Project Shapety Shape

[ted]

Sorry to hear about that, my minor issues are nothing compared to what you describe and were never painful enough to need ibuprofen.

[j_tour]

Sorry to hear about that, my minor issues are nothing compared to what you describe and were never painful enough to need ibuprofen.

Well, thanks, but much to my surprise, over about sixteenth months of PostTib tendonitis, then breaking my ankle (or whatever, hairline fracture or a strain or sprain — never had an X-ray done, just didn't see the need), then Plantar Fasciitis, it's fine now.  Stronger, faster, better.  : )

Even 3x quod diem 800 mg boluses of iubuprofen doesn't exceed the maximum amount recommended in the OTC stuff.

More just an inconvenience, for me, it was.

But I will say, I've invested in a few pairs of steel-toed low-cut shoes.  Swap out the insoles with one my favorite insoles, and they're actually pretty good for just walking around town (I work in a warehouse/distirbution/logistics for a day job, which involves a lot of walking on concrete and occasionally unloading or loading trailers).  Not light-weight shoes, but the sturdiness is a bit of a boon:  there's no worries if a pallet jack full of freight runs over your foot (although that's not supposed to happen!).  I think mine are both Timberland Pro of the same model, but I don't recall the exact model.  Not very comfortable, not like my Merrill trail-runners or similar.

However, the challenge is putting a shoe on over all the tape or an ankle-foot "boot" and assorted bits of velcro devices.

But, you get to pretend you're a gangster or an American Football player who just got shot or a concussion or whatever while you're limping around.

And, yet, at home I still stub my toes (all the time) and sometimes get pretty close to losing one or several of my toenails, thanks to my habit of being barefoot at home.

No, no, it seems to me that you have the worst of it.  My recent maladies were comparatively minor.

Hey, at least I didn't break a hip, old-timer

No, but the plantar fasciitis didn't respond to any of the NSAIDs (ibuprofen, occasionally large-ish doses of aspirin), just debilitating pain, particularly upon first getting out bed in the morning.

But it does sound like you're still living with some of these problems, so all I can do is offer sympathy and do what your doctor or physical therapists recommend.

The other thing that's probably obvious, but I'll steal a phrase from one of Ray Jardine's books (arguably the founder of "ultra-lightweight backpacking," and a big denigrator of bulky "boot-like" sneaker/tennis shoes especially when hiking:  hydration.  I think he said something like "Don't be a sipper, be a gulper!" when it comes to water on the trail.

That sounds like elementary advice, and likely you already hydrate frequently and often, but many people I know IRL just plain don't drink water at all.  I find it makes a difference.  No, I don't necessarily mean sports drinks or whatever.  Just loads and load of water.  I suppose if you're concerned about overhydrating, you can take a salt pill like they used to include in military/backpacking pre-fab first-aid kits. 

At least you didn't break your hands:  then we wouldn't have more of your improvisations to look forward to.

[timothy42b]

I don't claim any knowledge of either problem. 

A couple years ago I read a book called Barefoot Running which believed the trend to orthotics and overly arched and cushioned running shoes was the wrong way to go.  It made a lot of sense, and for a couple summers I spent some time on the soccer fields jogging barefoot, but I can no longer run.  Back in the late 70s I broke an ankle parachuting, and just as they warned eventually arthritis developed.  I am able to walk but running is no longer possible.  That kind of alters my self perception; I don't like not being a runner after almost 50 years of it.  But I play disc golf now.

I too get nocturnal calf cramps and really don't know what to do about them.  They're infrequent, but fear alone will keep me from sleeping after one of them. 

[thalbergmad]

Strange that i saw this just before i was about to write a short article on my fitness page.

My night time calf cramps were completely eliminated by taking a supplement called ZMA before bed.

ZMA's contain Zinc, Magnesium and vitamin B6. Deficiencies in all 3 are rather common due to bad diets and if you are particularly active, it is difficult to maintain levels from food alone.

As well as helping to build muscle and raise testosterone levels, they have been shown to increase muscle and nerve function and to assist with sleep. Strangely, many men have reported having rather pleasant dreams and i have to admit that i do get rather a few and sometimes it is a disappiontment to wake up and find Pamela Anderson is not next to me.

Even if they do not work, they are perfectly safe to take.

Thal

[ted]

Thanks j_tour, Timothy and Thal, some interesting ideas there.  I shall continue without orthotics unless reactions develop, and I might try the ZMA, although one or two cramps a year might not justify the bother of taking supplements, something I have never done. Cramps on the tennis court were very common in my competitive days, with many a good player suddenly collapsing on the ground in squirming helplessness. In those days we used to feed them salt, which certainly stopped cramp but is now considered an inadvisable course of action.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I don’t usually post in here but now I have some weight loss goals so I thought why not.  I’m a boxer and I’m fighting in March (likely to be postponed till June) so I thought I’d post my progress.

Right now I way between like 155-158 pounds and I gotta drop to 152 to make the weight.  I’m 6 feet tall so ima be fighting a bunch of dudes that are like 5,8 so I’ll have a reach advantage.  Losing the weight is easy but I still wanna maintain my power.

As far as my routine goes it’s no weightlifting.  I do a weird 5k early in the morning or sprints, then I go back to bed and wake up a couple hours later.  At night I’ll go to the gym and every other day I spar (or I’m supposed to).  Then when I get home I do my pushups pull-ups and sit-ups.  I shadowbox with 2 or 3 pound weights every day.  I take Saturdays and maybe Sunday’s off.  As far as diet is concerned all I eat is rice, beans, veggies, fruit, and water. 

I might post some pics or videos of me doing my pull-ups or something.  Or maybe some sparring if I’m not getting beat up lol

[timothy42b]

I was doing pullups regularly and got out of the habit.

I now regret it because I think it may have been helping with impingement syndrome in my right shoulder.  Now I have that in the left shoulder and it's very painful.  But I can't do pullups because I can't get my left arm overhead. 

I'm doing kettelbell swings instead.  I don't have a kettlebell but I made that tee-bar thing and it works fine.

[thalbergmad]

As far as my routine goes it’s no weightlifting.  I do a weird 5k early in the morning or sprints, then I go back to bed and wake up a couple hours later.  At night I’ll go to the gym and every other day I spar (or I’m supposed to).  Then when I get home I do my pushups pull-ups and sit-ups.  I shadowbox with 2 or 3 pound weights every day.  I take Saturdays and maybe Sunday’s off.  As far as diet is concerned all I eat is rice, beans, veggies, fruit, and water. 

I might post some pics or videos of me doing my pull-ups or something.  Or maybe some sparring if I’m not getting beat up lol

I fail to see how you will retain your power as your diet appears to be protein deficient.

Thal

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I fail to see how you will retain your power as your diet appears to be protein deficient.

Thal

Protein comes from plants

I’ve been vegetarian for two years and vegan For about a year now.  I guess I also eat like seeds and tofu too

[thalbergmad]

Protein comes from plants

Complete protein comes from eggs.

I admire your stance but can't help thinking you are making things a little harder.

I assume you supplement with B12

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Complete protein comes from eggs.

I admire your stance but can't help thinking you are making things a little harder.

I assume you supplement with B12

The protein from that egg comes from plants.  Plants are the only thing on the planet that take nitrogen out of the air and turn them into amino acids.  You can still get complete from like chia seeds soy and quinoa but if not that’s why you’re not supposed to have a variety of plant protein.  Besides don’t biggest powerful animals on the planet only eat like grass and fruit.  The only one I can think of that’s an omnivore off top is a bear.  And maybe gorillas cause they might also eat bugs.

My b12 comes from almond/soy milk and tofu

And oh I’m not vegan for like health or humanitarian reasons or anything.  I just woke
up one day and dairy started weirding me out.  The only way I’d eat meat is if I killed the animal myself or I know the dude who did it

[thalbergmad]

Plants weird me out, not diary.

Many dieticians suggest supplementation of Iron, Zinc and calcium to correct the deficiencies of a vegan diet, but if you are happy you are covering all bases and you can reach your goals with this kind of diet, I think that's great.

I can't imagine life without eggs. The only food source that contains all amino acids with a good dose of fat and cholesterol.

Thal

[j_tour]

I'll only obliquely link to this youtube video of Billy Preston performing as a solo artist in the early 1980s a good song that was made great by his own contribution on one of the electric pianos.

The only reason I mention it is, you watch him trying to recreate his classic brief solo and crouching down at the knees.

About a week ago, I think I tore one of the meniscus bits in one knee doing the same thing, except for one of my regular CV-19 nasal-swap tests supervised by a nurse via a camera and audio link.  I'm too tall for her to see me, and instead of just sitting in the chair or readjusting the camera with my meticulously sanitized hands and nitrile gloves, I thought it would be good to do that classic kung-fu movie "training exercise" where one sits without having a chair, while doing stuff in the meantime.

No.

No.

People of a certain age?  Really.  No. 

It's a darn good way to inflame or tear the meniscus, even though one is at work doing activities required.

And, I know, you folks who are self-employed, you get it pretty often, but for those of us with straight jobs, it's a hassle dealing with the company suits and lawyers and all that.

So, don't do that.

[thalbergmad]

I damaged my meniscus trying to get out of my bike Cleats quickly to avoid getting run over.

They take a long time to heal.

[thalbergmad]

  [/youtube]

Weighing in at 224 pounds. From pianist to competitive arm wrestler in 4 years.

Age 57 with 18.5 inch arms.

Challenge me and you die lol

Thal

[anacrusis]

Mother of god... what made you change careers?

[ted]

As long as you enjoy bodybuilding and feel well why not ? I doubt I could do it, just not built that way. The modest amount of resistance work I do has little effect on finger flexion. Pity if you have to stop playing your music though. I think we can all agree that advancing age, within reason, ought not to stop physical activity. At seventy-four I have again increased my training, don’t see why not.

[visitor]

Mother of god... what made you change careers?

with guns like that it is obvious nature chose for him

Well done old Chap, go  tear some phone books in half

Merry Christmas

Visitor

[thalbergmad]

Mother of god... what made you change careers?

Not a career, just hobbies.

I still play piano and my arm wrestling rarely causes me to stop.

Both disciplines require supination and pronation. They have much in common.

Thal.

[thalbergmad]

As long as you enjoy bodybuilding and feel well why not ? I doubt I could do it, just not built that way. The modest amount of resistance work I do has little effect on finger flexion. Pity if you have to stop playing your music though. I think we can all agree that advancing age, within reason, ought not to stop physical activity. At seventy-four I have again increased my training, don’t see why not.

I still play regularly old chap.

Most of my strength has always been in my wrist and have yet to get injured through resistance training.

The tendonitis was pretty horrific until my body adapted.

Glad to hear you are still very active.

[thalbergmad]

with guns like that it is obvious nature chose for him

Well done old Chap, go  tear some phone books in half

Merry Christmas

Visitor

Packs of playing cards at the moment.

[thalbergmad]

 [/youtube]

Here I take on a strongman competitor. 20 years younger and 120 pounds heavier.

Almost beat him.

Thal

[ted]

I have increased my training recently, both aerobic and resistance, don't see why not. I measure my blood pressure after training each day and over the last week it has decreased considerably, sometimes down around 100/55 or lower. I have also noticed intermittent tachycardia and an increase in resting heart rate as reported by my Apple watch, sometimes to 65bpm. That is fast for me as I usually sit at around 47 - 52bpm. Does the heart rate increase to somehow compensate for reduced blood pressure I wonder ? The internet is a huge collection of pronouncements about these things, sometimes contradictory.  I was wondering if anyone here has actually experienced this phenomenon. If so do you think I should reduce my current vigorous activity of around 15 to 20 hours a week ? The doctor has more important things on his mind at the moment and I feel absolutely fine, any better and I'd be dangerous. All other parameters are stable.

[ted]

My resting heart rate has reverted to 47, as it mostly was for months before the episode of four days at 65-70. Either I was fighting an infection or too many compressions with the expander and the bullworker triggered some sort of nervous reaction. I guess this is a downside of all these otherwise wonderful monitoring devices, they tend to make us feel responsible to them and we worry at the slightest deviation. 

[thalbergmad]

Fighting off infection sounds right to me old chap. My resting heart rate is around 39 from years of cycling and my stupid doctor was worried. I am certainly not.
The only thing I monitor is my waist. Couldn't give a toss about my blood pressure, cholesterol or triglycerides.

Thal

[thalbergmad]

SORRY, DUPLICATE POST

[thalbergmad]

   [/youtube]

Old man power. Size don't mean a thing.

Thal

[ted]

Fighting off infection sounds right to me old chap. My resting heart rate is around 39 from years of cycling and my stupid doctor was worried. I am certainly not.
The only thing I monitor is my waist. Couldn't give a toss about my blood pressure, cholesterol or triglycerides.

Thal

It hasn’t recurred despite continued training so you are probably right. Our son’s family all had Covid at the time, perhaps it was that. I didn’t feel ill so I had no test. The only reason I keep an eye on these parameters is that several conditions occurred among my antecedents around my age. So far so good.

[ted]

As we age many of us experience chronic blepharitis in varying degrees. My optometrist gave me a marvellous tip concerning it which I want to share: in two words, baby shampoo. While under the daily shower, face away from the water, close the eyes and gently massage a small blob of baby shampoo along the junction of the eyelids. Let it remain there for at least a minute or two before turning to wash it off and opening the eyes. I have done this for four months and haven't had a trace of that horrible nocturnal foreign body sensation, external blurriness or debris in the morning. I used to use special preparations at $45.00 a bottle. A bottle of baby shampoo costs about $5.00, lasts for months and does a better job. My optician is doing himself out of immediate sales but has earned my loyalty if I need him for other matters.

[thalbergmad]

I had to Google that as I didn't know what it was.
Good advice old chap.

[timothy42b]

Thanks, I've been having the same symptoms lately.

My eye doctor gave me the same advice years ago but I'd forgotten. 

[thalbergmad]

Just a month the the PAA arm wrestling Champioships and I am in no mood to lose.

Thal

[ahinton]

Just a month the the PAA arm wrestling Champioships and I am in no mood to lose.

Thal

By the way (and I don't believe that I've ever previously mentioned this anywhere) but I did once try a vegan diet, not for specific heath, moral or other reasons but purely out of idle curiosity. I stuck tenaciously to it for some 2½ weeks. Whether that was sufficiently long to put it to the test I cannot say but it made me quite ill and I just had to stop otherwise the consequences might have worsened...

[thalbergmad]

We are designed to eat meat. Or at least, I am.

[ted]

After the severe Auckland flood last week the lawn and garden have taken on the personality of triffids. The pumpkin in the picture was only about six feet long a week ago. It is the first time I have had to raise the blade on the mower to push through the kikuyu. On the bright side the avocado tree has lots of pears and we are now able to grow bananas and egg plant, which were impossible to grow even thirty years ago. If I was doubtful about climate change I harbour no illusions now, mowing the lawns today I felt I was in the tropical enclosure at the zoo. It is to be hoped that those in power start paying attention to infrastructure instead of lining developers' pockets. The flood was a wake up call to cease unbridled intensification in the city without prior attention to drainage and utilities.
Other than that sobering thought, a day of very enjoyable exercise.

[thalbergmad]

Great to see Ted and his world famous lawn mower are still in action.
Thal

[ted]

I am sure Thal, in particular, will delight in knowing I have again increased my physical activity, both aerobic and resistance, to over 20 hours a week. Ten hours is structured and the other half comprises mowing lawns with a hand mower, labouring in the section and walking. Yes, of course I get the occasional minor strain, which takes about three times as long to go than it did fifty years ago, but I accept that because the consequences of not exercising are far worse.

Nothing except a hand mower can get that smooth green effect on the lawn. Motor mowers are noisy, stinky, expensive and dangerous and just scalp the grass into lumps and bare brown patches. Just like my music, our garden is untidy without a planned structure in sight, where flowers, weeds, insects and spiders proliferate in random, welcome juxtaposition, and bear's breeches grows among the roses.

[thalbergmad]

Well done Ted. I have increased my weight training too.
Thal

[anacrusis]

My God you could obliterate every single Einaudi and Schumann work in one fell stroke with those cannons.

[timothy42b]

My God you could obliterate every single Einaudi and Schumann work in one fell stroke with those cannons.

Not to mention extra cash from working as a piano mover.

[brogers70]

My God you could obliterate every single Einaudi and Schumann work in one fell stroke with those cannons.

It's amazing what that weighted, silent practice keyboard will do for you.

[thalbergmad]

I like to arm wrestle and I am beginning to get good at it.
It's not easy to find opponents of a similar age in UK so I end up pulling against people half my age.
My piano technique has suffered.
Thal

[timothy42b]

I like to arm wrestle and I am beginning to get good at it.
It's not easy to find opponents of a similar age in UK so I end up pulling against people half my age.
My piano technique has suffered.
Thal

When I was in high school (1960's) a piano duo arrived to play in the local concert series, bringing two grand pianos.

I got hired to help move the pianos up several flights of stairs into the auditorium.  The male part of the duo also helped lift the pianos, while his wife supervised but didn't touch anything.

Her piano technique was clearly well above his.  It might be pure coincidence, who knows?  But I might not do heavy manual labor on a day when fine motor skills are going to be needed. 

My parents both played piano.  When the page got full of notes, my Dad hit the keys harder while my Mom tended to finesse through them. 

[thalbergmad]

Very interesting. I now know that I was kidding myself if I didn't think heavy lifting would damage my piano playing. Common sense said it would, and it has.
However, I have a 200 pound grip.
Thal

[ted]

My resistance training is just a flea bite compared to Thal's and couldn't possibly impede my piano technique because prolonged gripping is not involved.

Timothy, there is another procedure I find effective for blepharitis. I bought from the pharmacist one of those wheat bags you heat in the microwave and apply to sore muscles. I hold it, taking care it isn't too hot, against my closed eyes twice a day for a few minutes. I find a couple of weeks of doing this is enough to clear the troublesome deposit which is inclined to build up owing to pollen or dust at certain times of the year and I can rely solely on the baby shampoo.

[ted]

Further to my last post, make sure with your medical professional that any eye drops you use are safe. There have been some serious infections recently from contaminated drops and some brands have been taken off the shelves.