I'm sorry for the lack of focus around here lately—I'm doing the best I can. I've got a lot of stuff on my plate. It's a little overwhelming actually. Ever feel like you're behind on everything? That's how I feel. I've got a to-do list that's longer than my arm.
I'll just observe that making several lifestyle changes all at once is not the best way. I know people don't like specific (individualized) advice, but just a small tidbit of generalized advice: if you know you need to make changes in your life, get to it. Just begin. Don't wait till you have to do everything at once.
I'm suddenly on blood thinners, and using a CPAP at night, and trying to get back on my old diet after a year and a half and stop eating sugar, and starting exercising at the gym I just joined. And it's a lot all at once.
And the thing I'm most ashamed of? There's one more. I almost don't even want to mention it. I'm supposed to start wearing "support hose."
It's not that big a deal. They're just tight knee socks. I don't know why I'm so put off by a pair of socks, but I am. Evidently all the sludge in your body kind of moves down with gravity and collects in your feet and legs, and you're trying to give your heart a little boost in getting it going back upwards again. I find the term itself cringeworthy. Hose? Yeah, I know, hosiery. But gentlemen wore "hose" when they also wore knickers (or were they breeches?), and it's been a while since showing a little calf was sexy. The equivalent was showing a little ankle if you were a female. "Support hose" is the single most ancient-old-person-ish thing I can think of. White hair; false teeth; walkers; hearing aids, yeah yeah, but hey, white hair on a person can look good, and if you can't walk or hear, fine, you buck up and do what you have to and soldier on. None of those things seems quite as pathetic as "support hose."
OK, adult diapers maybe. I don't need those. Yet.
Maybe there should be a contest to think up a better name than "support hose." Maybe that particular bit of attire just has a bad PR agent. They ought to be called "vitality socks" or "heart-health socks" or something. There has to be a better name that would soften the insult a bit. Isn't indignity enough of a problem already?
I'll get over it. The socks are kinda comfortable if I'm honest. Gotta do what you gotta do.
Inspiration to others
Speaking of bucking up, I have to tell this story again. When I lived in my second house in Waukesha, I had a next-door neighbor named Walter who was 80 and suffered from Parkinson's disease. I was walk-jogging two miles every day at the time. So one day I was standing at the picture window in my living room, looking at the late fall weather. I was 57 or 58 then. It was a blustery, nasty sort of day, cold and kinda wet, and there were random snowflakes in the air. So I was thinking, maybe I shouldn't go out walking today—the weather's too bad.
As if on cue, who hoves into sight but Walter. He's dressed in a "warmup suit" that looks like he bought it in the 1970s: zip-up jacket with a big collar and white stripes down the legs. And he's out for his walk—using his walker! He's hunched over the walker and laboriously following it up the street. Needless to say, I sucked it up and did my two miles. If an 80-year-old who has Parkinson's and needs a walker can get out in the weather, it was pretty obvious there was nothing stopping me. From then on, every time I was tempted to dish up an excuse for myself, the mental image of 80-year-old Walter and his warmup suit and walker popped into my head. Before I moved away I thanked him for being an inspiration, too. I still think of his example from time to time.
My idea with the gym is to go over at 2:00 every afternoon. That's going to take more than just motivation—it's going to require a little planning. Yesterday I had to go to the cardiologist at 2:00 (neither of us knew what the appointment was for—I guess they just want to guard against surprises). Today I have a haircut at 2:00. My barber is kinda hard to schedule, too—she works out of her house and she has a life. I guess I'll head over to the gym after I get my few remaining hairs cut.
By the way, the cardiologist gave the green light to exercise, as long as I take it very easy at first. I did ask.
But I wasn't looking for an excuse to get out of it.
I don't think.
Mike
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Featured Comments from:
ASW: "Hey Mike. In the running world, 'compression' socks and sleeves are quite popular. There are companies (e.g., Compressport, 2XU) that sell full lines of compression gear. So, just consider yourself one step down the path to better fitness."
Pritam Singh: "Try 'sarvangasana,' among other asanas, from Iyengar yoga to keep away from support hose. I guarantee it's more dignified."
Dan D: "Are you talking medical grade compression socks? If just mild compression socks there are many choices that look and feel great. I was in the sock business for many years and started wearing mild compression socks on flights to the west coast (four hour flights from Chicago). My feet felt great when we landed. Many runners wear compression socks too. Sockwell merino wool were my favorite."
Mitch W: "Compression socks. Triathletes use them. I cycle a lot, and after suffering a heretofore unexplained/unprovoked blood clot, I noticed my IronMan friends all wore them. Plenty of configurations in terms of size, strength of compression, wild colors. I detest this phrase but they have been a 'game changer' for typical photo days in the field consisting of one to 14 hours on assignment, too. Far better performance than those, uh, likely-drugstore 'hose.'"
John Camp: "The wife of a friend of mine flew to Italy and back a month ago. She was told to wear compression socks (also called support hose, but 'compression socks' sounds more medical and less elderly.) She didn't. She got back with some leg pain, discovered she has a blood clot in her leg, and is now doing semi-weekly doctor visits to deal with it."
V.I. Voltz: "Due to crummy veins and an injury that made things worse, I’ve worn compression socks since I was about 30 (I am now 48). I wear Supcare Extreme with Drirelease socks every day. My nine-year-old son calls them ‘sport socks.’ About every month we talk about why I need them, and what he needs to look out for to keep his circulation healthy. It’s not that big a deal."
Mike replies: Dr. Greger recommends arugula and citrus fruit for vascular health. Beets and watermelon are also good. I've stumbled on a heady elixir: one large seedless orange, peeled; half a small seedless watermelon; and a racquetball-sized cooked and peeled beet, all tossed in the blender. I keep the ingredients in the fridge so it'll be cold when prepared. Delicious—the flavors balance, and none "win"—and brightly colorful too. I put some chopped arugula into my daily salad, and sprinkle a handful on my nightly bowl of soup after the soup is hot; the arugula wilts and gives soups a slight but pleasant peppery accent.
Joeb: "Compression sox. Nothing wrong with them. Real athletes wear them, people who hike, run, work out. Even people with heart/circulation issues wear them. They come in all colors, patterns, and compression strength. They are not the white, hospital style that 'old' people wear. Not any more. Soldier on!"
Kristine Hinrichs: "There is another name for support hose—compression socks. They are very popular with long distance runners, particularly ultramarathoners. If you have a running or outdoors store nearby they would have them—or try REI online. They come in lots of colors, including your basic black socks. They are also a lot more durable and comfortable. I wore them back when I ran marathons and ultras and all my friends did, too."