Walking. Not. And Ranting.

~ Live & Learn

Where does one start?

Let’s start with 327 consecutive days. Like in a row. Formerly described as the morning walk @ daybreak to Cove Island Park.

It’s time to inject some integrity into this getting-long-in-the-tooth story. This morning walk has degenerated into a morning drive to the Park. There I am this morning, sitting in the car in front of the gate at the park, heater blowing, warming my feet — I can’t, I just can’t open the door and get out. So, rather than getting out, I leave and drive to the next site on DK’s Marvelous Adventure in search of the sunrise from a location where I can roll down the window and not get my sorry a** out of the car. Wow, DK. You’re so awesome.

Or we can commiserate over the free fall in weight gain, or better stated, the pile up of 8 lbs in 30 days. Root cause? If one would take inventory of the snacking between calls and meetings, you would say: “It’s just not possible.” And I’m here to tell you, if you put your mind to it, an addict can accomplish anything.

We’ve pivoted to Welch’s Mixed Fruit Snacks. The Honeycrisp apples sit on the wicker tray on the island in the kitchen. The plump, juicy, seedless red grapes rest in the bowl in the fridge. Next to the grapes, fresh cut cantaloupe in the tupperware dish. And the horse with its blinders can’t see any of it. With the heartbeat elevated, a few feet away from The Fix, a giant Costco size box of Fruit Snacks. I grab two handfuls and run back to my office to jump on another call. My hands trembling, saliva building up in anticipation… I rip open the package and drain its contents. Pause for a second. And then bite down to let the saliva-sugar-corn syrup puree coat my tongue, throat and then slide down to the tummy. Oh, the few seconds of relief…with the sugar fix in, the momentary silence… all intoxicating. I get after another package. And repeat. And repeat. And repeat. You see where this is going.

Or we can chat about yesterday’s bi-annual physical with my G.P.

Blood pressure…awesome.

Blood work…benign.

“How the IBS?”

“Under control.”

“Really? How?”

“I think it’s Welch’s Mixed Fruit Snacks.”

“What?”

“Never mind.”

“You’re doing great Dave!”

“Not really.”

“Not really?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“I can’t bend over.”

“How long?”

“One month.”

“Did you fall?”

“No. No idea how it happened.”

Chronic High Hamstring Tendinopathy…”the pain usually comes on gradually and may be aggravated by repetitive activities, such as running or biking, and worsened by prolonged sitting.” So, if you aren’t running or biking, that leaves prolonged sitting.

“That’s about right.”

“Lay back.”

I lay back. He has me push and pull. He pokes and prods.

“Feel that? Feel this? Does this hurt?”

“No. No. No. No.”

“No?”

“Just when I bend over.”

He starts to laugh.

“What’s so funny?”

“Dave, I have patients with serious problems to get to.” (My G.P. is an Oncologist, in his 80’s. Long story for another day)

“But I can’t bend over. Doc, this is serious sh*t.”

“Take a few Advil and check back with me in a month.”

He’s still laughing as he walks out the door, leaving me to get dressed.

I pay for this abuse.

71 thoughts on “Walking. Not. And Ranting.”

  2. Your sunrise photos are stunning, David and you create a ripple effect when you share them. It is okay to mix up your routine. The weight/eating thing is complicated and individual. I LOVE your doctor!

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    1. Thank you Erica. And my Doc is amazing. A year ago he asked: “Who’s you GP?”. I told him I didn’t have one. He asked: “When’s last time you had physical?” Told him I haven’t had one. I said “I have you”. He started to laugh.

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  5. Oh my – Val’s comment has set me off to laughing uncontrollably! Public shaming indeed!

    Oh well. Perhaps it’s the 8 lbs getting in the way?

    Don’t worry. it’s all just another sign btw that you need a dog. A dog doesn’t care if the wind is howling. He makes you get out there anywhere — which helps with the 8 lbs. Non? 🙂

    and btw — if you want to chuckle — come watch my 40 sec video on my blog today — you’ll appreciate how amazing your photography skills are when you see my lack of… 🙂

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  6. Well, do some stretching before driving somewhere! Honestly, I’m more worried that you find gummies-consumption to be shameful. As far as weight-gain, you’re a little under — everyone else has gained 10. (You’re welcome!)

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  7. had me laughing as you described your snacking. it hit way too close to home. and I am here to add more proof that yes, 8 or 9 pounds in 30 days is quite possible.

    and if it hurts to bend over, then you know what they say – stop bending over…

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  8. Dude. 327 days in a row is amazing. Walking, driving (well… anyway). You are up and out there. Taking fabulous photos. Taking the time to just be.
    And maybe, just maybe, you DON’T buy the big-ass bag from Costco?

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        1. “Okay!” said Dorothy out loud, stressing the exclamation. She retrieved the toolbox from under the kitchen sink and located nails and hammer. A change would do her good. She hung the mirror on the wall, horizontal-wise. She stepped back and noted with satisfaction that she could no longer see below her neck.

          — Christine Smallwood, The LIfe of the Mind (Hogarth, March 2, 2021) 

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  15. First welch’s fruit snacks are delicious and most importantly they are a good source of nutrition and they contain a very small amount of sugar which is very good. Also for all viewers viewing my comment please check out my website. Dachi is a growing website that talks about learning new things and how to stay focused, via using the state of flow. Dachi is new to wordpress and is growing by the minute so very soon we will have our own domain name. When My website (Dachi) Gets it’s domain name we will be giving out offers and premium content. Our website is great for students attending high school and college.
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  19. You sound as covided/cold/in pain/done/done/done as I am! Though – I switched to popcorn as a snack a few months ago and have lost 6 pounds. Regular popcorn with only a teaspoon of oil is filling and quite healthy.

    At my physical this week the Dr. said my blood pressure was remarkably good. When I told him I was exercising every other day instead of every day, he said good. Increase the weights and walking duration and give myself the extra day between workouts.

    So things are looking up – hope you find your groove too.

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    1. No offense to anybody on this website but is it just me or is everyone that uses wordpress in their 40-50s
      I’m literally 16 with a website and I am awaiting to succeed. All though I do Like to do Python coding, Coding in the 10th grade is very unlikely but i choose to be successful and become something greater. I am currently taking ROTC and woo oh boy is it a good class but i feel if as i would stop learning that i would be nobody. But back to the point i will be surprised if their is someone in my age group that has their own website or uses wordpress. Don’t you kind of think that it is unlikely for a 16 year old such as my self, to have a website, it’s kind of funny just thinking about it

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    2. Good for you Margy. In fact, after inhaling 9 baggies of Welch’s Mixed Fruit Gummies yesterday, I dove into Paul Newman’s Buttered popcorn, jacked up with another tablespoon of butter and a handful of parmesan cheese. Delicious. But certainly over the top. I need to get on your program. Fast.

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  23. You are a witness to beauty!!! So what if you aren’t up to walking (sorry that you physically hurt) and drive to destination…you’ve been committed to greeting each day with a fresh breath of inhale along the water, enhancing your focus, memories, banking serenity to withdrawal when stress starts to pile up and to Share with us, bringing each of us much Joy!!! Your gift of Writing & Beauty of Photography is so appreciated!!! It would be cool for all of us to see & hear the movement of the water and hear the birds signing…every thought of taking alone a go pro? /// Our daughter and her young man took off for the beach earlier today (long after the frost disapperaed0 to return tomorrow…gorgeous here today…rain returns tomorrow…We haven’t been to the beach for at least two year darn! Youngest sisters is celebrating her birthday breakfast at the beach Monday morning! So your wonderful photos help to bridge the gap for my longing to be Ocean side…/// I went to the Oncologist about a week and a half ago, a reminder of the Gift of Life…Continue to Celebrate the ability of Movement, to See… and to Feed your Soul…”Each Breath Is a Gift”…

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  24. I’m late to the string of comments, so I’ll each what everyone else is saying about your photos (the best), your dr (kudos to him) and your humanity (though I always assumed you were). They say that there is the Covid 20 – analogous to the Freshman 15. If that’s the case, you’re way ahead of the game. Feel better…

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  25. Consistency is great…when possible. I know you much less than others here but you seem a very driven person, which brings plenty of rewards but can also be quite punishing.

    The past year has been horrific in many ways so I think we all need to cut ourselves some slack.

    I was 3-4x every week since July at the gym and swimming — now my Y has closed for good (joined a new gym with a pool too busy to ever get a spot) — and fell on the road, hard, 3 weeks ago, spraining my wrist and knee. Haven’t done anything since but allow myself to heal.

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