For health or healthcare related posts
Today was that twice yearly ritual, visiting the Dentist. Hygienist and a quick check. Where else will you get the joys of the poker, the gouger, and the scraper jabbed at your teeth and gums? As I have long had some moderate gum recession, I get exhortations about keeping the exposed root on my first molars clean. And the reminder to use a fluoride rinse. Ah, the pleasant staff, the pain of...
The diet is continuing well, and apart from two visitors this week, with a couple truly egregious cheater meals, I made some progress. The statistics so far: 3 weeks (started July 3) down 11.6 #’s (that is a 4.54% loss) Exercise is trending up – both walks at lunch during the week (2.4 ish miles), and cycling on weekends, is feeling better. So far, I have adjusted to smaller portions...
Two weeks in, back on the Perfect Diet Tracker, counting calories, and making sure I track everything. Down 9 pounds – I am sure at least half is water, I am beginning to feel better. The old adage rings true. Calories in less than calories burned = weight loss. Yes, it was easier before I turned 40, but it still works. The secret is to count everything that passes the lips. Already I am...
Every so often I get tired of be a fat slob, and need to get back into shape. This time, months of moving, living in a crappy apartment, and high stress at work has lead to me, uh, putting on a few pounds. When the 40″ waist jeans stopped fitting, and the 42″ pants were getting snug, it was time to do something. So, I fired up the diet tracker, started counting calories, and...
I wrote back in March about a life changing event. Having the gout. It sucks. Talk about white privilege diseases, and Gout is top of the list. But the doctor said it would return. One of the things they say causes flare-ups is beer. Sweet, wonderful, hoppy beer. Apparently, the puric acid is the culprit. After the major flare up (that about crippled me for 4 days) I swore off beer for a couple...
Freshly into my 6th decade, I am beginning to feel my age. Some observations: Once you get gout once, it is likely to recur. Sadly, now when I have even a couple of malted beverages, I get the start of a flare up. Not being able to have a couple brews on the weekend sucks. Your appetite doesn’t match your caloric or nutritional needs. I still love to eat steak and potatoes, but even when I...
I have been struggling with whether to mention it or not. Last week, starting on Tuesday, my left foot began to hurt. By the weekend, it was agonizing. I thought it was a torn ligament or something, possibly even a plantar fasciitis flare up. A couple of years ago, I had something similar in Chandler, and the podiatrist gave me some super Aleve. I figured this was the same thing. How wrong I was...
I have had off and on problems with my feet for years, plantar fasciitis, inflamation of joints etc. In Arizona, when this flared up last in Phoenix area, I was able to schedule an appointment with a new podiatrist the same day. Here in California, the wait is 4-6 weeks. They have a cancellation next Tuesday they can squeeze me in. Yo, I can’t walk NOW, what do you think I can do for...
Today marks an ominous anniversary. Five years ago today, I had a heart attack and almost died. There had been numerous times in my life where I started to glimpse my own mortality. Being a motorcycle rider and racer, close calls are par for the course, but hardly unique. Hiking near thousand foot drop offs, and similar events that could horribly go awry with the ultimate consequence. But January...
On moving back to the San Jose area, I started fantasizing about getting back into mountain biking. When we moved to south San Jose, close to Santa Teresa Park, the urge grew. My last mountain bike was a Specialized Stumpjumper Comp M2. I think I bought it in 1997, when I lived here before. A really nice bike when I bought, I rode the hell out of it, all over the bay area. Unfortunately, living...