Book Nook Cafe discussion
Health-Exercise-Diet- Beauty
>
Health- Diet- Exercise ~~ 2022
Kiki, that's a surprising story. Thank goodness you had your wits about you to call 911. Also, i didn't realize there even were bile duct stones. Thanks for that info.I have a friend, raised on a farm in South Dakota, healthy as a thoroughbred until she hit age 45. Since then, in fairly short order, she found she was now diabetic, advanced celiac disease, thyroid and last month alopecia areata. Since the first diagnosis she's been vegetarian, followed by no flour, etc. And the hits just keep on coming.
On the other hand, as i mentioned elsewhere, my sister-in-law, has been battling brain cancer (i forget which sort) for a decade now. It was caught early (a seizure alerted doctors) and the tumor appears to be gone. Meanwhile, she experienced all the problems with treatment. Like you, she reminds us things could be much worse. And she's grateful they aren't!
Kiki wrote: "madrano wrote: "Now, I have green juice every afternoon because even without a gallbladder a person can get bile duct stones. "What do you usually put in your green juice.
I don't juice but I do make smoothies. I like to keep the fiber.
madrano wrote: "Kiki, that's a surprising story. Thank goodness you had your wits about you to call 911. Also, i didn't realize there even were bile duct stones. Thanks for that info.I have a friend, raised on a..."
I'm sorry to read about your friend and sister-in-law, madrano. I think sometimes these challenges give us a chance to become even healthier than we were before. I hope they both find health and happiness in the new year.
Alias Reader wrote: "Kiki wrote: "madrano wrote: "Now, I have green juice every afternoon because even without a gallbladder a person can get bile duct stones. "What do you usually put in your green juice.
I don't ..."
I have a pretty comprehensive smoothie for breakfast that includes protein powder, flax, yogurt for probiotics, and a lot of fiber, so that's why I juice for a lighter lunch. I put in anything and everything that goes together. I do try to stick to organic, though. I use a cruciferous vegetable in all (bok choy is a favorite), or at least I try, berries, seeds, whole grains, cucumbers, celery, spinach, kale, chard, and anything and everything you like that mixes well together. Berries often add natural sweetness without adding too many calories unless you use too many berries.
I try to stay away from cooking food, so I limit my cooked food to my dinner, which I try to keep light, like squash soup or Tuscan bean soup. In the summer, I love corn chowder. Corn is not the healthiest thing to eat, but I do love it.
I've also reduced my portions quite a bit. I've found the typical American diet is way too heavy on meat, flour, and big proportions. The Italian diet is almost as bad. All the pasta and heaviness of the meals.
I appreciate you sharing, Kiki.
Alias Reader wrote: "I appreciate you sharing, Kiki."You're welcome. Happy to share.
Kiki, thank you for you good wishes for my SIL and friend. Their attitudes have been terrific all along, which they attribute to part of their success in facing these obstacles.
Your smoothie sounds similar to what my daughter does. I try similar, on occasion, but cleaning the blender is awful. This is why the Blendjet called to me.
You're welcome, madrano.The BlendJet is so easy to use and clean-up is accomplished in minutes if you don't have the blender on a hike or at the office, etc. Just fill with water and a bit of detergent, run it through a cycle, rinse it out, and then let it drain. It's ready for another go. I got one for myself and one for my oldest brother, and we love them. I've used mine every day since getting it. It is lightweight but seems well-built and sturdy. It blends ice, no problem. I love the fact that they are rechargeable, too. I also got some of the smoothie packets. My favorites are the Very Berry and the Peanut Butter and Banana Protein. Of course, I'm crazy about peanut butter, but all the flavors seem good. For coffee drinkers, they have lattes, too.
madrano wrote: "Kiki, thank you for you good wishes for my SIL and friend. Their attitudes have been terrific all along, which they attribute to part of their success in facing these obstacles."I believe a good attitude goes a long way, too.
Yum, lattes too! I see there are two sizes, do you travel with yours? If so, which one? The smaller seems a better idea but i suspect my husband would soon want a smoothie, too. Oh! i just figured out a ploy--he uses it after me with the understanding the last to use it must clean it. Even easier for me!
madrano wrote: "Yum, lattes too! I see there are two sizes, do you travel with yours? If so, which one? The smaller seems a better idea but i suspect my husband would soon want a smoothie, too. Oh! i just figured ..."I got the smaller one. I didn't want to invest too much in it until I saw if I liked it. Well, I love it! But I think the size it comes with is fine for my needs. I bought a sky blue one for my daughter and a blush one for myself. I have not traveled with mine yet, but I think traveling with one would be easy. Besides packs of smoothie mix, protein smoothie mix, and latte mix, they have too smoothie recipe books for sale.
I saw an offer for the recipe book. My daughter has been encouraging me for years to have smoothies for breakfast. She found a mail-order company online which sells packets to blend on them. This way she doesn't have to pack them all when traveling, although she's only tried this in the US. Sometimes she hadn't planned it but found a good blender where she was, so ordered.Thanks, also, for the quick reply, Kiki.
Is anyone setting up and exercise goals/habits for the new year? I keep track of what I do on a monthly exercise grid sheet. I want to start a habit of stretching. So the last few days I did 5 min. in the morning.
I also would like to plank. My goal is 2 minutes by the end of the year. I started today with 30 seconds. I used to be able to do 2 min. but unless you consistently do it, you lose it.
For years now I have a minimum 10,000+ Daily step goal. That's about 4 miles. I usually average 15,000. I've only missed a handful of days. Today I walked 7 miles. So I will continue with that. I also go to the gym to do the weight lifting machines. I do light weights. I want to keep that up.
Alias, well accomplished! Did you mean you will continue with the 7 miles now or that it was a one-day only feat? One of the things we've given up by living in a B&B are weights. Next month our home will be near our city's senior citizen center which offers a small gym, so we'll pick that up. Meanwhile, we lift varying sized jugs filled with water.
Good luck with your plans. The plank work is to be commended!
Alias Reader wrote: "Is anyone setting up and exercise goals/habits for the new year? I keep track of what I do on a monthly exercise grid sheet. I want to start a habit of stretching. So the last few days I did 5 m..."
I used to go to the gym every day. When I lived in Europe, I competed in endurance runs and endurance cycling. The heart needs exercise, of course, but one can overdo it as one can overdo eating, and endurance runners and cyclists - like me - do overdo it. So, I gave myself AFib at only twenty-three! I'm taking beta blockers now and have a cardiologist appointment on February 2nd. I think endurance sports are out for me. I also suffered a terrible meniscus tear which will necessitate a knee replacement. Right now, I'm only using my Cubii and barbells for my arms. I hope I can get back to hiking and cycling, in moderation by summer.
Good luck with your exercise program. I would love to be exercising now. I'll be happy enough to be back in the swing of thing in summer or autumn of 2023.
madrano wrote: "Alias, well accomplished! Did you mean you will continue with the 7 miles now or that it was a one-day only feat? One of the things we've given up by living in a B&B are weights. Next month our h..."
I have a minimum of 10K steps daily. That is 4 miles. Roughly 2500 steps is a mile.
Some days I do 20K other days 10K. As long as I do 10K I've met my goal. In the summer I tend to get more steps. On days I lift weights I usually stay around 10K. My all time high a few years ago was 33K about 13 miles. That was over the course of a full day where I also went to the gym and took dance classes, rode the subway and other stuff.
I am a Fitbit person as you can tell. :)
Yes, fitbits are terrific for those who want to keep tabs. My sister swears by hers. She also swears at me but that’s another folder altogether. ;-)
madrano wrote: "Yes, fitbits are terrific for those who want to keep tabs. My sister swears by hers. She also swears at me but that’s another folder altogether. ;-)":)
Gretchen Rubin who also has a podcast with her, sister said her Don't Break the Chain, journal is her bestseller.
That is what the Fitbit does for me. I set the step goal and it tracks if I meet that daily goal.
madrano wrote: "Yes, fitbits are terrific for those who want to keep tabs. My sister swears by hers. She also swears at me but that’s another folder altogether. ;-)"LOL re the sister. Whatever motivates a person to exercise or just move the body is a good thing.
Agreed. Since we are spending the evening with said sister, i will mention she has walked almost every day of 2022, using that Fitbit as encouragement, in its own way. Proud of her...and i hope to emulate her this year.
Alias Reader wrote: "Is anyone setting up and exercise goals/habits for the new year? I keep track of what I do on a monthly exercise grid sheet. I want to start a habit of stretching. So the last few days I did 5 m..."
This past year I did less hiking (lower number of hikes and less total miles) that the year before, so this next year I want to get back up to the numbers two years ago. I also need to get in shape for my honeymoon in september to glacier national park and the canadian rockies since we will probably hike almost every day for two weeks straight!
I also want to start doing some stretching exercises since I am now 50 and starting to feel old, but I hate any kind of exercise besides hiking and walking outdoors (those are more about being outside and exploring for me and not exercise) and no matter what I do, I can't stick with anything. Half the time I can't even start. There are just too many more exciting things to do than exercise. So I am not optimistic about that happening at all.
Julie wrote: "Alias Reader wrote: "Is anyone setting up and exercise goals/habits for the new year? I keep track of what I do on a monthly exercise grid sheet. I want to start a habit of stretching. So the la..."
I feel that way about exercise, too, but I do force it for the sake of my health. I love hiking, but don't like training for it. Napping or reading is more fun. Almost anything is more fun than exercise for the sake of exercise. LOL
madrano wrote: "Agreed. Since we are spending the evening with said sister, i will mention she has walked almost every day of 2022, using that Fitbit as encouragement, in its own way. Proud of her...and i hope to ..."Well done done, Debs sister ! ⭐🚶♂️
My longest streak this year was 181 days of 10K+ steps.
Since that I missed 2 days for a total of 3 missed days this year.
Go Fitbit !
Julie wrote: I also need to get in shape for my honeymoon in september to glacier national park and the canadian rockies since we will probably hike almost every day for two weeks straight!"Happy Honeymoon, Julie ! 🧡
Hiking in the Rockies is some serious hiking. It sounds wonderful.
Kiki wrote: "I feel that way about exercise, too, but I do force it for the sake of my health. I love hiking, but don't like training for it. Napping or reading is more fun. Almost anything is more fun than exercise for the sake of exercise. LOLI found exercising with friends makes it easy. Pre pandemic I belong to the YMCA and I made some very good friends. We all took dance classes that the Y offered. So much fun !
Julie wrote: "I also need to get in shape for my honeymoon in september to glacier national park and the canadian rockies since we will probably hike almost every day for two weeks straight!..."Best Wishes for your wedding and marriage, Julie! You will be honeymooning in one of the most gorgeous spots on earth, imo. You'll be glad you trained a bit for it. Make certain the New Man is patient.
This is my hiking advice to all people, btw. My hiking skills vary enormously in different terrains and i need my husband's understanding. Also, remember the altitude & eat bananas and avocados to adjust to that.
Alias Reader wrote: "Well done done, Debs sister ! ⭐🚶♂️My longest streak this year was 181 days of 10K+ steps.
Since that I missed 2 days for a total of 3 missed days this year....."
I'll pass that on to her, Alias. She "knows" you from my discussions about this group & books we've read.
I think a 181 day streak is terrific. I'm aiming for 10 days in a row myself. Ok, not really but my consistency is lacking.
I wish for all of us happy exercising and that it becomes a habit that is enjoyed.
I'll pass that on to her, Alias. She "knows" you from my discussions about this group & books we've read...."
My streak actually went over a few years. I was around 800+ days
of 10K + steps.
It was a bit crazy trying to fit it in year after year. However, during covid shutdown, walking kept me sane.
Alias Reader wrote: "My streak actually went over a few years. I was around 800+ days of 10K + steps. ..."Impressive! Because my sister is living with my brother, in his house, and because she hasn't traveled much this year, she claims walking daily kept her sane, too. And it's not even the shutdown any longer!
Rachel wrote: "I wish for all of us happy exercising and that it becomes a habit that is enjoyed."Here! Here!
Alias Reader wrote: "I'll pass that on to her, Alias. She "knows" you from my discussions about this group & books we've read...."
My streak actually went over a few years. I was around 800+ days
of 10K + steps.
It..."
Impressive.
Alias Reader wrote: "Kiki wrote: "I feel that way about exercise, too, but I do force it for the sake of my health. I love hiking, but don't like training for it. Napping or reading is more fun. Almost anything is more..."It is easier with other people. I agree.
Thanks, Rachel. It's a plus that I enjoy exercising, so it's not a chore for me. I get antsy if I don't exercise.
Kiki wrote: "I feel that way about exercise, too, but I do force it for the sake of my health. ..."Really, really hard. Especially when it makes me achy and tired and does not make me feel better. Even when I hike, I usually don't want to do anything else for the rest of the day.
madrano wrote: " Also, remember the altitude & eat bananas and avocados to adjust to that...."Do those help? I haven't heard that.
Although there is no shortage of very long and strenuous hikes where we are going, I have also found lots of shorter ones with less elevation gain too. We don't plan on being up in super duper high elevations, but I am worried that higher than we are used to will make us tire quickly.
Julie wrote: "madrano wrote: " Also, remember the altitude & eat bananas and avocados to adjust to that...."Do those help? I haven't heard that.
Although there is no shortage of very long and strenuous hikes w..."
Altitude doesn't bother me unless I go to 15,000 feet, but then I lived in the mountains of Switzerland part-time. I think I'm acclimatized to high altitudes.
Julie wrote: "madrano wrote: " Also, remember the altitude & eat bananas and avocados to adjust to that...."Do those help? I haven't heard that.
Although there is no shortage of very long and strenuous hikes w..."
Two summers ago when i arrived in Flagstaff, Arizona, i got winded walking our luggage to our motel room. I panicked. After reading about those two fruits, i had them two days in a row before our more strenuous hikes. It surely seemed to help.
To be fair, the worst was around a mile down & another mile up, on sorta stairs, to see ancient cliff dwellings at https://www.nps.gov/waca/index.htm . I didn't die, at least. :-)
That sounds amazing. I would like to go there and Flagstaff is not that far from home. It would be a good place to go in the summer to get away from the Las Vegas heat.
True, Rachel. We lived in Phoenix in the mid-70s and escaped north several times each summer. Back then the roads weren't well traveled, so even the drive was relaxing. Give it a try, but avoid monsoon season. We were there in '21 that time of year (August) and were amazed at how quickly parts of town closed down due to mudslides.
I want to get away from the cold! Can't stand it!
And winter has barely begun, Kiki. When you traveled regularly, did you try to spend winters in warm climates? We like to beon the road during the shoulder seasons, meaning we are open to both extremes but seldom are stuck in one exclusively. Try to keep warm thoughts--got any desert books handy?
madrano wrote: "And winter has barely begun, Kiki. When you traveled regularly, did you try to spend winters in warm climates? We like to beon the road during the shoulder seasons, meaning we are open to both extr..."No, I traveled for work, in part, so I usually found myself wherever they wanted me to sing. If I stay at my relative's house in Ohio, it will be warm in March or April, if I'm in Italy, about the same because I'm from the North of Italy. These are the months I don't like if I'm anyplace cold, January, February, and March, though it's not too cold here now. It's above 60 F., but that's cold to me. LOL
I don't have any desert books handy, but I am reading A SUITABLE BOY and in that book the people are often complaining of the heat.
I hope that book heats you up somewhat.The way i best understand your comments about winter is to compare them to me & summer. Even 70 F feels warm to me in many places we've visited. An unseasonably warm 80 degrees heavily bothered me last May when we were in Greece. I realized this was out of whack, but there i stood, stewing in the heat. :-(
madrano wrote: "I hope that book heats you up somewhat.The way i best understand your comments about winter is to compare them to me & summer. Even 70 F feels warm to me in many places we've visited. An unseason..."
I am just the opposite. I have been known to wear a light coat when it's "only" 70 F., and don't feel warm until the thermometer hits 80 F. LOL
When we lived in Arizona we met many people like you. They were so accustomed to the heat, that they put on their coats around 70 degrees. And they didn't know how to drive in rain, as they seldom had much. My Seattle, Washington, sister-in-law cannot tolerate much sunrise, so acclimated to the rains is she. And when we lived in the Dakotas, those born there were coatless and wearing short sleeved shirts when the temps reached 45. And on their bikes!
It's fun to hear about the way some people adapt...and not.
madrano wrote: "When we lived in Arizona we met many people like you. They were so accustomed to the heat, that they put on their coats around 70 degrees. And they didn't know how to drive in rain, as they seldom ..."My brothers will go out in shorts and tee shirts when it's 45 F. They comment on how warm it is. LOL
Now me, when I go to bed, I put on thermal underclothes, then an old pair of exercise pants and a pullover sweater. On top of that, I put leg warmers and a Polartec jacket. I fold a heavy winter blanket in half, so it's like two blankets, and put a thin summer one on over that. Occasionally, I will also wear a knitted cap to bed since most of our body heat is lost through our head. I sleep like that from October to March. I can't say I'm really comfortable as I can barely move, but I certainly am warm. And this is in a house where the thermostat is kept at about 72 degrees.
When I was in the hospital in July, they gave me two extra blankets and turned the AC way up in my room so it wouldn't run as often.
Kiki wrote: "madrano wrote: "And winter has barely begun, Kiki. When you traveled regularly, did you try to spend winters in warm climates? We like to beon the road during the shoulder seasons, meaning we are o..."I read A Suitable Boy when it was a new novel and loved it. In India, it is not only the heat but the humidity especially before monsoon season.
Book Nook Cafe
Books mentioned in this topic
Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease / Dr Dean Ornish and Healthy Medic / Food for Life (other topics)Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease: The Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven, Nutrition-Based Cure (other topics)
Keep Moving: And Other Truths About Living Well Longer (other topics)
My Lucky Life in and Out of Show Business (other topics)
Fiber Fueled: The Plant-Based Gut Health Program for Losing Weight, Restoring Your Health, andOptimizing Your Microbiome (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Gretchen Rubin (other topics)Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr. (other topics)
Gretchen Rubin (other topics)
Sara Moulton (other topics)
Carla Hall (other topics)
More...
I thought I had a perfectly healthy gallbladder until I got sick one day after eating a pastry from Starbucks. I didn't think about it much. I got better, but then woke one night with the worst back and abdominal pain I could ever imagine. Thinking it would pass, bad as it was, I waited three hours or so, and it only got worse. At that point, I called 911, and was taken to the hospital and after an ultrasound and a CT scan, I discovered I had pancreatitis and a gallbladder filled with stones, two golf ball-sized ones had lodged in my common bile duct. I had to have Fentanyl for the pain. My surgeon told me it usually takes him 30-40 minutes to remove a gallbladder, but mine was so bad, it took 90. And I had no idea. I sure am glad it's out. The post-surgical pain only lasted about a day. Now, I have green juice every afternoon because even without a gallbladder a person can get bile duct stones. That's when I found out I had AFib, too. Talk about hitting a person when they're down! LOL Could be a lot worse, so I'm grateful.