New Shoes & Assessment (4317)

Because of the cleaning I did yesterday (in preparation for garbage collection today) I did not get to post until late in the evening and was too tired to post much.  So, what I had planned for yesterday is now what I am writing today:

I tried out my new pair of damn expensive shoes on Monday.  They felt nice.  And, I did check the inside of the shoes VERY carefully to make sure there were no hidden bumps.  There were none, and my second toe, although the area under the nail is very bruised and discolored, is completely pain free and is doing much better.

Overall health stats:

1.  Averaging about 45 miles of running each week now (~72 km/week).
2.  Resting Heart Rate upon waking..... ~52-57 bpm
3.  Typical Blood Pressure upon waking.... 100 / 65.
4.  For 2020, I have ran, as of today, 1,060 miles so far.
5.  Weight - 168 pounds (76.2 kg ; 12.0 stone)

I have been at the above weight for about a dozen years now (within about 5 pounds or so).  This is a significant change from what I was at my peak weight and stats which I looked up:

1.  Highest weight - 290 lb (132 kg ; 20.7 stone)
2.  Resting pulse when I was heavier.... ~90 bpm
3.  Typical Blood Pressure from when I was heavier.... 150 / 85

There were really only two things that I changed in my journey to a normal range BMI:

1.  Exercise - I decided to embrace exercise.  I initially started walking 5 miles a day (still walk at least one day a week, but 6 days I run now instead).

2.  The most important factor for me in terms of exercise was to be CONSISTENT in my exercise.  I can now say that as of today.... I have gone 4,317 days in a row where I have either walked a total of at least five miles, or did at least 5 miles of mixed walking and running, or at least 5 miles of running EVERY DAY.  I have not missed a single day in the last 4,317 days.

3.  I changed my food consumption in only one way.... I decided to avoid added fats in food or food preparation.  I probably eat MORE than I did when I was heavier, but just avoiding fats in processed foods, and in not cooking with fat in foods I prepared is my one change to my food consumption. 

4.  I have to modify the above.... there is ONE other thing that I did, which was actually more difficult.... I worked diligently to reduce mindless eating and emotional eating.  Reducing mindless eating and reducing emotional eating both have required a very concerted effort on my part.  I have learned a lot about myself in recognizing these behaviors and in trying to reduce them. 

So, for a grey-haired old duffer, I have to take heart in the idea that old dogs CAN learn new tricks. 

PipeTobacco