16. July 2010 by PawBill.

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV).  

I failed to follow my nutritional and exercise regimen during the month of June and most of July.  Why did I deviate?  I’ll use the excuse that I was traveling most of the time; those buffet meals and fast food stops can be killers.  I wrote of my western Trafalgar tour, and it is posted on this site.  My annual trip to the Fiddler’s convention in Smithville, Tennessee during the week of the fourth of July and stay with my brother added to my excuse; bacon and eggs, grilled steaks (my brother is an excellent cook) and barbecue at the festival were just too much to overcome.

This week I am in Clearwater, Florida.  Well, to be exact, I am in Bellaire Beach, Florida staying at my mother-in-law’s home. I just returned from a two-mile walk on the beach.  No “oil balls” to report in this area.  It felt great. 

Prior to June I was maintaining my weight at 185-186 pounds. This morning I weighed in at 190 pounds.  I can tell the difference so my goal is to return to my regimen and to bring my weight down to the 180-182 pound range.  While I did not totally blow my nutritional program, I am still trying to eat six small meals a day.  I did cutback on my exercise routine and that was not good.  For me, exercise is a key ingredient in maintaining my target weight. Today I am back on schedule.  My waist pant size remains at 34 inches, down from a 38, but the stomach flab has grown somewhat; it has got to go. 

Late in June I did a nuclear stress test.  I do not have my results, but I feel like I did better on this test than I did on the test I did a year ago.  No angina pains, and they had me running the last minute to get my heart beating at the minimum level needed to do the final injection; medicine that controls how fast my heart can beat was stopped twenty-four hours prior to the test, but apparently it needs to be stopped for forty-eight hours or longer.  I am convinced that my heart is repairing itself, and that when I do finally cross over (an old term for death) it will be from some other cause rather than from heart problems. 

One last thought. At my present age I do not plan to allow doctors to control my longevity of life.  For instance, if I were diagnosed with prostate cancer I would not accept any treatment. It would just have to run its course.  I have seen too many people allow treatments that perhaps prolonged their lives but did not give them quality of life for the pain and suffering they endured.  Of course, until ObamaCare kicks in you can do as you please with your own life.   Stay tuned.  I’ll provide updates when available. 

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26. March 2010 by PawBill.

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV). 

The results of my recent medical tests, an upper esophageal endoscopy with a Maloney dilation, a barium swallow with x-rays, and an esophageal manometry study, revealed that I had a Hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter.  This was all good news with no treatment being recommended at this time.  Treatment if ever required would be either an endoscopic Botox injection or a surgical myotomy.  This explains the discomfort I was having that bore some similarity to an angina attack in that Nitro tablets eased the discomfort.

I do have one more avenue to explore and that will be with my Chiropractor.  Standing over a sink and washing dishes results in a similar discomfort that radiates through my chest area.  My wife says a neck and back brace would solve this problem. 

My weight is now within my target range.  My blue jean size is now a 34” x 32.” In January of 2009 I wore a size 38” x 32.”   My medications, however, are still the same, which tells me my blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and etc. are all primarily hereditary.

As a side note, one-fourth cup of Oatmeal with cinnamon and walnuts eaten every day will solve digestive problems. Give it a try. 

I will report again next month. 

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22. March 2010 by PawBill.

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV). 

Progress report for period ending 03-20-10 

Vital Signs:            02-06-10  02-13-10   02-20-10   02-27-10   03-06-10  03-13-10  03-20-10

Weigh (lbs):            191.5       189.5         190.0         189.5         188.0         188.5        187    

Blood Pressure:       24/59     127/65       126/64       125/61       131/66        139/68      122/60

Pulse:                        54             63             61              56            54               60             60

Waist:                       41             40             40              40            39.5            39             39 

This has been a good week, and my allergies have almost cleared.  I go to the doctor on Tuesday for a consultation.  My test results are all in, and I am looking forward to resolving my angina/acid reflux problems.  I will post the results on Wednesday or Thursday.  

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15. March 2010 by PawBill.

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV).

Progress report for period ending 03-13-10

Vital Signs:           01-30-10   02-06-10  02-13-10   02-20-10   02-27-10   03-06-10  03-13-10

Weigh (lbs):          192.0          191.5       189.5         190.0          189.5        188.0       188.5 

Blood Pressure:      118/62       124/59     127/65      126/64       125/61     131/66       139/68

Pulse:                        57              54             63             61              56           54               60

Waist:                       41              41             40             40              40          39.5             39

I am finally over my allergy: two weeks of coughing and hacking seems to be the total duration of one of my allergy episodes.  I average two to three allergy attacks a year.  I feel much better today, and I am looking forward to warmer weather and some sunshine for a change.

Maybe this week I will get my test results, and I can begin to make some sense out of my occasional chest discomfort.  I will post the results as soon as I get them. 

My ultimate weight goal, I have decided, will be to maintain my weight between 180 and 185 pounds. Friends tell me I look better with some “fat” on my body.  I like to think of it in terms of muscle weight rather than fat. We will see. 

One of my doctors seems to think I can reduce the total number of medications I am taking with a “significant weight loss.”  Most of my adult life my weight averaged between 170 to 175 pounds, but my cholesterol and blood pressure were still above average.  I really believe heredity is playing a more significant role than weight alone in causing my heart problems.  

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8. March 2010 by PawBill.

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV).  

Progress report for period ending 03-06-10 

Vital Signs:            01-23-10  01-30-10   02-06-10  02-13-10  02-20-10  02-27-10  03-06-10

Weigh (lbs):            191.5       192.0          191.5       189.5        190.0         189.5       188.0

Blood Pressure:      123/61      118/62       124/59     127/65      126/64       125/61     131/66

Pulse:                         61             57              54             63             61              56           54

Waist:                        41              41              41             40            40               40          39.5 

How I feel:

 I am feeling better this week.  My allergy has almost cleared.  I did, hopefully, my final esophageal test this morning that measured how well my swallowing worked, i.e., was it restrictive, uniform and etc. Maybe I will have some answers next week.  

Physical activity:

Physical activity has increased with the warming weather.  My waistline needs to be subjected to intense weight activity to rid myself of some fat and build some muscle.  That will be this weeks objective.

Nutrition schedule:

My nutrition meal schedule and food items remain the same.  I will reduce the portion size of my meals this week. My eating (quantity) is still too great for what I want to accomplish.  

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1. March 2010 by PawBill.

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV). 

Progress report for period ending 02-27-10

Vital Signs:           01-09-10  01-16-10  01-23-10  01-30-10   02-06-10  02-13-10  02-20-10  02-27-10

Weigh (lbs):            194.0       193.0        191.5       192.0          191.5       189.5        190.0        189.5

Blood Pressure:     128/62     127/62      123/61      118/62       124/59     127/65      126/64        125/61

Pulse:                       73            61             61             57              54             63             61              56

Waist:                      43            42             41              41              41             40            40               40 

How I feel:

I’ve had a mild cold this week so I have not felt that great.  Last week’s tests revealed that I have an esophageal sphincter problem that will need further evaluations and tests. 

– 

Physical activity:

Physical activity has been somewhat self restrictive in that I succumbed to laziness given my cold.

– 

Nutrition schedule:

My nutrition meal schedule and food items remain the same.  My eating (quantity) has not slowed.

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22. February 2010 by PawBill.

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV). 

 Progress report for period ending 02-20-10

 Vital Signs:           01-09-10  01-16-10  01-23-10  01-30-10   02-06-10  02-13-10  02-20-10 

Weigh (lbs):            194.0       193.0        191.5       192.0          191.5       189.5        190.0

Blood Pressure:     128/62     127/62      123/61      118/62       124/59     127/65      126/64

Pulse:                       73            61             61             57              54             63             61

Waist:                      43            42             41              41              41             40            40 

How I feel:

I feel great.  I had a Barium study on Thursday.  This Wednesday I will have a Gastroscopy.  Both test are related to my perceived acid reflux problem.  It is either angina pain or reflux.  I should know something next week.

Physical activity:

No change in exercise program. 

Nutrition schedule:

My nutrition meal schedule and food items remain the same.

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15. February 2010 by PawBill.

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV).  

Progress report for period ending 02-13-10 

Vital Signs:             01-09-10      01-16-10      01-23-10    01-30-10      02-06-10   02-13-10

 Weight:                    194lbs          193lbs          191.5lbs      192lbs        191.5lbs       189.5lbs

Blood Pressure:       128/62          127/62           123/61        118/62          124/59      127/65

Pulse:                         73                   61                 61              57                 54               63

Waist:                         43                  42                 41              41                 41               40

This past week my wife and I were vacationing in Florida at my mother-in-law’s home.   I was afraid I would not be able to stay on my schedule and my weight would go up.  The weather was terrible: cold, windy and a lot of rain.  We spent all of the week doing repairs, hanging pictures and general handy man type work.  We go down once or twice a quarter and “earn our keep” by doing miscellaneous repairs.  It is, however, mostly beach walking and fishing when the weather is nice.

We are back at home so I’ll return to my exercise routines.  My latest lab report showed that I was deficient in Vitamin D so I am now taking 50,000 units of Vitamin D once a week for eight weeks. 

Nutrition schedule:

My nutrition meal schedule and food items remain the same despite my being out of town. 

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8. February 2010 by PawBill.

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV).  

Progress report for period ending 02-06-10 

Vital Signs:             01-09-10      01-16-10      01-23-10    01-30-10      02-06-10

 Weight:                    194lbs          193lbs          191.5lbs      192lbs           191.5

Blood Pressure:       128/62          127/62           123/61        118/62          124/59

Pulse:                         73                   61                 61              57                54

Waist:                         43                  42                 41              41                41

How I feel:

I feel good both mentally and physically.  My gastrointestinal specialist has scheduled an x-ray and a throat procedure to explore my acid reflux symptoms.  I’ll fill you in after the procedures are complete.  My nitroglycerin pills relieve both my angina pains and acid reflux symptoms; I need to know what I am experiencing.

Physical activity:

I maintained my morning exercise and step program as planned.  I will be out of town most of this week, and my only exercise will be walking.  I must control my eating this week so as to not gain back any weight.

Nutrition schedule:

My nutrition meal schedule and food items remain the same. 

I am concerned that my weight has not gone down as fast as I would have liked.   My food intake may be greater than I need, or maybe I need to increase my exercise program to make it a little more strenuous. Maybe I am not frying enough of the fat out of the bacon; some say turkey bacon would be better. HA! HA!

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1. February 2010 by PawBill.

My Weight Loss Program for 2010 

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV). 

Progress report for period ending 01-30-10 

Vital Signs:             01-09-10      01-16-10       01-23-10       01-30-10

 Weight:                    194lbs           193lbs            191.5lbs     192lbs

Blood Pressure:       128/62          127/62             123/61        118/62

Pulse:                         73                   61                   61              57

Waist:                         43                  42                   41              41

How I feel:

I feel good both mentally and physically.  However, I am still bothered by reflux symptoms.  I have been back on Nexium one week.  I never have any symptoms while exercising so I am fairly certain my symptoms are reflux related.

Physical activity:

I have maintained my morning exercise and step program.  I am going to bump up the intensity this week: 20-minute mile on both treadmill and elliptical machines.

Nutrition schedule:

My nutrition meal schedule and food items remain the same.   Except, my social calendar had me eating at more restaurants this past week.  Whole grain breads and chips were my weakness.  Also, I ate less fruit this week than I had in previous weeks. I love fruit, but I was eating five plus servings of fruit between meals in addition to my snacks. 

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