After last night’s adventure to the ER with this bronchitis, today I decided that once I am strong enough I will do everything I can to become healthier. I don’t mean just getting over being sick. I am (already have) been changing my lifestyle.
I have abused my body for way to many years. I have smoked for more years than I want to admit and after Carol died, I drank myself to numb the pain. I quit drinking a few months ago and that was surprisingly easy. I knew it was not the smartest thing but I did it anyway. At times, impaired, my behavior was just wrong and it hurt people I cared about. It just had to stop. I hope those I hurt will someday forgive me and realize how sorry I am. Can that happen? I just don’t know, but I hope so.
Anyway, that is no longer an issue for me. I still struggle with my addiction to nicotine. I still crave this vile substance. I am on the patch, which I guess is better than actually smoking, but it still sucks.
So I have eliminated alcohol and nicotine. Now I need to focus on nutrition and exercise. I am going to join a gym and hire a personal trainer (at least to start). I will do whatever the PT tells me, I hope they can also help me with nutrition. I am sure a good one will be able to help with that.
If anyone who reads this has any ideas or tips, PLEASE share, I could use all the help I can get.
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8 comments:
I practice yoga. I started it back when I first got sick and it is a wonderful way to relax and also to center yourself, focus on pains (such as headaches) and eliminate them. I find I sleep better and it is really good, low impact and tones a person up very nicely. The best part is that just about anyone can do it.
Your on the right path...be patient with yourself.
Like Laura said; yoga is great- not only for the physical, but for the psychic benefits as well.
The mind - body are not separate entities. Improve the health of one, and the other will be effected.
Peace be with you...
Juliette
Ron,
Best of luck on the new lifestyle, I'm trying to do a lot of the same. My one piece of advice would be to shop around for a personal trainer. Make sure that you get one who understands your goals and needs and doesn't force upon you their own. Yeah, you want someone that will work your ass off, but you want one that can comprehend that 25 inch biceps may not be your primary goal.
Good luck, buddy.
Yoga is good. I just started that myself. Walking is excellent because it is easy and low-impact. Weight training is essential as we age too. The thing about exercise is to do what interests you and you find fun and if not fun then at least tolerable.
As for nutrition, fruits and veggies should be a priority and cut back on refined sugars.
My dad quit smoking cold turkey a little over two years ago after his first stroke. He said that knowing he would die if he smoked again was a great incentive.
Ron,
You are so hot, sexy, strong, confident and modest. It's no wonder every widow wants a piece of you!
Carolina
Ron,
Congrats on deciding to take the next step.
Some advice...? Hmm, well I'm not actively doing much on my own right now so I don't have anything other than that my Dr is always telling me and that is to do some walking.
But, this whole blog reading thing has resulted in some interesting and funny finds. It's amazing where you can go by clicking blog roll links on different blogs and just "traveling". The blogger "Next Blog" button has also landed me on a few as well. There are really a lot of talented bloggers out there and more than a few are pretty funny. But I digress.....
I found this blog "Diary of a Mad DC Cabbie" that has a recent entry about the people with New Year's resolutions. It's both humourous and insightful and it sounds to me like a common sense approach to getting started on the personal fitness road; maybe you might want to check it out:
Please Don't March Out
As Annie says, more fruits and veggies and less refined sugars is a good start.
Over the years I've also cut out most dairy (I still eat some cheeses) as it turns out I'm lactose intolerant. Soy milk is kind of yucky; I've found rice milk to be an excellent substitute for when I do have cereal or porridge from time to time.
I gave up most whole grains (I think the gluten did not agree with me); we go through loaves of organic bread from Silver Hill bakery - it's bread made without flour. Grains are okay - as long as they're sprouted grains.
I don't eat much meat anymore and when I do I try to find grass fed beef, bison or wild game. I find most bulk raised chicken to be pretty tasteless; farm raised, free range are okay (but I don't pay that outrageous $30 per chicken for it - that's just shafting the buyer in my book); I avoid pork altogether - it's just nasty.
Really, there's a wealth of information on vegetarian or vegan foods on the web; one does not have to consign oneself strictly to salad.
If you're interested I can send you a few links.
Same holds true for funny blogs for a bit of "lighter" reading when you need it. Here are a couple more samples:
> Johnny Virgil's 15 Minute Lunch. You may have seen this JCPenney post of his that went “viral”.
> Uncle Keith’s A Riot is an Ugly Thing. This guy’s sense of humour may be up your alley.
Take care and good health.
Rob
Ron,
Have you tried Chantix to quit smoking? I've heard great things about it from really heavy smokers. Also, are you taking bupropion as well as the patch? Ask your doc.
Keep at it! Don't give up!
And btw, I am not the Naperville nitwit. = )
Susie Handwalker
Ron, I have enjoyed reading your blog. I too am trying so hard to take back my health. I blog onmyspace cause I haven't figured out how to do this..lol.. Good luck!!
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