All month I have been reminded of the fact that I turn 60 this month. Now this is a milestone I have seriously been looking forward to for 4 years. I started January highly motivated to walk my way through 2016, ending this year long celebration walking on the Pacific Crest Trail in Oregon, slowly spreading Nik's ashes along a path he always wanted to walk in a state he loved.
However, in January I realized my 10,000 step/day goal was a bit lofty. Not only did I feel an aching swelling behind my left knee, I started feeling intense pain in my right heel. But I kept walking. Then my body started to feel like it was all connected with inflamed tendons. Both knees hurt. My groin, at times, felt like I have a hernia. But I kept walking, only the steps are much less.
Yesterday I felt horrible. I even went to bed early and woke up late this morning. I have my old buddy asthmatic bronchitis back. There is no way in hell I am going to even come close to my new step goal of "anything over 1000 steps/day". I slept for 11 hours last night and missed my doctor appointment this morning!
Now I know why people warned me that turning 60 brings a host of new challenges.
Friday, February 12, 2016
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Feeling irritated
Well, I have been grounded. Benched. Sidetracked for the moment.
I have had plantar faciitis for about two or three weeks now and even though I cut back on my step goal, it is still not gone and only getting worse. I bought better shoes and I am using inserts. Now the muscles around both knees are swollen (I am sure because I have been favoring my right foot). Until I see my doctor on Friday I have been told to stay off my foot and elevate my legs.
I guess its time to regroup and focus on my upper body.
Except I have tendonitis in both thumbs and forearms. It is so bad at times that I can barely lift a coffee cup without using both hands. I never know when I will pick up the hot cup and lose my grip and drop it, hot coffee and all.
Is this an arthritic flare up? It is winter in northern Illinois so this is usually how my body responds. But normally after slowly easing into the day and warming up my joints and muscles, I can move better. This is different.
Slow and steady wins the race. So slow is how I will go for now.
Slow is irritating.
I have had plantar faciitis for about two or three weeks now and even though I cut back on my step goal, it is still not gone and only getting worse. I bought better shoes and I am using inserts. Now the muscles around both knees are swollen (I am sure because I have been favoring my right foot). Until I see my doctor on Friday I have been told to stay off my foot and elevate my legs.
I guess its time to regroup and focus on my upper body.
Except I have tendonitis in both thumbs and forearms. It is so bad at times that I can barely lift a coffee cup without using both hands. I never know when I will pick up the hot cup and lose my grip and drop it, hot coffee and all.
Is this an arthritic flare up? It is winter in northern Illinois so this is usually how my body responds. But normally after slowly easing into the day and warming up my joints and muscles, I can move better. This is different.
Slow and steady wins the race. So slow is how I will go for now.
Slow is irritating.
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Healthy hearts
February is heart health month so today I want to introduce you to a product I just found that I really like.
Heart & Hydration is a drink mix that is sold by TruVision Health which also sells the supplements I have been using to nourish my body. Every morning I drink one packet of Heart and Hydration mixed with 20 ounces of water. When I need something sweet I mix one in a 12 oz glass of water over crushed ice.
It's convenient like crystal light but healthier because crystal light provides no health benefits other than lower calories per serving as opposed to other soft drinks.
When I first looked at the cost, I was a little shocked. As an associate I get it for about $40.00/bag of 30 stick packs. Then I broke it down and compared it to the cost of a soft drink and it is cheaper than a diet coke or iced tea purchased at McDonald's. And, it.........
If you would like to try it yourself you can purchase one directly by going to my website at www.elizabethberndt.truvisionhealth.com
Heart & Hydration is a drink mix that is sold by TruVision Health which also sells the supplements I have been using to nourish my body. Every morning I drink one packet of Heart and Hydration mixed with 20 ounces of water. When I need something sweet I mix one in a 12 oz glass of water over crushed ice.
It's convenient like crystal light but healthier because crystal light provides no health benefits other than lower calories per serving as opposed to other soft drinks.
When I first looked at the cost, I was a little shocked. As an associate I get it for about $40.00/bag of 30 stick packs. Then I broke it down and compared it to the cost of a soft drink and it is cheaper than a diet coke or iced tea purchased at McDonald's. And, it.........
Monday, February 1, 2016
Sleep apnea
I went to the doctor last week and received interesting news. As if there are not enough things to worry about, now I am told I have mild sleep apnea and severe oxygen deprivation and that during the night my oxygen level drops to 74%; normal oxygen levels fall within 95-100%.
I also found that I gained a pound since I was there in December. I told her that her scale is broken. I fit into my clothes a tad bit better and my scale tells a very different story. I am going with that.
Back to the 74% oxygen level. Apparently during the night I am not getting enough restorative oxygen to feed my muscles and organs. As a result, she said I am at a significant risk for stroke and heart attack. She told me that no matter how well I eat, no matter how much I exercise, and no matter how much medication I take, if my oxygen levels are not improved, I can have a heart attack or stroke.
Well that certainly helps me sleep at night.
She suggested that this is the underlying cause of my muscle pain, daytime fatigue, sleep disturbances, and possibly why it is so hard for me to lose weight. She explained that sleep is the time when the body regenerates. Good sleep (and healthy oxygen levels) is important and when the quality of sleep and oxygen levels are reduced, when muscles and organs do not receive the appropriate amount of oxygen to "feed them" and allow them to restore, the body responds negatively, Her explanation (much better than my interpretation here) certainly made sense to me.
I am waiting now for a call to receive my cpap machine. She explained to me though that this is not a CURE for sleep apnea, it just helps me breathe better (another band aid) until I lose enough weight.
I told her she better fix her scale then.
I also found that I gained a pound since I was there in December. I told her that her scale is broken. I fit into my clothes a tad bit better and my scale tells a very different story. I am going with that.
Back to the 74% oxygen level. Apparently during the night I am not getting enough restorative oxygen to feed my muscles and organs. As a result, she said I am at a significant risk for stroke and heart attack. She told me that no matter how well I eat, no matter how much I exercise, and no matter how much medication I take, if my oxygen levels are not improved, I can have a heart attack or stroke.
Well that certainly helps me sleep at night.
She suggested that this is the underlying cause of my muscle pain, daytime fatigue, sleep disturbances, and possibly why it is so hard for me to lose weight. She explained that sleep is the time when the body regenerates. Good sleep (and healthy oxygen levels) is important and when the quality of sleep and oxygen levels are reduced, when muscles and organs do not receive the appropriate amount of oxygen to "feed them" and allow them to restore, the body responds negatively, Her explanation (much better than my interpretation here) certainly made sense to me.
I am waiting now for a call to receive my cpap machine. She explained to me though that this is not a CURE for sleep apnea, it just helps me breathe better (another band aid) until I lose enough weight.
I told her she better fix her scale then.
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