Monday, July 21, 2008
Sad times around here lately.
One of Chris's really good friends had a stroke last week. This was especially scary news considering the father of another of Chris's good friends just died of a stroke a month or so ago.
We've had a few updates but, as we're only a few days out, I don't really know if anyone can figure out how well they'll recover.
He's flying to go see his friend this weekend. He kicked himself all day Sunday for not having gone this past weekend, but as of Friday we didn't know if it would be a good idea. You know, if guests would be allowed and all that.
The situation has made Chris get on my case a little bit about the exercise. See, I have high blood pressure. I have to take medication for it. The smallest dose they make of the medicine, but medicine nonetheless. As we all know, high blood pressure can cause lots of problems, including strokes.
The doctor assured me that it was not due to anything I was or was not doing; some people just have high blood pressure and have to go on medicine, he said. When I asked if I could possibly go off the medicine if I exercised more or ate better, he said no, probably not.
But this won't stop my closest doctor from enthusiastically recommending I exercise more. Even if the high blood pressure is genetic, Chris reminds me, exercise will do nothing but help it. Maybe make it go lower, but at the least help it to not go higher as I age. As it is, I usually only get a good cardio workout, like, once each week. I have good weeks, like when I am trying to start exercising as I should, but that's the norm. And that's not enough.
And I know he's right. He may be a pain in the ass, but he's right. And the fact he's so concerned makes me feel both loved and worried. "You don't want me raising kids by myself, do you?" he asks. No. Way to play both guilt and face-your-own-mortality in one hand, Chris.
So again, yet again, I make a deal with myself. Start exercising at least a few days a week. Keep it up for a few months, as I know very well that habits take anywhere between 3 weeks and 3 months to really stick. Let's see how I do.
Yesterday Sebastian and I went on a brisk, one-hour walk. This was in lieu of a run, which I did not want to do in the 94-degree heat. Tomorrow, however, I run. I have promised. ¶ 12:53 AM
We've had a few updates but, as we're only a few days out, I don't really know if anyone can figure out how well they'll recover.
He's flying to go see his friend this weekend. He kicked himself all day Sunday for not having gone this past weekend, but as of Friday we didn't know if it would be a good idea. You know, if guests would be allowed and all that.
The situation has made Chris get on my case a little bit about the exercise. See, I have high blood pressure. I have to take medication for it. The smallest dose they make of the medicine, but medicine nonetheless. As we all know, high blood pressure can cause lots of problems, including strokes.
The doctor assured me that it was not due to anything I was or was not doing; some people just have high blood pressure and have to go on medicine, he said. When I asked if I could possibly go off the medicine if I exercised more or ate better, he said no, probably not.
But this won't stop my closest doctor from enthusiastically recommending I exercise more. Even if the high blood pressure is genetic, Chris reminds me, exercise will do nothing but help it. Maybe make it go lower, but at the least help it to not go higher as I age. As it is, I usually only get a good cardio workout, like, once each week. I have good weeks, like when I am trying to start exercising as I should, but that's the norm. And that's not enough.
And I know he's right. He may be a pain in the ass, but he's right. And the fact he's so concerned makes me feel both loved and worried. "You don't want me raising kids by myself, do you?" he asks. No. Way to play both guilt and face-your-own-mortality in one hand, Chris.
So again, yet again, I make a deal with myself. Start exercising at least a few days a week. Keep it up for a few months, as I know very well that habits take anywhere between 3 weeks and 3 months to really stick. Let's see how I do.
Yesterday Sebastian and I went on a brisk, one-hour walk. This was in lieu of a run, which I did not want to do in the 94-degree heat. Tomorrow, however, I run. I have promised. ¶ 12:53 AM
