The working out is working

I did not *buy* a bag of softener salt yesterday--it was an upscale grocery store (with an excellent sale on cheese), and I did not want to pay upscale prices--but I lifted it into my arms, just to see how it would feel.

It was not *easy*, as such. But five weeks ago, lifting a 40lb softener-salt bag was at the very limits of my ability, and now it is merely *somewhat* difficult.