Health and Fitness Thread

@K.38 What exercises are you doing for knee pain? My walking+bicycling+elliptical+stairs have created a slight problem with my favorite bad knee. I think I can improve the situation with some leg work.
 
I was always very active.
RollerBlading,


Mountain Biking,


Back Packing,


Rock Climbing,


And any other activity that seemed like it'd be fun including working out in my own home gym.
I didn't really have to concern myself with calories and ate pretty much anything I wanted to, I burned it off anyway.
When I met Lisa in 2000, we'd go hiking, biking, camping and rink skating.


We had physical jobs working in factories and warehouses.
One day, I started having problems with walking and kept dropping stuff.
Checked with my local Doctor and was sent to a Neurologist.
After years of inactivity, traveling to different Neurologists, Neuromuscular specialists, getting tests and treatments done. I was told that I have a condition called Multi-focal Motor Neuropathy.
A degenerative peripheral motor nerve condition and that there is nothing modern medicine can do to help 'cept get me an electric scooty chair.
The only thing that can help is vigorous physical therapy, basically resistance training and cardio and a healthy diet.
I can do that. By then both of our weights had ballooned.
Took me most of a year to relearn to walk using the muscles that still work then it was back to hiking and biking.
In 2015 we joined a gym, went to spin class and restructured our diets to get the weight off.
My wife was amazingly supportive, helpful and was with me every step of the way.
Cancer took her from me on April 23, 2024. One of the last things she said to me was, "you take care of yourself."
The rest is history.
 
K.38 said:
I have friends and family who complain about being fat, out of shape, always hurting etc and I will tell them ways to help. Always falls on deaf ears and they keep on complaining. Some people just don't want to enjoy their later years or maybe just don't think they can do it or it will be to hard. Sucks to be them because fitness and health really isn't that hard. You just have to do it. The Lord gave us a wonderful life here in the US and all we have to do is take care of ourselves and he will take care of us.

I'll probably start another thread later on van camping as it won't fit here but it definitely ties in here with fitness and enjoying life.

BTW Thank You Snubbyfan for keeping this thread going for so long and Thank You GnarlsR2 for taking part also. This is an interesting area of discussion.
Click to expand...
People want a magic pill to take care of everything for them. They don't want to put forth the effort to do something to help with their own health and fitness level. So many people join the gym to get in shape then quit when they find out that it actually takes effort.
 
snubbyfan said:
People want a magic pill to take care of everything for them..........
Click to expand...
When I was a pharma rep selling Ace Inhibitors to heart docs, I would drop $1,000-$2500 on "Gold" (docs who Rx a lot) physicians to do half day "preceptorships." I put on a white coat and followed the doc into exam rooms to see patients. Every time a 400lb guy would come in and sit, out of breath......"How much do you eat?" 4,000 calories a day. "Do you drink?" Never more than a 12 pack. "How about smoking?" Never more than 2 packs a day. "Any exercise?" Well, I came here didn't I. "Doc, don't you have anything you can prescribe so I feel better." "Sure, and this fellow will give you a month's worth of samples."
Nothing to add. Joe
 
I'm built like a billboard and have to use a cane to walk more than a few blocks. But I decided I was not going to be the town hermit.

I was at a pistol match at my Maryland club on Saturday and we had just finished up the rimfire portion. During the break between the two match portions I was having a bit of banter about age with one of the other members, when he asked me, "How old are you?" I told him I was 73. And with that he said to the effect, "You are an inspiration to me."

The upshot is that coming up 3 years ago I had the retinal hemorrhage in my right eye and I was afraid I'd have to give up shooting. But I was able to train myself to shoot handguns cross-dominantly and I never gave up the pistol shooting that I enjoy.

So what I've learned is to get out and do whatever I can and take advantage of the opportunities retirement has given me to do things. And never give up.
 
Golddollar said:
I'm built like a billboard and have to use a cane to walk more than a few blocks. But I decided I was not going to be the town hermit.

I was at a pistol match at my Maryland club on Saturday and we had just finished up the rimfire portion. During the break between the two match portions I was having a bit of banter about age with one of the other members, when he asked me, "How old are you?" I told him I was 73. And with that he said to the effect, "You are an inspiration to me."

The upshot is that coming up 3 years ago I had the retinal hemorrhage in my right eye and I was afraid I'd have to give up shooting. But I was able to train myself to shoot handguns cross-dominantly and I never gave up the pistol shooting that I enjoy.

So what I've learned is to get out and do whatever I can and take advantage of the opportunities retirement has given me to do things. And never give up.
Click to expand...
Golddollar,

"I was able to train myself to shoot handguns cross-dominantly"

Wow… another testimony to what the miraculous human body can do if you give it a chance. You certainly are an inspiration to me.(y)

For many of us older guys and gals, resurrecting and transforming ourselves is possible if we are motivated, dedicated, and believe.:)
 
pharmer said:
When I was a pharma rep selling Ace Inhibitors to heart docs, I would drop $1,000-$2500 on "Gold" (docs who Rx a lot) physicians to do half day "preceptorships." I put on a white coat and followed the doc into exam rooms to see patients. Every time a 400lb guy would come in and sit, out of breath......"How much do you eat?" 4,000 calories a day. "Do you drink?" Never more than a 12 pack. "How about smoking?" Never more than 2 packs a day. "Any exercise?" Well, I came here didn't I. "Doc, don't you have anything you can prescribe so I feel better." "Sure, and this fellow will give you a month's worth of samples."
Nothing to add. Joe
Click to expand...
Pharma,

Very interesting and disturbing to read. I have enough "true stories" to write a short documentary.

Two years ago, I went in for my yearly physical. I have not actually seen my doctor for 3 years. I was examined by a Nurse Practitioner. They have 12-year history of my health status. My CBCs are normal, and I do not take any prescription drugs. I blew on the spirometer (measures ventilation, air into and out of the lungs. A spirogram will identify two different types of abnormal ventilation patterns, obstructive and restrictive.). When the NP came in the first thing she said was "You have COPD." I looked at her and asked how she determined that. I told her I DO NOT have COPD and that my lungs and my heart are the two very best organs in my body. What she didn't know was that I ran and worked out at a gym religiously for 25 years. I asked her to bring the spirometer back in, and I passed the test. Here's the pathetic truth…. my primary doctor (general practitioner) would have put me on two prescription drugs. I know, because my very best friend of 24 years has COPD.
 
GnarlsR2 said:
Pharma,

Very interesting and disturbing to read. I have enough "true stories" to write a short documentary.

Two years ago, I went in for my yearly physical. I have not actually seen my doctor for 3 years. I was examined by a Nurse Practitioner. They have 12-year history of my health status. My CBCs are normal, and I do not take any prescription drugs. I blew on the spirometer (measures ventilation, air into and out of the lungs. A spirogram will identify two different types of abnormal ventilation patterns, obstructive and restrictive.). When the NP came in the first thing she said was "You have COPD." I looked at her and asked how she determined that. I told her I DO NOT have COPD and that my lungs and my heart are the two very best organs in my body. What she didn't know was that I ran and worked out at a gym religiously for 25 years. I asked her to bring the spirometer back in, and I passed the test. Here's the pathetic truth…. my primary doctor (general practitioner) would have put me on two prescription drugs. I know, because my very best friend of 24 years has COPD.
Click to expand...
Seems like every time I go in for my yearly old man check up I'm told that I'm very healthy. Last time my blood work was described as "beautiful." I have beautiful blood? Anyway, they always seem disappointed that there's no excuse to prescribe something for me.
 
Mister Coffee said:
@K.38 What exercises are you doing for knee pain? My walking+bicycling+elliptical+stairs have created a slight problem with my favorite bad knee. I think I can improve the situation with some leg work.
Click to expand...
I really don't know for sure what helped with the knee pain. I dropped about 50lbs, gave up all carbs and sugar and at the gym I was having a little knee pain doing the leg machines and the trainer there said he thought I should back off the weight and go to the lowest setting. I think with a latest bit of pain I was trying to do to much weight. It really wasn't that much compared to others but I did drop down to the lowest weight of 20lbs and do 3 sets of 15 reps. That seems to be working.
 
snubbyfan said:
Seems like every time I go in for my yearly old man check up I'm told that I'm very healthy. Last time my blood work was described as "beautiful." I have beautiful blood? Anyway, they always seem disappointed that there's no excuse to prescribe something for me.
Click to expand...
My wife was a nurse for 43 years and she has seen over the years that the doctors seemed to be more interested in RX drugs than finding a cure. (kickbacks anyone) The military med system and definitely the VA are like that. I have found that with the VA if you ask detailed questions on how to fix the problem they seem to be helpful in that respect but also depends if are being seen by a real Dr or some dufus that can't get a job anywhere else.
 
@K.38 Understood. Once we get to the second half of life, the game changes (for most of us), and it is no longer about increasing weight. N.B. Let's keep in mind that celebrities like Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Dwayne Johnson are on more than organic oatmeal and fresh chicken breast. They're loaded with drugs.

The reason that I asked the question is this: In 2010, I worked with a trainer. Same guy who trained Will Smith for Independence Day. I never became Mr Universe, but all of my knee and back pain disappeared. Just from training and, of course, eating the correct diet.
 
K.38 said:
My wife was a nurse for 43 years and she has seen over the years that the doctors seemed to be more interested in RX drugs than finding a cure. (kickbacks anyone) The military med system and definitely the VA are like that. I have found that with the VA if you ask detailed questions on how to fix the problem they seem to be helpful in that respect but also depends if are being seen by a real Dr or some dufus that can't get a job anywhere else.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I would only add that the problem is not entirely at the doctor level. The culture that we are in trains these guys to treat (as opposed to heal), and the easiest intervention is drug therapy. In fact, patients expect it. Example: If Americans have indigestion, the treatment is not better diet. It's Pepto-Bismol. Because Americans don't want to hear that they are fat slobs who eat too much. They want to keep on eating.
 
Mister Coffee said:
@K.38 Understood. Once we get to the second half of life, the game changes (for most of us), and it is no longer about increasing weight. N.B. Let's keep in mind that celebrities like Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Dwayne Johnson are on more than organic oatmeal and fresh chicken breast. They're loaded with drugs.

The reason that I asked the question is this: In 2010, I worked with a trainer. Same guy who trained Will Smith for Independence Day. I never became Mr Universe, but all of my knee and back pain disappeared. Just from training and, of course, eating the correct diet.
Click to expand...
Absolutely! Training or just good exercise and getting rid of all the garbage we've all eaten for almost all our lives is literally like a miracle cure for most all our ailments. It is so sad that most of American and a huge part of the western world is still falling for the just give me a pill method of health care.

I'm learning to appreciate a strong core is a good thing to work on also. Never paid much attention to abs or back but in the last few months have been working on those areas and it does make a difference in back pain and helping with walking and balance.
 
The good news is that my weight's been holding steady at 170.
According to the BMI charts that makes me 8 pounds overweight but that's what I've been trying to do as long as it's lean weight.
Anyway, at the gym today, I noticed people watching me again.
I always wondered, is it because of my tattoos, my skin color, are they wondering what my race is, is it because my motor nerve condition makes me walk kinda funny?
I think part of the answer might have something to do with a favorable comment a friend made about my fitness level last weekend.
I'm thinking of going for a hike tomorrow. I generally like it to be a bit hotter for a hike but my butt still hurts from my bike ride on Tuesday.
 
snubbyfan said:
The good news is that my weight's been holding steady at 170.
According to the BMI charts that makes me 8 pounds overweight but that's what I've been trying to do as long as it's lean weight.
Anyway, at the gym today, I noticed people watching me again.
Click to expand...

They are probably Colt people. Colt people always look funny at Smith people. :D
 
snubbyfan said:
The good news is that my weight's been holding steady at 170.
According to the BMI charts that makes me 8 pounds overweight but that's what I've been trying to do as long as it's lean weight.
Anyway, at the gym today, I noticed people watching me again.
I always wondered, is it because of my tattoos, my skin color, are they wondering what my race is, is it because my motor nerve condition makes me walk kinda funny?
I think part of the answer might have something to do with a favorable comment a friend made about my fitness level last weekend.
I'm thinking of going for a hike tomorrow. I generally like it to be a bit hotter for a hike but my butt still hurts from my bike ride on Tuesday.
Click to expand...
"Anyway, at the gym today, I noticed people watching me again."

They are thinking "Dad Gum!! I'll give my left testicle if I can look THAT good at his age! :D
 
Here's the thing. After my last bike ride, my butt hurt for 3 days. I figured that I musta lost too much butt fat and ordered a pair of bike shorts with a bit more padding.
The idea today was to go on a quick 16 mile bike ride to try them out.
Somehow that turned into a 25.53 mile ride.
I like those new shorts and intend to get another pair.
 
While I don't like to miss a workout, I also know that it really won't make that much of a difference as long as I can get back to it on a regular basis.
Anyway, since the gym was closed today, I had planned to do a home workout but instead, I got my internet upgraded to fiber cable, dropped the Yaris off at the shop to get the "check engine" light checked and went for a 5 mile hike.
Tomorrow, I plan to visit my Mother then go on a nice bike ride on Sunday.
Then back to the gym on Monday. Getting that muscle pump's gonna feel Grrreat!
 
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