Even at Level 1 we have these dreams…or at least I still do. When I wrote my last COVID-19 Wednesday update back in September, I really thought that I could move on and that my life would return to whatever the post-lockdown norm was. But, it turns out that I was wrong and that latent health issues came to the fore and are going to have to be dealt with and not ignored. Old age is not for sissies. Although technically at 67, I am categorized as middle-aged. Go figure. But I am taking one issue at a time and this posting will look at some of those and I would encourage you to visit your doctor for a check-up as the virus has taken a toll on us all. Whether you want to admit it or not.
It was exactly 2 years ago that the removal of a wisdom tooth caused me to end up in ICU, with a heart problem that needed to be stabilized. If I had not had the tooth removed, then the “flutter” might not have been diagnosed. This issue has still not been resolved and three procedures later the flutter is still with me. That being said, one of the procedures was successful, if only for a short time. With COVID-19 stalking the halls of the various hospitals here in Gauteng, I am not in a hurry to put myself into a situation where I might contract the virus, so I live with a slightly wonky heartbeat.
It now seems that a machine similar to this one might be an answer to some of my heart and sleep issues. I have been trying this out for the past week and given my original reservations, I was pleasantly surprised by what I experienced when I slept with it. Called CPAP or to use the correct terminology, continuous positive airway pressure therapy, it enables people, like myself and MANY others, who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) breathe more easily while asleep. A CPAP machine increases air pressure in your throat so that your airway doesn’t collapse when you breathe in. Modern technology is bloody amazing and I believe that certain models are able to be controlled from an app on a smartphone.
BUT THAT IS NOT ALL as TV ads will inform you. I have decided to take control of my fitness levels and at the same time get rid of my COVID-19 lockdown weight gain. It sort of crept up on me, and jeans that fit me comfortably at the beginning of March I can just barely get into. All of that will hopefully change over the next two months. This fat calliper and the tape measure will hopefully become BETTER friends than they are currently.
In order to get my fitness core and flexibility levels back, I have placed my regime in the capable hands of biokineticist Hennie Basson, who has his practice in Parkhurst. As this is only the beginning of our journey, I will be updating my journey on a regular basis in my Linden Blog. (https://lindenjohannesburg.blogspot.com/) Suffice to say that the assessment and the one session that I have had to date have just proved the fact that I have a lot of work to do. (Hennie Basson Biokineticist)
And, of course, I am going to blame lockdown for in excess bread and plethora of sweet treats that I have enjoyed for the past 8 months. But all that is about to change. Again, I have placed myself in the hands of a specialist, this time a nutritionist, who has presented both my wife and I with eating plans designed to become a lifestyle eating choice. However, I will have to learn to let red meat go and to embrace vegetables with love.
And I am back on the road again. From being a long-distance runner, my goals have changed and I am now looking to break my 5km PB. Having run for the past 40 years I know that I have to run/walk for at least 21 days in order for all of the above to become a habit once again.
I am intent on getting back to where I was health-wise at the beginning of 2020, and if it takes me a while, then so be it. And if you are in a similar situation to me, then might I suggest that YOU start your journey back to health and fitness sooner than later.
Until next week, stay safe, stay healthy and be aware.
South African Depression and Anxiety Group.
011 234 4837
LifeLine Connect number.
011 728 1347
