My Journey to Wellness
John Veitch
I’ve been challenged to take a new interest in health, since December 2012. Now, at 80+, I was at least as healthy as I had been 20 years earlier, perhaps as healthy as I’d ever been in my adult life. The secret of that, was just in becoming more mindful about my own health. That is what I suggest that you do. Proceed quietly but deliberately making an effort to learn more, and to keep better written records of your progress. Take an interest in your own health; you can’t expect anyone else to do that for you.
Lest I give the impression of perfect health, that’s not the case. I’ve had varicose veins since the age of 30, operated on three times before the age of 50. Still potentially a problem. I weighted 72kg when running marathons at age 56, at age 68 I weighed 95kg and was both unwell and unfit, before discovering Banting. For the last several years my weight has been 73kg to 74kg. I have marginally high blood pressure. I’ve been told that taking a statin might be helpful.
Men’s Problems – Prostate
I developed an enlarged prostate, and needed to use a catheter to urinate for a few months until I had a surgical operation. (Very successful.) I have a problematic right knee, better now than 20 years ago when I stopped distance running. I’d like to keep dancing, so I’m trying to protect it a little. The other issue I’ve had is hives; which I once ascribed to something I was eating, but which I now believe is the result of anxiety. I’m not the sort of person who likes to admit to anxiety, but this web site, the inadequacies of it, concerns me. When I work on this web site the itchy skin goes away. I’m not currently using any medications (2021), although I do get vaccinated, and I have used medications for short time periods in the past.
Heart Attack (Angina) in July, 2022
This is very recent; all the details are yet to be discovered. But three of my arteries have “significant blockage” – a surprise to me. That didn’t happen recently, it’s been a loaded gun for a long time, back when I was too heavy (12 or 15 years ago). In June 2022, I got Covid, and my theory is that Covid was the trigger that fired the gun. Can’t be sure about that, but it’s a reasonable idea. Can’t be sure of the future either, but I’m confident enough that the good work I’ve done in the last 10 years will be helpful. I am now taking heart medication.
I was told that three of my arteries were severely blocked, and that I was a good candidate for a triple bypass in the future. Stents were ruled out. I also learnt that many people who had run long distances in the past develop calcified arteries. Given a heads-up, I’ve done more to improve my cardio-vascular fitness since.
The Power of Your Own Research – Keep a Journal
The time it takes you to do your own research, is time you must invest. There is no other way forward, the problem is “inside the fortress.” Get started, go as fast as you can. In “Triumphs of Experience” (2014) the author George E Vaillant, explains that the few people who die before age 55, usually die because of things they have no control over. Almost all of those who die between 55 and 80 suffer ill health for many years, and often die, because of lifestyle choices over which they have significant control.” You don’t want to be in this group. You need not be.
Find other people who are fellow health searchers to talk to. Some of them will have good ideas that make sense to you. Through journaling, I uncovered insights about my habits, fears, and desires. I often puzzled over what held me back, and that clarity was enlightening. Those pages, filled with thoughts and emotions, became one of my guides toward better health.
Guidance and Support
I joined some online groups, a few years back. I was sure that groups could help me develop better knowledge. Sadly, that knowledge is usually very shallow, and the groups keep repeating the same themes over and over. Progress is possible but it’s slow and only a few people have any real knowledge. Dr Google is sometimes useful, especially for definitions of terms. Not so much if you need to solve a health problem.
This is where Health Coaching fits in. I wish I had access to something like that earlier. I know I like to be my own master, but sometimes it’s quicker and more sensible to ask for help.
Embracing a New Future
Now, at 82, I’m currently using a phone app called “Fitify” three times a week for a 40 minute, strength building exercise routine. For a couple of years, I have attended a gym. That works well too. My wife and I go dancing (ballroom) for about five hours a week, in two sessions. We are in a walking group, 6km to 10km once a week. Hill walking is not a problem. We try to cycle one long ride a week, about 30km, sometimes further.
I try to run short distances, sprinting as best I can. I’m using the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test, by M. Buchheit, using his app on my phone. I’ve painted an 80 metre straight line course on the footpath close to home. I use it 3 or 4 times a week. Running that 80 metres 4 to 8 times. I’d like to do a 5km park run, I can, but it knocks my knee about, so I’m working in the gym to strengthen that knee. Regular parkruns are an objective for the future.
Although my current health is excellent, and the last 12 years have taught me a lot, but I don’t know what I don’t know. Hence my strong interest in training as a Health Coach. That should allow me to fill in any big gaps in my knowledge. It’s also IMPORTANT to have WORK to do, something worthy of your time and effort to do with your life. Health Coaching can do that for me.
If this has been of interest to you might like to write to me about yourself .
