Broken Resolutions

Well, I made it five days on my New Year’s resolution:  to walk at least 30 minutes a day for the year.
Yesterday, I was off work to see a kidney specialist about the pain in my right side.  He said the ultrasound was inconclusive and he ordered up a CAT scan for me.  I asked if they might be able to see me today (since I’m already off work) and the office lady said she’ll ask the imaging folks to try to schedule me.  I waited at home until 3pm, but there was no call, so I changed to get ready for my walk.
The phone rang.  It was the imaging folks and they could see me if I could be there in 15 minutes.  I got there and they did their thing.  On the walk to the car, though, the pain and tightness was so severe I could hardly breathe so I decided to take the day off.  (Actually, I was tempted to drive to the ER.)  I got home and poured down a couple of large glasses of lemonade.  The kidney doctor said this would provide some relief for the kidney stones I’ve also been passing.  He said any citrus juice or fruit would work, but lemonade works best.  He cautioned that it is the hardest on the stomach.
Anyway, back to day One (six of seven) – starting over.  Felt very good today.  Not well, but not in severe pain.  I decided to just do a slow jog instead of a walk.  I made it around the school yard for 40 minutes.  Based on the walk/run on the treadmill I did during the week (Thursday at the gym at work), I’m estimating this at 2 miles.  It started off okay, got bad (right rib chest pain) and then got easier.  I’m starting to think it (the rib pain) is from torn cartilage in my back when I injured myself lifting back in May.  The muscle pull got better, but the connective tissue must still be inflamed.  At least that’s what I’m hoping.  I should get the results of the CAT scan Wed / Thurs of next week.  Until then it’s back on the wagon — but I’ll continue to take it easy and only do the slow walks / jogs…
One more note on jogging:  even though it hurt a bit (well, more than a bit), it was glorious!!  The sun on my skin.  The breeze blowing.  The smell of grass.  The feel of my muscles moving (even with the pain in my ribs).  I love it!  Why else would a 56 year old, 330 pound man with bad ribs be out there pounding pavement?  Who cares if I’m slow as a snail, it hurts, and it hurts more afterwards?  I do love it!
Niner Update:
I watched a lot of football today.  The wildcard playoffs began.  The Texans beat the Bengals and the Saints beat the Lions.  I didn’t really expect the Lions to win, but I hoped they’d beat up on the Saints pretty good so they’ll be easier for us next week when we face them (the Saints).  I don’t think the Lions came through for us.  The Saints just overpowered the Lions.  Our best hope is to commit to a full four-man pass rush and hope our linebackers can stop the run better than the Lions did (actually didn’t).  If we can get pressure with three (or more likely four), then it comes down to our defensive backs stopping their receivers long enough for the rush to get there.  The lions got two early fumbles (no points) and dropped three interceptions while the game was still up for grabs.  If we’re not more productive, we’ll get blown out too.  But, to be honest, the Saints looked very beatable to me, despite the score.  And that’s why they play the game…
Reading:
I just finished my January ’12 issue of Wired Magazine and it had a couple of really great articles.  One was about Weight Watchers and the other about changes in science.  The Weight Watchers article is titled:  “Weight Watchers Revamps Its Magic Formula” and is written by Jeffrey M. O’Brien.  Basically, it’s a story about how the company has redone its program to match up (fairly closely) with Dr. Fuhrman’s “Eat To Live” diet.  Fresh fruit and vegetables are basically free;  fruit juice is more expensive (more points);  and flesh (meat, fish and fowl) cost more (points) too.  I find it interesting that Weight Watchers is now going to make money off of providing emotional support for eating healthy food.  Ironic, but tremendously positive for thousands of people!!
The second article is titled:  “Trials and Errors: Why Science Is Failing Us” and written by Jonah Lehrer.  This is an article about causation in the study of science – in the article’s case, mostly biology.  The writer starts off a bit rough (for my non-scientific tastes), but blossoms into to beautiful prose about the difference between correlation and causation and the cautionary aspects of human nature in not being able to recognize the difference – the scientific difference.
Both are terrific articles and I highly recommend both!!
I’ve been subscribing to Wired since coming back to America in August 2000, and it’s very rarely failed to have several things (product reviews, social – geek – commentary, and general articles) in EVERY issue which were not themselves worth the price of the issue.  I highly recommend the subscription too…
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On This Day In:
2022	Historians, Not Librarians
2021	Inshallah
	Leave No Doubt
2020	A Choice
2019	Fill It Up
2018	Can We Talk About Me?
2017	About Change
	Gordian
2016	Are Your Prayers Functioning?
2015	Expressing Love
2014	Cyclical Attitudes
2013	Footprints
2012	Broken Resolutions
	Bin It

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Bin It

Trans fats do not exist in nature.  They are laboratory-designed and have adverse health consequences.  They interfere with the body’s production of beneficial fatty acids and promote heart disease.  As trans fatty acids offer no benefits and only clear adverse metabolic consequences, when you see the words partially hydrogenated on the side of a box, consider what’s inside poisonous and throw it in the trash.
—    Joel Fuhrman, M.D.
From his book:  “Eat To Live“
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On This Day In:
2022	Historians, Not Librarians
2021	Inshallah
	Leave No Doubt
2020	A Choice
2019	Fill It Up
2018	Can We Talk About Me?
2017	About Change
	Gordian
2016	Are Your Prayers Functioning?
2015	Expressing Love
2014	Cyclical Attitudes
2013	Footprints
2012	Broken Resolutions
	Bin It

Read Full Post »