat. But just a bite of cake or pizza makes me want more and more. Usually I resist, but sometimes the impulse is irresistible. Sometimes the impulse is for something sweet. I can usually steer myself toward a beneficial fruit or a small amount of sugar in a neutral snack.

Yesterday I was desperate for something crunchy. I was resolved not to eat any avoids. Almonds did not satisfy. 100% rye crackers finally did the trick.

What causes these occasional impulses? Temporary insanity - I don't think so. Reverting back to old habits - perhaps. More likely I'm low on protein. I upped my protein today, and the impulses kept their distance.