Looking after oneself
Discussion
I recently have had a bit of a health scare. Thread here . Short of it is I have possibly got acanthamoeba keratitis which is a hard to treat infection of the cornea which can cause blindness.
Obviously my aim at the minute is to get that sorted but this has triggered a bit of a worry about myself and my future health. When I was in my teens and twenties I didn't look after myself (drank loads, late nights, never went to Dr/Dentist/Eye check etc) and never suffered any consequences. I now realise that as I get older (mid thirties) I need to properly look after myself to ensure I have as healthy as possible life.
I know I might just get cancer anyway or be hit by a bus but I still think I should do more. I've done a little reading and assessed my current "state":
Diet - Bit hit and miss, some days I get 10 portions of fruit and veg, other days 1 or 2. Very partial to sugary treats and tend to go mad when I do have them. Need consistency here and less crap.
Weight - need to shift a stone or two probably. Don't look fat but at 6'5'' its hard to notice.
Alcohol - Gave up a year ago. Used to drink a lot before that
Smoking - Never smoked
Sleep - Often getting around 6 hours. Need to make an effort to get 7-8 I think.
Exercise - Been very active in last few years but I think I need to balance my fitness a bit. Been swimming loads (perversely that's probably how I contracted acanthamoeba) but whats the point of being able to swim 10Km if I can't run up the stairs without being out of breath. Going to mix up my training and do more weights as well and flexibility work.
Stress - got a big mortgage, two kids so a bit of stress. Job can be a little bit stressful at times but not so bad. Need some strategies for unwinding as I do tend to bottle up and then explode at times.
Anyone got any suggestions for other things I should be doing? Worth getting a full Bupa MOT done?
Obviously my aim at the minute is to get that sorted but this has triggered a bit of a worry about myself and my future health. When I was in my teens and twenties I didn't look after myself (drank loads, late nights, never went to Dr/Dentist/Eye check etc) and never suffered any consequences. I now realise that as I get older (mid thirties) I need to properly look after myself to ensure I have as healthy as possible life.
I know I might just get cancer anyway or be hit by a bus but I still think I should do more. I've done a little reading and assessed my current "state":
Diet - Bit hit and miss, some days I get 10 portions of fruit and veg, other days 1 or 2. Very partial to sugary treats and tend to go mad when I do have them. Need consistency here and less crap.
Weight - need to shift a stone or two probably. Don't look fat but at 6'5'' its hard to notice.
Alcohol - Gave up a year ago. Used to drink a lot before that
Smoking - Never smoked
Sleep - Often getting around 6 hours. Need to make an effort to get 7-8 I think.
Exercise - Been very active in last few years but I think I need to balance my fitness a bit. Been swimming loads (perversely that's probably how I contracted acanthamoeba) but whats the point of being able to swim 10Km if I can't run up the stairs without being out of breath. Going to mix up my training and do more weights as well and flexibility work.
Stress - got a big mortgage, two kids so a bit of stress. Job can be a little bit stressful at times but not so bad. Need some strategies for unwinding as I do tend to bottle up and then explode at times.
Anyone got any suggestions for other things I should be doing? Worth getting a full Bupa MOT done?
Maybe combine the stress relief and exercise into one hobby you enjoy. Something like indoor climbing, martial arts etc. that has a large mental focus part as well as the physical side. Know problems at work or home are the last thing on my mind when I'm hanging off something with a few fingers knowing it will hurt if I get it wrong 
Diet: enjoy the norty foods. Add it as part of your daily thing but don't go overboard. My weakness is crisps, so I have a six pack in the house. Used to have 24 packs and would go degen on them. When it's out, I'll eat something else. Am impressed that you can get in 10 portions of fruit/veg!
I highly recommend tai chi. It has the right mix of de-stressing with challenging movements - if you feel it's easy, ask your teacher what you're doing wrong.
Agree with the active hobby thing. Do something you enjoy, it becomes your entertainment instead of sitting on the couch staring at your ipad or TV.
Things I do: calisthenics/gymnastics, weight lifting, tennis, tai chi, dodgeball, squash. You don't have to do those particular things but something the involves strength work, something that involves cardio and dynamicism (so not running or cycling as that's in a single plane unless you dodge in and out of cars or do bunny hops and so on BMX style), and something that teaches you to relax.
I highly recommend tai chi. It has the right mix of de-stressing with challenging movements - if you feel it's easy, ask your teacher what you're doing wrong.
Crusoe said:
Maybe combine the stress relief and exercise into one hobby you enjoy. Something like indoor climbing, martial arts etc. that has a large mental focus part as well as the physical side. Know problems at work or home are the last thing on my mind when I'm hanging off something with a few fingers knowing it will hurt if I get it wrong
Agree with the active hobby thing. Do something you enjoy, it becomes your entertainment instead of sitting on the couch staring at your ipad or TV.
Things I do: calisthenics/gymnastics, weight lifting, tennis, tai chi, dodgeball, squash. You don't have to do those particular things but something the involves strength work, something that involves cardio and dynamicism (so not running or cycling as that's in a single plane unless you dodge in and out of cars or do bunny hops and so on BMX style), and something that teaches you to relax.
Edited by Hoofy on Thursday 10th September 17:04
Funnily enough I did really enjoy swimming. The problem with is was I managed to suck all the fun out of myself by turning it into a massively competitive pursuit. I was able crap at sports but it turned out I was quite good a swimming.
I started having coaching, waking at 5 to get to the pool for 90 mins before etc. Was training like a mad man when it was supposed to be about getting fit and having fun.
When I do go back to swimming (which could be months or even years with this infection) I will be more sensible.
Might have a look at tai chi. Tried some yoga and that hurt. I enjoy lifting weights. Cycling I like when I am out there but the faf of getting the bike ready annoys me. Running I just get injured.
10 portions a day - I swapped my lunch sandwich for a massive salad. Have mixed leaves (Rocket/Watercress/Spinach), sundried and fresh tomatoes, beetroot, avacado. Often have a mushroom and spinach omlette for breakfast, snack I'll have raw carrots/celery/peppers with hoummus then a couple of portions of fruit in the afternoon. Two or three veggies with tea.
I started having coaching, waking at 5 to get to the pool for 90 mins before etc. Was training like a mad man when it was supposed to be about getting fit and having fun.
When I do go back to swimming (which could be months or even years with this infection) I will be more sensible.
Might have a look at tai chi. Tried some yoga and that hurt. I enjoy lifting weights. Cycling I like when I am out there but the faf of getting the bike ready annoys me. Running I just get injured.
10 portions a day - I swapped my lunch sandwich for a massive salad. Have mixed leaves (Rocket/Watercress/Spinach), sundried and fresh tomatoes, beetroot, avacado. Often have a mushroom and spinach omlette for breakfast, snack I'll have raw carrots/celery/peppers with hoummus then a couple of portions of fruit in the afternoon. Two or three veggies with tea.
944fan said:
Exercise - Been swimming loads (perversely that's probably how I contracted acanthamoeba) but whats the point of being able to swim 10Km if I can't run up the stairs without being out of breath.
this part seems a bit strange to me as swimming is a fantastic exercise. how do use the pool? are you going for distance alone and getting "comfortable" in your exercise?
if so I'd say optimise your swim time for intensity instead.
sprint a few lengths, relax for one length, sprint, relax etc.
Pony said:
this part seems a bit strange to me as swimming is a fantastic exercise.
how do use the pool? are you going for distance alone and getting "comfortable" in your exercise?
if so I'd say optimise your swim time for intensity instead.
sprint a few lengths, relax for one length, sprint, relax etc.
I was following a plan created for me by a swim coach. I got very fit through swimming. but swim fitness is very specific. Swimming also masks the fact that I was bit overweight.how do use the pool? are you going for distance alone and getting "comfortable" in your exercise?
if so I'd say optimise your swim time for intensity instead.
sprint a few lengths, relax for one length, sprint, relax etc.
In most sports you are fighting gravity and so being overweight impacts on them , particularly in terms of speed. In swimming, unless you are elite, or very very fat it wont make much difference.
So although my swimming fitness was very good I still got out of breath running up the stairs. Which is why I want to mix things up a bit.
OP I'm sure you've posted a few threads on similar, you come across a bit paranoid, just chill and enjoy life
You seem on the right track and better/healthier than most
The getting out of breath on stairs , isn't really an indicator of anything, more of an indicator is how you get your breath back and recover. I'd say I was pretty fit and whenever I visit hospital or hotels I use the stairs, after 2/4 or so floors I'm quite out of breath/breathing heavy , its just my body and lungs getting ready for exercise and suddenly going from nothing to exercise , like opening up a decent car engine. Within 30 seconds of the last step im back to normal, no exaggerated breathing .
6 hours sleep isn't a lot, everyone is different , although if you factor in exercise recovery I'd aim for more
You seem on the right track and better/healthier than most
The getting out of breath on stairs , isn't really an indicator of anything, more of an indicator is how you get your breath back and recover. I'd say I was pretty fit and whenever I visit hospital or hotels I use the stairs, after 2/4 or so floors I'm quite out of breath/breathing heavy , its just my body and lungs getting ready for exercise and suddenly going from nothing to exercise , like opening up a decent car engine. Within 30 seconds of the last step im back to normal, no exaggerated breathing .
6 hours sleep isn't a lot, everyone is different , although if you factor in exercise recovery I'd aim for more
TwistingMyMelon said:
OP I'm sure you've posted a few threads on similar, you come across a bit paranoid, just chill and enjoy life
I think you might be right. Always been a bit of a worrier. Although the other thread you are referring too I was merely commenting that it seemed the vast majority of people don't clean anything (especially themselves). I was made out in the at thread to be an obsessive who thought there were bugs everywhere. I live in a house with 2 kids, 1 dog, 2 guinea pugs. It's broadly a s
thole. Not scrubbed with bleach every minute.Anyway my thinking was that if I do have acanthamoeba in my eye. There is a very good chance I have got it because I was stupid with my contact lenses.
The point of the thread was to take a look at my lifestyle and make sure I was giving myself the best possible chance.
I'm not wringing my hands with worry that I am going to get ill.
944fan said:
I was following a plan created for me by a swim coach. I got very fit through swimming. but swim fitness is very specific. Swimming also masks the fact that I was bit overweight.
In most sports you are fighting gravity and so being overweight impacts on them , particularly in terms of speed. In swimming, unless you are elite, or very very fat it wont make much difference.
So although my swimming fitness was very good I still got out of breath running up the stairs. Which is why I want to mix things up a bit.
I understand that, but I'm talking about taking the HIIT approach to exercise so you get used to sprintingIn most sports you are fighting gravity and so being overweight impacts on them , particularly in terms of speed. In swimming, unless you are elite, or very very fat it wont make much difference.
So although my swimming fitness was very good I still got out of breath running up the stairs. Which is why I want to mix things up a bit.
your endurance of long distances might be good, but if you're not training your sprint endurance then a short burst of exercise will leave you out of breath
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