Health and Fitness Thread

[kwselke]

I was supposed to have dinner out with family this evening, but travel issues required rescheduling the event. I walked nine miles today and spent 30 minutes on the elliptical machine. I got word two days ago that my little community exercise room is scheduled for equipment repair and upgrade next month. I'm very pleased. So instead of having dinner at the Aquarium Restaurant in downtown Houston this evening, I'll raise my glass of locally brewed Spring Bock to Snubby. I've spent a lot of time with my urologist, it is not fun, but a sense of humor and a good attitude can make it much better than the alternative.

[soFlaNative]

Good news all around with the peepers!
Vonn's optics gets fine tuned and Snubby regains use of his third eye!


Hey Snub, the MRI happen yet?

[Skeptic 9c]

Just a quick update, back to exercising and walking. My toe seems healed and my muscles need working. Stiffness considerable, but only a few aches and no pain.
Geoff
Who is going out to dinner with the lady wife.

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by soFlaNative

Good news all around with the peepers!
Vonn's optics gets fine tuned and Snubby regains use of his third eye!


Hey Snub, the MRI happen yet?

Not yet, actually it's not gonna be an MRI but a CAT scan.
Just as well, removing all my jewelry and getting shoved in that little MRI tube ain't fun when you're a bit claustrophobic like me.
The Cat scan's scheduled for Monday Morning.

[snubbyfan]

I read up on getting a CAT scan. Seems I still gotta remove all of my jewelry anyway.
That ain't so easy. My ear rings are captive bead, Ain't so easy to take on and off with a gimpy hand, and my necklace doesn't have a clasp. I strung it and knotted it on, might have to restring it if I end up cutting it.
Oh well, gotta do what I gotta do.

[snubbyfan]

Today, I'm feelin' pretty good.
The sun's shining and we're planning on a hike. Might not get too far but it'll be nice to have my boots on the trail.

For aftrwards, got the ribs ready for the grill, I've selected an Arturo Fuente 858 Flor Fina cigar to go with the cold beer I'll be drinkin' and the cameras are charging.

[snubbyfan]

Just got back from a nice little hike.
According to my Garmin watch, the total ascent up the mountain was 360 feet. We went a total of 3 miles in 1 hour and 24 minutes.
The temperature hit a high of 94 degrees.
I felt pretty good but I could tell that my legs are still a bit weak.
My wife says she felt a bit wobbly but elated.
We weren't pushing it and in fact stopped to talk to a couple from Baltimore who were also hiking on a beautiful sunny day.

Now it's time to fire up that cigar and grill and crack a cold one.

[snubbyfan]

[snubbyfan]

We're kinda getting ready for any and everything.
CAT appointment's at 9am. We should get to the Y in plenty of time for 12:15pm spin class.
Got the gym bags packed and ready to go.

I remembered that I usta make jewelry. Dug through my stuff and put a clasp on my necklace.
Easy on and off.

[soFlaNative]

Too late now, but I hope your earrings didn't go into orbit!

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by soFlaNative

Too late now, but I hope your earrings didn't go into orbit!

They just had me take off my necklace and take the keys out of my pocket.
Since it was a CAT with contrast, I had to drink a bunch of nasty stuff.
Then they put an IV in my arm and whatever that stuff was put a nasty taste in my mouth.
Then I went for a ride in the magic donut.
We were only about 5 minutes late for spin class.

[snubbyfan]

Today's weigh in 166 pounds.
So after all that stuff I've gone through for the last month and a half, from the sciatica 'til now, spending all that time on the floor, then my cushy chair. I went off my diet and even had pop tarts and ding dongs, I've only gained 3 pounds.
That shows me that once my activity level goes back up, I won't really havta worry with dieting.
Maybe the 3 pounds'll come off, maybe not. Doesn't really matter, I just want to stay healthy and active.

[loknload]

Pop Tarts and ding dongs
Pullleeease!

[susieqz]

are you glowing from radiation yet?
pop tarts?
those drugs have affected your mind.
or maybe your taste buds.
no sense in increasing calories unless you get something yum out of it,

[kwselke]

I ate a pack of Ding Dongs a couple of weeks ago. They are far superior to Twinkies in my opinion. Still cannot do Pop Tarts, I did not like them when they first came out and never out grew it.

[snubbyfan]

The Ding Dongs and Pop Tarts were just part of it.
I ate well including the stuff I'd never eat on my diet.
Surprised me that I gained just 3 pounds.
In fact someone at the Y asked if I lost weight.

Wednesday morning I have another appointment with the urologist. He's supposed to have a diagnosis for me.
We'll see.

[kwselke]

I've been goofing off for the last three days, not doing my morning walks, eating and drinking anything I wanted. It's all part of the cycle of my training.

Yesterday I stopped at my neighborhood CVS to pick up some Budweiser. It was shift change and a new checker was logging into a register and said, I can help you. I put my CVS loyalty card and the beer on the counter and started to take cash out of my wallet. Then I heard the words... What is your date of birth? I looked up and said... What? There are three CVS employees standing behind this lady that know me and they are holding back their laughs. I said, you want to know my birthday. It is January 1956, I am 61 years old. Would you like to see my driver's license? At that the laughs broke out. She said, no sir, but you do not look a day over 25.

The legal age for drinking in Texas went from 21 to 18 about two weeks before I turned 18. I was buying liquor well before I turned 18 and was never asked my age. Somewhere down the line the age went back up to 21.

I'll take it as a complement that folks would ask this old man for ID when buying now. It's probably just due to better enforcement of the rules by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission these days.

What a change, now days it is... Yah, I got carded and showed them I'm an old dude, not an underage punk kid.

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by kwselke

I've been goofing off for the last three days, not doing my morning walks, eating and drinking anything I wanted. It's all part of the cycle of my training.

Yesterday I stopped at my neighborhood CVS to pick up some Budweiser. It was shift change and a new checker was logging into a register and said, I can help you. I put my CVS loyalty card and the beer on the counter and started to take cash out of my wallet. Then I heard the words... What is your date of birth? I looked up and said... What? There are three CVS employees standing behind this lady that know me and they are holding back their laughs. I said, you want to know my birthday. It is January 1956, I am 61 years old. Would you like to see my driver's license? At that the laughs broke out. She said, no sir, but you do not look a day over 25.

The legal age for drinking in Texas went from 21 to 18 about two weeks before I turned 18. I was buying liquor well before I turned 18 and was never asked my age. Somewhere down the line the age went back up to 21.

I'll take it as a complement that folks would ask this old man for ID when buying now. It's probably just due to better enforcement of the rules by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission these days.

What a change, now days it is... Yah, I got carded and showed them I'm an old dude, not an underage punk kid.

Found yourself the fountain of youth huh?
I may just havta try drinking more Budweiser.

[kwselke]

Originally Posted by snubbyfan

Found yourself the fountain of youth huh?
I may just havta try drinking more Budweiser.

You might try changing over to a full powered brew. Better than Ding Dongs in my opinion. The fountain of youth excuse is good.

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by kwselke

You might try changing over to a full powered brew. Better than Ding Dongs in my opinion. The fountain of youth excuse is good.

Hmm...
A test 6 pack of Miller Genuine Draft.
A good cigar and pork on the grill.
Might be just what the doctor ordered.

[vonn]

Haven't had much to report but still maintains. Got my glasses today so I can read my Fitbit again so I will have more info. It tells the time but I couldn't read it and used my regular old school watch with hands.

[snubbyfan]

The good news:
The urologist got the results of the CAT scan and apparently my problem was a combination of stuff.
The constipation mashed my colon into my bladder which was pressing against my kidneys.
That resulted in edema in my bladder wall making it harder to urinate.
Also, even though he said my prostate was small it was still constricting my urethra.
He called it small but chunky.
It can be controlled with medication.
He's got me on 5mg of Cialis for the prostate and flowmax to help me urinate.
He told me to continue to watch my diet and exercise.

Okay the not so good stuff.
On the CAT scan they found some "funny spots" on the iliac of my pelvis.
I've got an appointment with an Oncologist next month.

[snubbyfan]

Continuing on with our day.
After the urologist we went to the Y. Today's not a spin day or a workout day but we figured we'd go ahead and get some exercise on the elliptical machines.
Last time I was on an elliptical I had to stop after just over 10 minutes.
This time I did the whole 30 minute program. Feeling stronger.

Tomorrow's a spin and workout day.
Friday, if the weather holds out, we're planning a nice long mountain hike. Might bring my camera and get a hiking video.

[snubbyfan]

Good day at the Y.
Felt strong in spin class and I'm feeling stronger in the weight room.
I'm not lifting as heavy but I'm planning on lifting less weight and doing more reps anyway.
Today's weigh in 164 pounds. That's 2 pounds down since Monday.
I haven't been actively dieting but I have increased my activity level.
Tomorrow we planned on going on a hike in the mountains but now they're calling for rain all day.
Oh well, could probably use the rest anyway.

Interesting thing, the spin class instructor told us that her husband's going through the same kinda thing that I just went through and going to the same urologist.

[kwselke]

Originally Posted by snubbyfan

Good day at the Y.
Felt strong in spin class and I'm feeling stronger in the weight room.
I'm not lifting as heavy but I'm planning on lifting less weight and doing more reps anyway.
Today's weigh in 164 pounds. That's 2 pounds down since Monday.
I haven't been actively dieting but I have increased my activity level.
Tomorrow we planned on going on a hike in the mountains but now they're calling for rain all day.
Oh well, could probably use the rest anyway.

Interesting thing, the spin class instructor told us that her husband's going through the same kinda thing that I just went through and going to the same urologist.

You're contagious!

[kwselke]

Most of my walking is done in the early morning hours before and after dawn. I also walk good distances outside during the daytime while running errands. Because of my Prussian ancestry I'm prone to sunburn, and skin cancer is not unknown in my family. Hey, I'm a pasty old white guy and it's getting to be that time of year when the sun can burn me in 15 minutes. So, I want to remind folks that sunscreens have come a long way over the years. I'm using mine daily now.

Seven years ago I lost a friend my age to Melanoma, he fell on the floor one day and was dead two weeks later. Like me, he was an outdoors man, but did not sunburn so he did not mess with sunscreens as I have over the years. I have no idea if sunscreens would have helped in his case, but it probably would not have hurt.

Look for the ones that are "Broad Spectrum", SPF 15 or greater, and the water/sweat rating you need. Pictured are what I have on hand right now, but there are others that I like too. I was a Bullfrog fan for many years, but now I find it hard to find and expensive when I find it.

I've also found that as my hair is changing from brown to gray to white, I have to wear a hat to keep my scalp from getting sunburned.

That is my public service message for the day.

[vonn]

You definitely need to take care of your skin as you age,l have had numerous little problems the last few years luckily nothing serious. If I notice any changes I try to treat them right away. The market is full of products but do your research for sure.

[snubbyfan]

Springtime in the West Virginia mountains.
One day it's near 90 degrees and sunny.
Next day it's near 50 degrees and rainy.

Suites me fine, gives me an excuse for a rest day or two.

[snubbyfan]

Though today wasn't a day of rest.
We went to the Y, did our 30 minutes on the ellipticals and worked out on the weight machines.
I'm gradually ramping my workouts up.

The warm pool was closed because somebody got sick in it.
So we came home and soaked in our home basement jacuzzi instead.

Tomorrow's gonna be a rest day and do stuff at home day.
I've got some leatherwork to get caught up on now that I'm feeling better.

[vonn]

Been really busy lately but wanted to post that I got a real wake up early this morning by sirens. Just got home from a class 16 hours later and found out my neighbor was found dead this morning and that's what the sirens were all about. 62 year old man,heart got him. You need to visit a cardiologist regularly, if you haven't been make an appointment now. Lecture over.

[Skeptic 9c]

Sigh, seepage from the hung nail. Back on anti-biotics. Sigh.
Geoff
Who is not finding age relaxing.

[snubbyfan]

Beautiful day today.
Wife and I went for a nice hike in the mountains.
According to my Garmin gps watch we went 4.59 miles in 2 hours and 7 minutes and a total elevation of 360 feet twice.
My legs still feel a bit weak but getting better.
When we got home I weighed myself.
I'm at 161 pounds with just mindful healthy eating and an increase in my activity level.
My wife's also been losing weight.

[snubbyfan]

We're gonna head out to the Y tomorrow.
I've been feeling better at spin class.
I almost back to where I was in the weight machines.

Last time we were at the Y the pools were closed and we missed our warm pool time.
The pools are supposed to be open by now.

[snubbyfan]

Good day at the Y.
Spin class, weight lifting, warm pool and sauna.
I decided that at 161 I've lost enough weight. Now it's all about maintaining.
I still need more leg strength but I figure that'll come with more hiking.
I'll still weigh myself occasionally and if my weight starts creeping up, I'll do something 'bout it then.

[snubbyfan]

Beautiful day today and we got lotsa outdoors stuff done.
Finally mowed our lawn then we washed both the big Dodge truck and the little Toyota Yaris.
Afterwards I fired up a cigar and the grill. Cooked some pork chops and asparagus and drank beers.
Tomorrow, it's off to the Y.

[snubbyfan]

Great day at the Y. No spin class so we did 30 minutes on the elliptical machines.
Felt stronger this time.
Then our regular workout afterwards.
My last medical "challenge" left my abdominal area feeling kinda tender. Today I started carefully working my abs.

Tomorrow, we're planning on a hike. We'll see how I'm feeling then.

[snubbyfan]

Beautiful sunny warm day today.
On today's hike we went a bit further.
6.54 miles in 2 hours and 49 minutes.
Just a nice casual hike on a sunny warm day.
The temps ranged from 93 to 84 degrees depending on where we were on the mountain.

[BigCityChief]

Just finished my 10 miles for the day - having a Poor Soldier Porter in solidarity with kwselke.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[snubbyfan]

The weather here hasn't been conducive to hiking lately. Rainy, cold and windy.
We're gonna head on out to the Y tomorrow for the usual.
Spin class, weight room, warm pool and sauna.
I'm thinking of working my legs a bit more to try to get more strength back. Just gotta be careful not to overdo it.

[vonn]

Holding steady health wise but haven't quite got used to my glasses but maybe it is me. Some days my vision with glasses up close(reading) seems to go from excellent to not very good at all. Without glasses no problems at all except I really need sunglasses outside even on overcast days.

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by vonn

Holding steady health wise but haven't quite got used to my glasses but maybe it is me. Some days my vision with glasses up close(reading) seems to go from excellent to not very good at all. Without glasses no problems at all except I really need sunglasses outside even on overcast days.

That's what I like about my transitions lenses. I don't really notice how dark they get until I walk indoors.

[vonn]

Transition lenses aren't fast enough for quick trips outside and then right back inside. My eyes are overpowered by the sun when I go out of the shop and then take a minute before I can see when I come back inside. My cataracts really dimmed my vision! I can see excellent to drive at night.

[snubbyfan]

Visited with the Italian inlaws Friday and Saturday to help out around the house.
What I didn't put in my "Road Trip to the Inlaws" thread was the amount of supper, the desserts or breakfast the following morning.
We also skipped our Saturday Y trip.
We're going to the Y tomorrow and I'm thinking of stepping on the scale.

[snubbyfan]

Back from the Y and we'll be leaving soon to take our cat Sandy to the vet.
She's had an ear polyp before and now her ear's gunky and she's been scratching at it.
The scale at the Y said 164 pounds. Works for me, that's a total of 66 pounds down.

[vonn]

Put in a day yesterday pulling out a barb wire fence and discovered I am not as god as I used to be! My son worked circles around me! Some days I forget my age and wake up to reality. I hope some regular manual labor this summer will help me get into better shape, 10 acres of big thicket type land to clear should keep me very busy.

[kwselke]

As we get older we cannot expect our bodies to react the way they did in our youth. Our fitness efforts have to concentrate on maintaining strength, co-ordination, flexibility, and endurance. The normal course for our bodies is to loose muscle mass and gain weight starting in our late 40s to mid 50s. If you are over 50 forget the no pain no gain exercise ideas you heard as a youth. Your body is no longer young, has had many decades of pain and healing, and is losing its healing ability a little more each year.

Keeping your weight down is important, but not the only aspect of keeping fit. Getting my weight down got my blood pressure under control and I am convinced that is why I'm still alive. At 6' 1" it really does not matter much if I'm 190 lbs. or 200 lbs. What matters is that I stay active. No matter how much I train, work out, or diet I will never be able to attain the fitness level and strength I had in my late 20s and early 30s.

If I had put in the time and effort in my 20s to fitness that I do now that I'm in my 60s I would have been a beast. But when I was in my 20s I was not patient enough to go about a slow low intensity training program. Back in my youth a hour five times a week kept me in pretty good shape. Now I do two to three hours five to seven times a week. That's why I get up early in the morning. Just my thoughts.

[kwselke]

I like this evening's blood pressure readings. Looking good is cool, but being healthy is great.

[vonn]

All that hiking is paying off! Are you taking blood pressure meds?

[kwselke]

Originally Posted by vonn

All that hiking is paying off! Are you taking blood pressure meds?

I quit taking the Beta blocker and the diuretic over three years ago. They were not working anyway. My problem was obesity, lack of fitness, and tobacco use. I was obese, not overweight. I spent too much time on my tail and was constantly dipping snuff while doing nothing. The amazing thing is my blood pressure is better now than when I was in my 20s. I was a smoker then. Nicotine is a very powerful drug.

[Syn Gates]

Great post! I'm in good shape now but I think I need to learn more from you.