My legs are recovering from the fasciotomy operation I had a week and a half ago. I still have the stitches in and I will have my siter-in-law or her husband (who are both medical professionals) to take them out, so I don't have to book a separate appointment at the hospital or healthcare centre. But, other than a mediocre amount of walking yesterday (5000 steps), I haven't really tested them. Though, one thing I have noticed is that the soles of my feet haven't cramped since - though this was not the point of the surgery.
I miss moving.
I really don't understand how some people can spend so much time sitting down in front of a screen, because I feel terrible for it. My entire body feels lethargic and sore in places it shouldn't be, and I am constantly "uncomfortable" in my own skin. The last time I have sat so much like this was just after I had a stroke, and even then I moved far more.
A long time ago I read a book "Born to Run" which was about barefoot running and in it there was a quote of a traditional saying that resonated:
You don't stop running because you get old. You get old, because you stop running.
This afternoon I had a discussion with my daughter about how we "are our behaviours", meaning that how we behave is who we are at any given point of time. Every action we make, is saying, "at this moment, I am..." even if we might not normally be like that, or believe we are something different. People talk about "living in the moment" but then say, "I am normally..." - that is not the moment buddy.
And at the moment, I feel terribly lazy and am itching to get moving again. I have even broken out some elastic bands so that I can stretch and put some tension on my shoulders and back - though, i haven't used them on my legs at all. I don't want to push it.
I have lost weight.
Most people would consider that a good thing, and I do need to lose weight, but not like this. The weight I have lost is from muscle atrophy by not moving enough, not fat weight. I need to lose fat, but sitting here on the couch is turning me into someone who would ultimately become skinny-fat - High fat content, with low muscle mass.
I was thinking about this today in relation to how people workout and how someone like my wife will see her weight as the indicator of her overall health, without factoring in the muscle density. However, while too much weight is definitely a problem as we age, too little muscle is also a problem as we age. It isn't about looking good in clothes, or fitting into those twenty year old jeans, it is about having the muscle to keep the core strong for movement and balance, as well as being able to better manage daily tasks when elderly.
Going for a walk doesn't cut it.
What I have noticed is that a lot of people (especially women) will not do enough strength training because they "don't want to get bulky". But, what they are actually more concerned with is their weight. Weight is a pretty meaningless metric alone. However, doing something like walking for twenty minutes a day at forty years of age, is not going to build the muscle required to be healthy physically capable at seventy five. The body degrades quite quickly after forty, and it will degrade from the top back toward the foundation. If the building isn't high enough, it doesn't take long to get down to ground level - or into the basement.
A lot of people seem to be using their body like they are seventy five, despite being far younger. They are sitting around in front of the screens, avoiding exercise, eating poorly, and acting more like their parents, who are nearing the end of life. So, if we are acting like seventy year olds, what does that make us?
We are our behaviours, right?
From my behaviours over the last week and a half, I feel terrible. Yes, I am recovering from surgery which is meant to help improve my mobility so I can move more, but it is indicative of how quickly the body shifts to become "someone else". Because I do have a base of strength training, it won't take me long to get into better condition again, and hopefully with the benefits of mobility, I will be able to build even further. Yet, I know how "it feels" to feel physically and mentally much older than I should at my age.
It isn't good.
You know, often people say "act your age" when people are acting childishly, but they should be saying it when people are behaving older than their body allows. We might be living longer than earlier, but are we living better? Looking at how people behave, I suspect not. And of course, I am averaging here, because there is a subset of people who are pushing themselves to actually get their bodies to perform well for their age, so that they are outperforming the average of people who are half their age. Because younger generations aren't looking after their bodies either - so when they get to forty - they are going to have bodies that are more like grandparents.
Of course, I can't speak for everyone, just myself. But, I am people too - I am not anyone special, with a unique body that is so different to everyone else's. I am normal, average. But, we are our behaviours. If we act like everyone else, we get similar results to them.
That is not how I want to be.
You?
Taraz
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That bit on weight being a poor signal hit me hard. As an accountant, I see it like chasing revenue while cash flow and assets are shrinking, the scale can be a drama queen'. Numbers is helpful, but composition matters more, muscle is the balance sheet that keeps us steady at 75. I also get the itch to move, elastic bands are a smart bridge while you heal, just dont let the couch write your habits :)
For sure. Super needy also.
But... this is where I am writing from now! ;D
Couch drafts are allowed during rehab, just make sure the couch dont write your routines :)
A tiny rule helps and and keeps the brain honest'.
Do one minute of ankle pumps or band pulls each time you sit to type, then let the couch hold court.
The scale will gossip, but stronger tissue will shut it up soon.
I recently had a procedure done on my foot, so I haven't been able to move around too much either. It drives me crazy. With my work schedule about 20 minutes of exercise in the morning is the best I can do each day. It's gotta be enough until I have more free time.
I have heard about a "life changing" thing where as soon as waking up and getting out of bed - jump 50 times. I can't jump yet, but I will try it. Sounds like a good way to get the blood flowing.
Yeah, that does seem like it would get things moving! Just jumping or like jumping jacks?
I believe that walking (anything above 10K steps as tracked by Actifit app) is one of the best exercise you can have, though I do try to supplement it with at least two or three weigh lifting workouts every week. I used to be on a track and field team, but at the age of almost fifty I am afraid that regular running with my 220 lbs of weight might be detrimental for my joints...
I agree, but it isn't enough alone at "our age" I think. When our parents were our age, they did physical work more often also, so they would build more daily. Going for a walk is great, but unless really intentional, it isn't going to do enough work for most people. If currently very large, yeah, it is a good way to start getting moving.
I think I am shorter than you (I am only 5´7) but weigh about 200 lbs. I don't run, but I have been using a spinning bike at the gym for low impact training. It has been good.
Yes I am a bit taller at 6' (used to be 6'1' but they now measure me at 6 or 6' 1/2') :) To get 10k steps does take some intention at least here in America :) The physical work equivalent for me is lifting weights in the gym, I have a couple bikes that came with the new place I bought, but when I am there there is so much stuff to do that I don't think I will be able to ride them :) We do have an elliptical that also came with the house, maybe I will use that for low impact as it could be used in shorter time increments...
Others find sitting in front of their screens part of their life, so they also feel terrible when they were not able to do it. It's a terrible way of spending their time for sure, but we can't really do anything about it if that's how they find value in their time. Like I had a friend who I tried to convince to join me run in morning, but until now has not joined me.
Anyways, nice to know that you had a successful operation. Just need to be patient for a while, and you will be able to move around soon.
Pretty crazy, isn't it? People feel bad being away from something that makes them feel bad :D
I understand how tough it can be to feel lazy while recovering. And I think that strength training isn't only about lifting weights, but also about maintaining our health as we grow older.
Yes, this is the thing. I don't care how much I can lift now, but I will care how mobile I am in ten, twenty or thirty years from now.
While things like nutrition and exercise influence whether people age prematurely or late, genetics also play a significant role. I have a good genetic heritage. There's almost a generation gap between me and some of my peers. I've been exercising regularly since childhood. I've been particularly mindful of what I eat for the last 10-15 years. I don't drink alcohol or smoke. When we look at people who age quickly, we see a higher prevalence of alcohol and cigarette use.
And too much sun, at least for the look of skin.
Genetics is an important part, but on average, it is pretty basic to do what is right most of the time, for most people.
glad to hear u are mending good! :) I remember, after my accident.. the most painful part came when they removed about 20 staples from my hip..
What kind if accident did you have? I think you said, but I can't remember.
the car was in got t boned.. I broke me left leg and hip. I gots metal in me now..
Glad to hear that the recovery is going well. You may lose a bit of muscle, but you don't lose strength for at least two weeks. I fucked my back the other day, by buying a line cutter that is too short for me :P I will back in the gym tomorrow, hopefully. Sometimes time to recover properly is good. :D
Is a line cutter an edge trimmer?
Yes, I called it a whipper snipper in front of someone and they said , oh a "strimmer"? So I don't know what the fuck to call it (Internationally)
The most important part is that you are recuperating well. Just continue to try out what little exercises you can for now. It won't be for long and you'd go back to the normal way you exercise. I don't know if eating more protein and cutting the carbs can help slow down the loss of muscle and fat accumulation, maybe not.
I don't worry too much about the muscle loss - I just don't like the feeling of my body at the moment!
The lawn is a jungle now, and I am unsure if I can cut it.
It's great that you're recovering. Everything went well. You shouldn't force recovery because it takes longer to heal. Go easy. It's better to wait now and then for them to tell you that you have to wait longer. ^^
They said "Do as pain allows" - but I can take a lot of pain! :D
I'm so glad your recovery is progressing well and that you're feeling much better.
Regarding the relationship between age and perception of health, it's such a subjective topic that it opens up the possibility of in-depth debate. I still appreciate you bringing it up.
Hugs!
is perception of health the same as health? If I feel healthy, does it make me healthy?
For some it is possible
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Ohhhh.. I was happy you voting on my content.
I really like the community reflections but I just now realized that you are kinda a founding father! There is a bunch interesting content in here!
Good job and thanks a lot! :D
Thank you :)