Jogging Can Be Fun!

Submitted by Bill St. Clair on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:34:52 GMT  <== Personal ==> 

I went to my doctor recently for a yearly physical, and, a couple of weeks later, for a followup to go over blood test results. Need to increase my Vitamin D, which I'm doing by adding a second 2,000 IU pill to my daily regimen. More disturbing was high blood sugar AND insulin levels. That's called "Syndrome X", and its stress on the pancreas tends to lead to type 2 diabetes. So it's less fat and carbs, especially late in the day, and more exercise for Mr. Bill.

I'm not good at limiting my diet, and other than an occasional binge on ice cream or chips, I eat pretty well. So those binges have to stop, and I intend to slowly cut my meal portions. Have had some success at that, but am probably still eating too much.

I'm having better luck with increasing the exercise. I already walk for 30-45 minutes with the dogs, almost every day, but it's easy work. I first tried jogging after my Dad bought Kenneth H. Cooper's book, Aerobics, in 1968. Hated it. Made me feel awful. It took 43 more years to learn, from my kids, that landing on your heels while running damages your body. We're built to land on the balls of our feet, using the ankle joint as a natural spring to absorb the shock. And my doctor recommended combining sprinting and walking. Tried both. Jackpot. I jog until I'm out of breath, then walk until I'm not. It's fun!

Of course this is not without pain. I've had sore muscles, and appear to have pulled something in my left big toe, but sore muscles recover, and are stronger for it. I get out of breath in about 100 yards, but since I no longer have a problem with that, it'll get better over time. When 4 days of jogging turns to 40, I'll bet I see a marked improvement. Maybe I'll even try going barefoot in the spring, like my son.

Looking forward to having much more energy. I go back to the doctor in April for a progress check.

Add comment Edit post Add post

Comments (3):

Barefoot running

Submitted by DaveP on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:39:33 GMT

If going barefoot makes your feet sore, or you find you're stepping on too many things, try a pair of Vibram Five Fingers. They're like serious callouses in a box.

Edit comment

Thanks for the recommendation,

Submitted by Bill St. Clair on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:43:55 GMT

Thanks for the recommendation, Dave. I thought Vibram Five Fingered Shoes looked interesting when I mentioned them back in June of 2009. I'll definitely consider them if I find it harder to toughen up my feet than my son has.

Edit comment

Well, I walk barefoot

Submitted by Dave Polaschek on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:43:19 GMT

Well, I walk barefoot much of the summer (around my yard, and other areas I know are safe), but wear VFFs when I'm heading somewhere nearby because they mean I don't have to watch as closely for pieces of broken bottles or pointy rocks. But then I live in town near the University, and our neighborhood gets more than its share of the former due to parties in the spring.

Edit comment