#scottsfab50. A 50 day exercise in thankfulness. Day 21. Today, I am thankful for overall good health. Growing up a severe asthmatic, I quickly learned not to take it for granted. How severe? I almost died at age 2. Apparently, I turned blue, and the doctors told Mom Despins that if I had arrived at the hospital 15 minutes later, I wouldnt have made it. I spent many a night as a boy unable to lie down because my airways would close, but too exhausted to sit up. It was hell. So, I truly appreciate the health I have today. Im 50. Im still wearing clothes I had in high school. Im on no medication. I have a slightly nervous stomach at times, and were keeping an eye on a family history of blood pressure, but thats about it. I cycle, walk, do some light lifting, and am able to maintain the yards of two houses. I look around at some of the folks in, for example, the grocery store, my age or younger, and theyre already falling apart. A quick look in their grocery cart usually provides a few answers. Yes, Ive been gifted with a tall frame and broad shoulders. But I watch what I eat, keep the portions sane, stay active, gave up soda (dont miss it, still have the occasional high end cream soda or root beer), and try to get enough sleep. I also see a chiropractor regularly. This started back when I was 11. I was having a horrible asthma attack on the weekend. The town doctor was closed. In desperation, my mom gave in and took me to the chiropractor in town who had been begging her to bring me in. I was carried in, barely able to breathe. I walked out, and was major attack free for 30+ years, until I spent 3 hours unloading pumpkins in a trailer full of hay. Ive also watched a chiropractor break a childs fever, and make my wifes migraines almost nonexistent. Im the first to admit theres a lot of chiros out there who wayyyyy oversell it, and a bad chiro is worse than none at all. But Ive seen the benefits. Its not a cure all, not a replacement for traditional medicine. Its a piece of the puzzle. In the past few months, Ive cleaned up my eating. Fresher foods, less processing, watch the sugar and the highly processed carbs, etc. I dropped about 5 or 6 pounds of fat around my midsection and hips that was there for decades. I do think the current dietary wisdom is correct. Fat is not our enemy. Processing is. The fewer ingredients, the better, and sugar is way out of control in the American diet. I dont deprive myself ( I was chewing on a fun-sized Snickers bar as I started this), but I pay attention. Energy levels up, I sleep better. I feel better. Do I have aches and pains? Yeah. I have an arthritic foot that acts up. I have a cyst on the back of my knee that sits on a nerve. Hit the cyst, win a prize as Scott collapses to the ground! But these are minor inconveniences. In June of 2012, Tamar, Amanda and I did 18 days in Europe. We walked miles a day. Kept up a pretty quick pace. And it felt GREAT. Even though a torn ACL from years ago has taken me away from running, I was able to join Amanda on morning runs along the Rhine in Koln and the Liffey in Dublin. We walked up the entirety of the Koln Cathedral. And it all felt wonderful. Some might have called it far too active, but to us it was a glorious vacation. To know I can physically do what is needed. To not have to swallow a raft of pills every morning. To view a 7-mile bike ride as just quick little run. To treat a 4 mile hike as a nice diversion. These are all blessings. I have great examples. My grandmothers stayed active until the end. Mom walks, does yard work, and still works a full time job! My stepdad Phil maintains a highly disciplined workout routine. I challenge men and women half their age to keep up with Dad Piehler and Edna. I have my health. Ive lived without it, and like a starving man who is seated at a banquet, each bite is sweet and succulent. For this, I say Thank you.
Posted on: Wed, 02 Jul 2014 23:06:02 +0000
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