Mortality scare

[ksdaddy]

I'm old and out of shape. I'm 54 and probably weigh 240 or so. I quit smoking in July (again). I was only on the patch 2 days and it's been cold turkey otherwise. I don't drink, haven't had a sip of alcohol in 11 years. I don't eat right, I know that. I'm sorta a wreck...not as bad as I could be I guess, but far from healthy.

 

This morning (8 degrees F) I drove to a kid's hose and bought what was left of a '73 Honda 750. A lot of it was already gone; it was basically the frame, engine, front forks and front wheel. We kicked it out of the frozen ground and lifted it into my truck, which has a cap on it so we had to tip it on its side and shuffle it in there. Of course everything caught and it put up a good fight.

 

I was completely out of breath after this little struggle. It's been 45 minutes or more and I still don't feel like I've 'caught up". My lungs don't really hurt but let's just say I'm aware of their presence.

 

This really sapped me and I'm a little scared. I need to make steps to trim the fat and get some excercise.

[Californiaman]

Thankfully you're OK.

As we get older we do have to watch what we eat and excersise more. At least you cut out drinking and realize the smoking is bad.

 

I'm 51. I weigh 300 lbs and have three kids. Two of them are teen-agers.

I don't drink in excess and I'm not a smoker.

Stressing over the sale of our house, moving to Idaho in the middle of winter.

But for some reason I feel great.

I know I could stand to lose 60 lbs. and I haven't had a physical check up in years.

I can walk for miles at a time but don't run anymore. I can also ride a bike still.

I know it's hard to exercise in the middle of the winter, but it certainly helps.

[Searcy]

I'm old and out of shape. I'm 54 and probably weigh 240 or so. I quit smoking in July (again). I was only on the patch 2 days and it's been cold turkey otherwise. I don't drink, haven't had a sip of alcohol in 11 years. I don't eat right, I know that. I'm sorta a wreck...not as bad as I could be I guess, but far from healthy.

 

This morning (8 degrees F) I drove to a kid's hose and bought what was left of a '73 Honda 750. A lot of it was already gone; it was basically the frame, engine, front forks and front wheel. We kicked it out of the frozen ground and lifted it into my truck, which has a cap on it so we had to tip it on its side and shuffle it in there. Of course everything caught and it put up a good fight.

 

I was completely out of breath after this little struggle. It's been 45 minutes or more and I still don't feel like I've 'caught up". My lungs don't really hurt but let's just say I'm aware of their presence.

 

This really sapped me and I'm a little scared. I need to make steps to trim the fat and get some excercise.

 

I'm 44 and about 210. I don't drink and I gave up smoking so long ago that I don't even remember how long it's been. Lately my back has been going out a few times a year so I started running earlier this year to get back in some sort of shape. I did good for about 4 months running 2 miles three times a week but then I tore something in my left leg. It took two months for that to feel better.

 

Running works a lot of muscle groups and gets that cardio and breathing up and pumping. Just like with the smoking, the hardest part is getting started. That first run almost killed me even though it was only a half mile. I'm thinking of getting an exercise bike for when the weather is too crappy to run.

[Marshall Paul]

I'm old and out of shape. I'm 54 and probably weigh 240 or so. I quit smoking in July (again). I was only on the patch 2 days and it's been cold turkey otherwise. I don't drink, haven't had a sip of alcohol in 11 years. I don't eat right, I know that. I'm sorta a wreck...not as bad as I could be I guess, but far from healthy.

 

This morning (8 degrees F) I drove to a kid's hose and bought what was left of a '73 Honda 750. A lot of it was already gone; it was basically the frame, engine, front forks and front wheel. We kicked it out of the frozen ground and lifted it into my truck, which has a cap on it so we had to tip it on its side and shuffle it in there. Of course everything caught and it put up a good fight.

 

I was completely out of breath after this little struggle. It's been 45 minutes or more and I still don't feel like I've 'caught up". My lungs don't really hurt but let's just say I'm aware of their presence.

 

This really sapped me and I'm a little scared. I need to make steps to trim the fat and get some excercise.

You need to do more than that. Get to your doctor ks and now. doesn't matter what you've got going. Just drop it and get there, and I mean now. Don't screw around with this, there's rarely ever any second chances. If this post sounds harsh and alarmist so be it, I'll wear the barbs after your there. Like I said, no second chances.

I know.

[kelly campbell]

I agree you need to get in and see a Dr...I was having similar symptoms about 12 years ago, I would get winded really fast and easily..taking naps when I did not before..that led to me going to the Dr. and the first wo of my now 5 stents...it really made a huge difference in how I felt. So quit messing around and get in by the way I am now 55 and I weigh about 230.

[glp2012]

I was in the same boat as you all. However, I completely changed my lifestyle and went from 210 down to 165 (my current weight). When I got my first drivers license, I weighed 151. I'd tell you how to do it, but it's so simple you won't believe me. I do life weights in my garage (when I have the time) and take three flights of stairs everyday at work, but other than that I do not exercise.

 

Instead, read the book The Belly Fat Cure by Jorge Cruise. At first I thought it was a load of crap. But, when you read it, it makes perfect sense. I modified his diet somewhat and had to really interpret what he was saying. However, if you look at the foods you are eating, it is all wrong. After being on my modified version of his diet, I started to lose weight after two weeks. Then I plateaued and had to modify it again.

 

Open your mind and the truth will be known.

 

Also, it would be a good idea to see a dietician before starting any diet changes.

 

I also should add that I was busting out of my size 38 pants and can now comfortably wear size 32...it can be done.

[SteveFord]

I'm 5'10" and weigh 165 so weight isn't a problem, it's being 55 years old and I smoke a pipe like a chimney.

 

If you cut out white sugar and white flour, red meat and fried foods the weight will just vanish and you'll have a lot more energy.

 

 

 

[Marshall Paul]

"Thankfully you're OK."

45 minutes after and he still was feeling the efects, does this sound OK?

"Running works a lot of muscle groups and gets that cardio and breathing up and pumping."

Damn straight it does. and that's the last thing he needs at the moment. By the clinical summation of his condition, if he gets his cardio up and pumping, I garenf##kentee you, he will suffer an event. Period.

I'll bet you my entire LP collection, still not feeling right after 45 minutes, the other symptoms he was and possibly still is at the moment feeling (now 2.5 hours) are raised, weak and thready pulse, cold clammy sweat between the groin, under armpits and on the forehead, finding it hard to focus, general weakness (find it hard to make a fist), and that's before the big symptoms hit.

What he needs to do is get to a doctor or ER right bloody now.

Don't begin to question my unfortunate knowledge about this.

[SoundMaster]

Original post deleted by author.

[Marshall Paul]

ks,

 

I'm with MP on this. See your doctor now. If he or she is not available, please go to urgent care or the emergency room.

 

This should not be taken lightly. I am closing in on 55 myself, I too am overweight and I smoke one to two packs a day.

 

No alcohol nor illegal drugs...but plenty of microwave-ready frozen salt 'meals'. Please get yourself checked out. Now.

Thanks Boogie.

[Searcy]

 

"Running works a lot of muscle groups and gets that cardio and breathing up and pumping."

Damn straight it does. and that's the last thing he needs at the moment.

 

Sorry I confused you. I wasn't actually telling him to take off in a dead run right this second...

[daveinspain]

 

If you cut out white sugar and white flour, red meat and fried foods the weight will just vanish and you'll have a lot more energy.

 

 

If you cut out white sugar and white flour, red meat and fried foods, ice cream and chocolate, exercise every day, go to bed early and don't smoke or drink, you will not live any longer it will just seem so….

 

All joking aside KS, go see your doctor… Your body was telling you something, listen...

[DanvillRob]

I suspect 95% of us are out of shape.

I'm not tall, but I weigh about 165. Never smoked, and drink moderately.....but I'm 65 and do virtually zero exercise. I work too much, and relax too little.

However, I love my life and wouldn't change a thing.

One day I'll be dead, and I don't want to have any regrets!

[Guest Farnsbarns]

I suspect 95% of us are out of shape.

I'm not tall, but I weigh about 165. Never smoked, and drink moderately.....but I'm 65 and do virtually zero exercise. I work too much, and relax too little.

However, I love my life and wouldn't change a thing.

One day I'll be dead, and I don't want to have any regrets!

 

You won't, you'll be dead.

[feldkeen4]

Become a rock star. They seem to be skinny. I have no clue why, none at all?

[ksdaddy]

Thanks all. I'm feeling okay now other than stressed right to F out from doing the groceries with my wife and stepdaughter at WalMart on a Saturday morning. I could smoke a cigarette about 3 feet long right now. I won't, but I could.

 

In 2003 I went on the Atkins diet, and that's when I quit drinking. I joke about me being drunk all the time 'back in the day' but that's just self effacing humor. I simply quit drinking because of the carbs in malt liquor and once I hit milestones like a month, 6 months, a year, I decided to just never drink again. I don't look down my nose on it, it's just not something I do anymore.

 

I did lose 58 pounds on Atkins in about 10 months. I went from 42 jeans to a baggy 36. Never did quite get comfortable in 34s. Once I started eating real food again I gained back every pound.

 

My wife and I are both trying to eat better without going on some crazy diet that we won't stick with. I mean just lifestyle choices where we substitute the horrific fattening junk food with something a little less deadly. We don't really know what we're doing and we're not about to snack on rice cakes. There's got to be a middle ground. We do have a treadmill and a weight machine. Both currently are dusty.

 

In 1983 I went to the ER because of a weird racing heartbeat that happened on occasion, like a sudden attempt to lift something or even a sudden outburst of laughter. The doctor really didn't have a clue and dignosed me with Wolfe Parkinson White Syndrome. I went on beta blockers and have eaten various ones over the years, Atenolol and Metoprolol mostly. Other doctors have called it Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrulation. A couple years ago I saw a specialist, I did the stress test (thought I would DIE right then and there) and he said he would go in and do an ablation of some sort. I went in a couple weeks later and when I was seeing nurse after nurse, one said something about them doing some kind of ablation in the ventricles. I said no, it's supposed to be in the atriums. Nooo, they said, it says right here ventricular something or other. So I shrugged, I figured they know more than I do.

 

Well as it turns out, they got IN there via my groin, got up to the heart and realized they were wrong. It was too late to just back out and take another route so they just bailed. My heart DID kick out of rhythm while I was 'under' and they had to shock it back into place, so at least they see the problem now.

 

So that 2 days was a waste. We opted (for now) to increase my metoprolol and add flecainide to the mix. Sometimes I wish I was brave and patient enough to just set it up where they go in and fix it right this time.

 

My local doctor... God love her, she's a sweetheart, but I don't think she takes me seriously. If I were to describe the events of this morning she would simply tell me I was out of shape. I don't seem to get many offers of a 'fix' from her, it's usually a roll of the eyes like "don't be such a wimp". I'd switch doctors but it's almost impossible to find one who's taking new patients. I had tried to get hooked up with a heart specialist (175 miles away) through them for at least six months and heard nothing, so I called them myself and got right in. My docotr almost acted a little pissy that I did it on my own. Not sure, but the vibe was there.

 

I will be closely monitoring the way I feel for the rest of the weekend and if I am the slightest bit alarmed I will get to the ER.

[stein]

I hear you on the healthcare provider thing.

 

These days, finding a Doctor who is willing or has the time to actually do some thinking on a patient is less likely. And if it isn't the normal problem that the rest of us may have, good luck.

 

And even if you DO find a good Doc, depending on the healthcare provider or the clinic, his or hers hands may be tied by the "company" he or she is working with.

 

These days, a person has to do MORE work making sure everything in the process is going right than the work they will put into you.

[Searcy]

When it comes to getting in shape I don't believe anyone who tells me that this workout routine for them diet is the magic fix. I believe everyone's physique and body chemistry are different and diet and workout have to be tailored to fit each person's age and metabolism. Well I don't eat fast food or a lot of sweets I do eat whatever I want to eat. When it comes to personal health diets are not the answer for me. Because of this I now understand that I need to exercise.

 

The routine is the hard thing. Once you get a few weeks behind you it goes from being a burden to something that can be enjoyable.

[jdgm]

From what you wrote, I believe that quite a part of your discomfort came from exerting yourself in the cold. 8deg.f = - 13deg centigrade if I've got that right, cold enough for your blood vessels to constrict....and you did 45 mins hard exertion equivalent to shovelling snow....I have just been reading about people in the NE of USA who have died while shovelling snow, you should read this one as it tells you what happens to your body -

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-30119410

 

By the way, I was diagnosed with Paroxsysmal atrial fibrillation in 2012.

I gave up cigarettes but it continued until earlier this summer when I stopped drinking a pint and a half of strong java a day.

Now I drink maybe 2 cups per week and my heart is 100% rock-solid again (though the scan found plaque so I've started statins now). Cut the caffeine.

 

As for exercise, at the moment I swim every day if I can; I swam over a kilometre yesterday (humble brag!!!).

Other than that, exercise bike or rowing machine - I don't run now as I don't want to mash my ankles and knee joints up any more than they are.

 

Best wishes!

[vomer]

I was going to post the link to the BBC article that jdgm did: it makes for interesting if scary reading. Cold + a.m. + unaccustomed exercise + upper body/arms exercise + after breakfast = cardio event recipe.

 

If you have any ongoing symptoms, as MP says, I would see the doc. It's always worth remembering that just because you have one problem diagnosed, it doesn't mean another one can't be happening as well.

[Mr. Natural]

ksdaddy, DO take care of yourself, man. Otherwise, life really IS too short.

 

(I need to do the same....)

[lazarusvt84]

My wife and I have some experience with morbid obesity...we're in our early 50's. She's tried everything...but in the end...it all comes back...and then some.

 

Last year's experiment was Dr. Joel Furman's program...I highly recommend it and she got amazing results with helping with everything (skin, hair, migraines, arthritis, regularity, fatigue, etc) BUT weight loss...but it's hard to stick with any diet that basically calls for wholesale lifestyle changes. Few are that disciplined. A few months ago, we suspected gluten....nope, tried a diet, then had her tested...she's not gluten intolerant nor have celiacs. My wife cooks and eats VERY well. No vices. What's keeping her fat??? .

 

I've always been thin...but when you get 40+....the belly fat is hard to keep away. In fact, 3 yrs ago, I was committed to getting my six packs back and did P90x with my son. I only weighed about 185 After 92 days, I was more muscular, never got sick, felt great, but lost only 5-7 pounds and just a little of that flabby gut. I ate pretty well too. I hated P90x and didn't work out for the next year!

 

A month ago, I came across JJ Virgin and her Sugar Impact concept and BINGO. I'm only on chapter 4 of her book...but 4 weeks ago, before I started reading her book, I simply gave up my sweet tea, sweet cereals, adding sugar to anything and avoiding sweets in general (but changed nothing else) and despite working out (light weight lifting) and adding a few pounds of muscle, I have lost nearly all of my belly fat! This morning I weighed in at 167 pounds. High school weight! Imagine what I could have done had I followed her program and avoided white bread (I ate that, along with plenty of pizza), potatoes (I ate that), white rice (yum yum), chips/Cheetos/pretzels (I ate plenty of those)...etc. I only gave up gratuitously sugary foods. I simply looked at grams of sugar. I put honey in my coffee (a few cups per week) and oatmeal (3-4 times/wk). I feel great, tons of energy, not tired at 2pm....no complaints!

 

I think Americans are fat because of highly refined carbs (much of what we eat) which turns to sugar, which is stored as fat. We are fat because of poor carb choices (oh and BIG FOOD, and ignorant doctors)...it's that SIMPLE. Atkins proved that fat doesn't make you fat (yes, we did Atkins diet)...we are now learning that CARBS make you fat!!

 

JJ Virgin's beef is with "sugar" (and everything we eat that quickly converts to sugar then fat) and how it totally messes with our blood sugar levels, insulin levels, cravings, ...blah, blah...it all turns to fat. Sugar and bad carbs (processed) turn to fat.

 

Regulate your "carb/sugar" intake....that's the key. I'm convinced.

 

My wife finished Virgin's book....plans to start in earnest after Thanksgiving.

[milod]

Well...

 

Once upon a time I'd train 4-8 hours daily, depending on the circumstances and overall schedule. Then again, at the time it was a more significant part of who I was.

 

Now I'm doing a 70-80 hour weekly desk job and I'm flabby. But at just some months to hitting 70, I'm still at 165 plus or minus such as where I've been since I was in my mid to late 20s. Right now I'm still with a chest cold on the edge of flu because I let a cupla workweeks go overboard and way too run down. So I'm following my own advice below...

 

Here's what I learned, and luckily managed to get across to a few folks, but not as many.

 

First, you can change your head. It won't be like training X hours a day or going on this or that diet. But usually problems arise from inside, not outside, regardless of your genetics. There's no reason in the world you can't see some immediate results by even deciding to check your blood pressure, then tell the body to relax internally and in the limbs, and drop the BP by 10 percent or more. Do you really feel your physical side?

 

Second, get rid of "guilt." It'll kill you. Be you. But be the you you expect yourself to be. If food is a day's high point every day, all day, that's feeding a mental hole, not one in the tummy. OTOH, expect that if the body has become accustomed to 2-3 pounds of food a day or more, it's going to expect that. Feel it. If you ain't tasting ketones, you probably aren't burning fat. Read up on that and consider the potential cons as well as pros.

 

(This web ref does a decent job of explaining it: http://diet.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Ketosis_Symptoms )

 

Third, don't expect to live forever. I think we only really are alive if we recognize deep down it may end in 10 minutes. Don't stress about it or that'll help kill you. A zenlike time of the mind itself truly reaching out to feel every part of our bodies, inside and out, and relaxing will make a huge difference to physical and mental well being. It's my observation that most folks don't have a clue what the inside of their left knee or the fourth toe on their right foot feels like.

 

Fourth, on the other hand, some of us have various body parts that are gonna wear out and may need maintenance. It may be overtly our fault or it may be genetics - or more likely, a combination of the above. Some of those body parts may be obvious like knees or hips, others less obvious like internal organs. Nothing wrong with physicians, but it helps to have one who sees a whole person. The question is, are you seeing the physician as a whole person too or just a specific complaint?

 

Fifth, in physical exertion, whether in or outa shape, even if you're an Olympic athlete, be careful training at more than 80-90 percent of potential. If you break something it ain't gonna win a medal or help encourage one's training. If you're old and outa shape, it won't encourage exercise if you hurt beyond a given point inside or muscles or joints.

 

Finally, yeah, current wisdom loves to blame smoking and weight gains for 90 percent of our ills. But nobody gets into the head of the individual who has let him or herself become a brain on a platform that moves instead of a whole person, mind and body, that is what we truly are. We ain't gonna live forever, but we can live while we're here - most of the time. Plenty of overweight smokers live to 90+ and still get around. How do they and not others? Genetics? Or are they at one inside?

 

m

[jdgm]

M

 

I must say; that all of it is really good but what do you mean in this bit here? I agree that some of us may be 'out of touch' but.....

 

 

....the individual who has let him or herself become a brain on a platform that moves instead of a whole person, mind and body, that is what we truly are.

m

[milod]

What I mean is what was written before in the little piece...

 

We too easily and too often lose contact and connection between mind and body.

 

That's why I made the comment about doing a bit of "zen" and feeling the fourth toe on our left foot, the inside of our right knee... every "external" body part to connect the bone and meat to the nerves and "mind." The same basically can be done to an extent with the internal organs.

 

When we lose that potential of conscious contact with the physical body, we've lost a bit of the connection between mind and body that makes us a whole.

 

Most of "us" are connected to our hands for pickin'. We're actually a bit unusual for that. Yet after a point of training, we don't think about which finger goes where for most of our playing as we've done for years. If I say, "play a root 'E' chord," few of us have to think, "Okay, my ring finger goes here, my index finger there and my pointer finger up here."

 

We're aware of the hand and fingers, but we've already crafted a far greater pathway between the brain and the hand.

 

Without that pathway we need conscious effort. With it, things happen beyond a grab or grip.

 

With it to as much of the external and internal body, we're increasingly a whole.

 

Otherwise, yeah, we know how to walk, talk and whatever, but that's with the external workings; the more we have that with more of ourselves, we are more whole... But we tend not to have that feedback that says what our body really is doing. Yeah, it's kinda an internal and zen thing, and there's no guarantee we won't die of illness or accident but... we certainly become more whole until...

 

m