dharmagrl

Join Date 02/2004

Things I learned in the doctor's office

I took my laptop to my appointment with the neurologist today and wrote the following whilst I was waiting to be seen (he was running almost 2 hours late):

Blogging from the doctor’s office

I’m constantly amazed at the people I meet in doctor’s offices. Truly. Today I overheard (you couldn’t help but overhear, this woman was talking so loud) about how her cousin had torched his car for the insurance money and had got caught. She mentioned to her friend about how she was feeling queasy, and her friend ( a morbidly obese lady in a motorized wheelchair) replied “well, tha’s prolly the nerves tha’s got to do with yer stomach bein’ all messed up”. Lady number one said that her husband felt the same way, and lady number too said “ooh! He want could do with seein’ the neurologist too! Might could be that because he’s kin to you, you could have passed on that there messed up nerve to ‘im!”.

*sigh*

Fuckin’ hillbillies. I felt like saying “actually, you probably both had a virus, that’s all. No nerve that I know of can mess with your stomach like that” I didn’t, of course. They think I’m hoity toity as it is because I’m sitting here with my laptop.

Whilst I was waiting today, I learned all about the subtleties of the disability system – how to manipulate it so’s you can stay on it for….well, the rest of your life. It’s no wonder people with a TRUE disability are so reluctant to apply. There’s such a stigma attached to it, mainly because of people like the ones sitting next to me right now. She’s probably reading this. I hope she is, actually.

The one that’s in the wheelchair is saying about how all her problems come from her weight (I’d guesstimate 300lbs, easy). She has diabetes – because of her weight. She has diabetic neuropathy – because of the diabetes because of her weight. She has back problems – because of her weight. Any orthopedic surgeon will tell you that your back benefits from losing weight. So, it would seem to me that if she lost some weight, her medical issues would diminish and she might feel better. But then she’d lose her disability, wouldn’t she? She might have to go to work to EARN money. So, it’s not really in her best interests to lose any weight or try and get herself into better physical shape. There’s no incentive. So, she’ll carry on scooting around in her wheelchair, seeing endocrinologists and neurosurgeons, taking more from the disability payment system than she ever put in. That really aggravates me, because I know some people who really could qualify for disability but who are so discouraged from applying because it’s so difficult to get.

Take LW, for example. She qualifies because of her RA and HepC, but she didn’t apply until last year….and when she did, she found that she qualified. MM too – he’s another one. ParaTed…he should be on it if he’s not on it already.

I guess my point is that sitting in a Medicare doctor’s office really makes me aware of the state this country has got itself into with disability payments. We’ve made such a ‘nanny state’ that folks simply don’t have any incentive to do for themselves…because the government will do for them. In fact, that’s a pretty accurate description of the entire welfare system – don’t worry about doing for yourselves, because the governmental safety net will take care of what you won’t.

Ha! Check this out: my doctor says I’d qualify for disability! How fucking ironic is THAT?!!! I’m not going to apply. Why, you ask? Because we don’t need the money. We’re doing alright for money as it is. I don’t need a disability check, and I sure as hell am not going to take advantage of something I don’t need.

I will not become that which I detest.

(P.S.) I'm also off percocet regularly (I have some, but it's for emergencies) and on a fentanyl patch instead. I've been reassured that it's the best treatment for me right now.....better pain control as I wear less and less of the brace and start doing more and more. Plus, I put one on and don't have to worry about it for 3 days. Better than percocet every 4 hours, huh? I just hope it doesn't make me feel stoned all the time. Stoned every once in a while is okay, but not all day every day)

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Good to hear your getting better D.

You know Ive been on a disability payment since 1995, kinda weird being my age and on one, but I have always worked and been on it, I just let the government know Im working and they reduce the amount I get, for me it is a safety net as things are so unpredictable with this virus. When Im in fulltime employment they stop the payments but still allow me to use it to get my meds at a reduced cost, otherwise it would run into the hundreds of dollars every month for meds, which makes it a little easier to get by.

Life sucks when your on disability, its not anything you can live on but it sure helps when im sick and cant get to work.

I like the idea of you writing when your sitting at the drs office.. I could have written a whole series of books by now the amount of times ive been sitting and waiting... and waiting, that's all you seem to do when your at the drs. What's with that? They make appointments and they know how long an average appointment is going to take but they seem to want to squeeze more people in, I guess reduces the list but having to wait so long, at least they could call and say we have a waiting period of such and such you might want to come back later.

Im winging now. But I hate waiting for so long!..

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No, Offense Dharma, and it made me chuckle. But your relating the conversation between the hillbillies?

Sounded Cockney! Honest! I thougth I was listening to Eliza doolittle!

Sorry for that wait too! But at least you had some quality time with Wintel.

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and waiting, that's all you seem to do when your at the drs

Yeah, tell me about it. I waited for 2 hours to see him for less than 10 mins. My family doctor, Larry, is usually late as well, but he spends more time with me.

If I needed the money, P, I'd apply for the disability. I don't blame you at all for taking it, it's a source of income for you and you need it. With Dave being in the military, we don't need the money. If I want another source of income, I'll go get a job and earn it.

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But your relating the conversation between the hillbillies?
Sounded Cockney!

Hehe...yeah, a lot of the abbreviations I used would be the same ones I used for a londoner's accent. These folks, however....I dunno if you've ever heard a southern Illinois accent, but these folks had it.

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I dunno if you've ever heard a southern Illinois accent, but these folks had it.

Dont believe so, unless it is like a southern Ohio one?

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"Whilst I was waiting today, I learned all about the subtleties of the disability system – how to manipulate it so’s you can stay on it for….well, the rest of your life. "

Remember that discusssion (aka...big ass argument that went all over the freaken place on JU) back in August? Part (or most) of it was on disabilities. I mentioned how some people actually are able to manipulate the system and get in it, stay in it when they dont really need it. Well that went as well as a flaming bag of poo. What you said above is the point I was trying to get across. Good article though.

*crosses fingers...hopes this doesnt come back to haunt him*

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Dont believe so, unless it is like a southern Ohio one

I've never been to southern ohio, so I can't say. This is sort of a souther accent, almost like a Kentucky but not as broad. For instance, around here they say 'highway faaarty' instead of 'forty' and 'up'air' for 'up there'.

Part (or most) of it was on disabilities. I mentioned how some people actually are able to manipulate the system and get in it, stay in it when they dont really need it. Well that went as well as a flaming bag of poo. What you said above is the point I was trying to get across

I know, and I'm sorry I had a go at you over it, but you did sound as if you were saying that too many disabled people were making things up just to get benefits. My point is that the conditions they have are REAL...but that it doesn't benefit them to do anything to change their physical shape and thereby help themselves get better. Like the lady yesterday - had she lost some weight, her diabetes would have improved. Had she losy some weight, her back issues would probably have improved. Have she lost some weight, she might not have needed to use a motorized wheelchair to get around. But if she HAD lost some weight and become more able bodied she'd have either lost or had her disability benefits decreased. So, there's no reason for her to do anything to improve herself.

Did you ever see 'The Simpsons' episode where Homer gains a ton of weight so he can work from home? That's the kind of thing I'm talking about.

It's not going to come back to haunt you, Ziggy. Now that you've clarified what you were trying to say....I got your back, man (on this subject, anyway).

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stay in it when they dont really need it.

Let me clarify that a little: they DO need it, because the conditions they have that qualify them for disability are real. I think that what you were trying to say (and what I'm also trying to say) is that some people on disability, were they improve their physical condition by losing weight, eating better, walking more etc etc...then they might be able to get off disability and go back to work.

So, their illnesses/conditions are REAL - but in some cases people choose to maintain the status quo rather than do anything to help themselves out. THOSE are the people that give everyone on disability a bad name, who make it difficult for people who really DO need the benefits to get them.

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It's not going to come back to haunt you, Ziggy. Now that you've clarified what you were trying to say....I got your back, man (on this subject, anyway).

woohoo! or....hmm....partial woohoo!
Ill reply on the second comment later today....but Im late for work.

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"I don't care what's wrong with you, even if you have a crippling or fatal disease, as long as you can breathe, you can work."

I recall that too, and I recall the furor that went along with it. I'm not going to say that he didn't say it, because he did.....but I'm starting to think that Ziggy might say some stuff that he either doesn't think out very well or just doesn't express himself clearly.

I'm not going to defend some of the things that he said, but I am going to agree that there are some people for whom disability payments have simply become a way of life....and the recipients of such see no reason to change the status quo. Yesterday wasn't the first time I've seen it; pretty much every time I go to that office I hear and see similar stories and people.

Now that I have access to good medical care, I'm doing everything within my power to get well. I am having weight loss surgery in January to ease the strain on my spine, knees, and ankles. I've joined the Y and will start swimming a few times a week as soon as I get off my ass and go buy some shower shoes, lol. (I keep forgetting.)

You mean flip flops? I can get some and decorate them for you if you like. I made myself some decorated with red bandana material this summer to match a shirt I have. I know those wouldn't be any good for you because they'd get soggy, but I'd love to make you some with sequins and beads...stuff that won't drop off when it gets wet. Let me know what size you are and I'll see what I can do - oh, and it's not a trouble, I was going to make myself some anyway and it'll give me something to do whilst Dave's away again.

It was the indescribable and almost constant pain of R/A that finally convinced me to throw in the towel as far as my working days were concerned. That and the fact that I realized if I did NOT get serious and ongoing medical care that I had nothing but more of the same to look forward to until I could no longer take it and killed myself.

See, you're one of the people who truly do need to be on disability. You have a permanent, debilatating disease, and it's not something that's going to go away or get better.

Like I said, I see a lot of people recieving disability payments and benefits who truly are deserving - and I see just as many people slogging away in pain, working their guts out because disability just isn't an option for them, either because they simply couldn't afford to live on the paltry sum or because they have some old-school pride and don't want to be seen as a 'scrounger'. (For the record, S, I think you fall into the latter category).

As for the 300 lb woman, well....I think that for her, disability is just a way of life. It's how it is. Her husband works and brings in an income, and she gets her disability payment. I see that a lot around here. A lot of the physicians I go see are Medicaid/Medicare docs (which is why they're always running late, hehe) and I see men and women like her quite frequently. It's very sad...

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Pretty much. Im having a hard time thinking clearly as of late...Marcie thinks its because of stress. I often am finding myself at a loss for words and when speaking...the same thing happens. Talking, talking, talking and then I cant say a simple word...rather bothering. Not an excuse...but its something that Ive noticed has been happening more and more lately.

I know, and I'm sorry I had a go at you over it, but you did sound as if you were saying that too many disabled people were making things up just to get benefits.

Never meant to say that although that might have been how I first sounded. I know that later on as the thing went on...I did try to clarify myself by specifying in bold and / or italics that I was referring to some. I certainly dont think the vast majority of people on disability are faking it. However, like I said either on my thread or LWs (before she blacklisted me), that the system does have some people in it that truly dont need to be on it.

My point is that the conditions they have are REAL...but that it doesn't benefit them to do anything to change their physical shape and thereby help themselves get better.

Exactly. Losing weight helps take care of many, not all issues. I know if I lost weight (which Im trying to do), that Id be healthier and potentially off my meds. My mom is on the overweight side and her doctors have been telling her for years to lose some or else she could be a diabetic (based on blood labwork), and she has tried, albiet not that hard; she did lose weight, but not as much as her docs would have liked. Finally, he told her that she was a diabetic (.....not sure what type, the not so bad type). That really lit a fire in her to walk more with the dog, eat the right foods, stay away from carbs...etc; and now she is losing weight.

Now, Im not going to say that people with disabilities dont want to become healed, because that is simply not the case. Most people with problems want to get whatever it is taken care of, get under control, get healed or fixed...etc. And then there are some that just dont....care / think its a big deal...etc. Those are the same people who think "oh its not so bad, Ill be ok...it will go away on its own."..They just dont put 2 and 2 together and realize that "hey...this is going to change my life big time! I need to get the ball rolling, NOW!"

And Dharma...Im not going to reply to others on here...I really want to....but nope. Not going to scratch the dog behind the ears...make em suffer.

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I don't see what the argument is. Who is going to argue that people who have a disabling condition shouldn't get help? Who is going to argue that those who are receiving disability shouldn't be working toward a point where they can begin contributing to society again?

Dan

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Exactly. Losing weight helps take care of many, not all issues

Yeah, but I wouldn't think to yourself that you'd be able to come off your blood pressure meds if you lost some weight, Ziggy. Dave's not overweight by a long shot, but he still has to take meds for his BP. He runs a couple of miles at least 3 days a week, lifts weights, watches what he eats....yet without his meds his BP usually runs 170 over 110 (and that's a low blood pressure for him pre-medication). But you're right...losing weight DOES help out your overall health.

Most people with problems want to get whatever it is taken care of, get under control, get healed or fixed...etc. And then there are some that just dont....care / think its a big deal...etc. Those are the same people who think "oh its not so bad, Ill be ok...it will go away on its own."..They just dont put 2 and 2 together and realize that "hey...this is going to change my life big time! I need to get the ball rolling, NOW!"

Either that, or people don't care. I know people who say stuff like "well, my mom was overweight, so it runs in our family. There's nothing I can do about it" and they leave it at that. They also don't realize the other problems morbid obesity brings with it....diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, joint and spine problems, asthma can be exacerbated, your heart has to work harder, your skin gets ulcers because it's stretched so thin...chicks can have issues with their estrogen levels and their ovaries......obesity (and I think it's important to note that we're talking about being morbidly obese rather than just a couple of pounds overweight) can kill you in a number of ways.

And Dharma...Im not going to reply to others on here...I really want to....but nope. Not going to scratch the dog behind the ears...make em suffer.

*sigh* Ziggy, I wish you hadn't said that. You were doing so well. Don't go screwing up all the progress you're making with comments like that, please? I'm starting to warm to you, and I think that other people might be starting to see that you really just don't express yourself well and are stressed out as well.....so let's keep comments like that to a minimum until you're on better terms with everyone, ok?

You know what, Ziggy? After reading your response I felt a vague (and slight) sympathy for you, simply because you do seem to have so much difficulty in getting your *real* meaning across.

It lasted exactly as long as it took me to read that last sentence.

I know, and I told him that he screwed up....but can you give him one more chance? Please? I'm trying to.....

The only so called "medically supervised cure" that has a worse failure rate than 12 Step addiction treatments is "medically supervised weight loss."

Ha! I have zero faith in all those 12 step programs.....

You didn't "work the program" correctly.

...and that's exactly why I have zero faith in them. You're a failure for being there in the first place, and they make you feel like a failure again and again and again. There's no morale building, only guily tripping. It's a wonder more people don't top themselves after going through a 12 step program.

Screw it. Cut me up and twist my innards. I'd have never, EVER dreamed of having this done merely for cosmetic reasons, but when it comes to my ability to walk, exercise, and generally enjoy life, anything to relieve my spine and joint pain is worth a go

I had much the same attitude about my back.

I have to watch my weight too. I've gained about 10 lbs since the start of the year, and I can feel it. Actually, my back feels it. Once I'm more mobile and can do more I think I'll be able to get back down to 125 again. Yeah, I know, 135 isn't that heavy and a lot of people would be happy to be that weight, but that's not the point I'm trying to make. My point is that I know from experience that a few extra pounds can have a huge effect on spine, back and joint pain. HUGE. Even a couple of pounds makes a difference. So, S, I can guarantee that after you've had your surgery you're going to notice a BIG difference. (I'm glad that you got the surgery approved DESPITE that beeatch psychologist's report).

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Perhaps you should read the article again, Dan. There isn't really an argument there, it's more of a statement that some peope are comfortable and happy with their disability payments and aren't likely to do anything to improve their physical condition - because to do so would mean they would no longer be disabled and eligible for a government check.

Now, if you're referring to Ziggy and LW's banter - that stems from an article a month or so ago when Ziggy said that he felt like there were a lot of people who were saying they were 'disabled' and were receiving government assistance when they were, in all reality, able bodied and therefore frauds. LW, being disabled herself (and genuinely so) and a couple of other people (also genuinely disabled) took offence to the way Ziggy worded his article and subsequent comments - and thus a flame war was born.

I'm trying to mend some of the fences that got fried in that war.

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Sorry this went this way. I really liked your article, and thought you had some great thoughts. But I am bowing out.

Take care Dharma. My Vibes/prayers are with you! That is what this is all about.

Party time in a few! Your place. Even if it is just tea and crumpets! heheheheh

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Yeah, but I wouldn't think to yourself that you'd be able to come off your blood pressure meds if you lost some weight, Ziggy.

Well...good point...my dads side of the fam has a issue with BP (dad said "either our hearts explode, or our brains explode"). BP usually isnt an issue in the fam until we are older. Also, my bp was never an issue until last year or so in the summer time when my docs started to notice it was higher than where they wanted and then finally my family doc really laid it out for me to see pretty clearly the dangers of what could happen if i dont stay on em. I think its a combination in my case of family, weight, job situation (ack!).

yet without his meds his BP usually runs 170 over 110

So...one day while I wasnt working this school year...I watched Oprah (hangs head in shame). They had a doctor who was talking about a bunch of stuff (mainly digestive stuff...etc). He then talked about blood pressure and how many people dont know it. They then mentioned they took the bp of everyone in their audience. He called one lady out...her bp was 250! He said "that....that....that number scares ME!" I just sat there. Not many people know its up until there is a problem.

your heart has to work harder

I hear ya there...when I went to the cardiologist...he said that what I had was a thickening of the heart walls because my heart was working too hard and that really freaked me out big time. Marcie can tell you Id have episodes where all of a sudden...I just felt like crap....I felt my heart and it was racing. That really lit a fire under me to lose weight.

*sigh* Ziggy, I wish you hadn't said that. You were doing so well.

Awww, Stink! I was going good! I dont think Ill get on better terms with some people Dharma. Id like to be...but some people get to the point that they argue so much against me that they have to lower themselves to insult me. It just gets to the point where Im getting attacked or my profession is and I just get frustrated... I think its safe to say that Ive done a fairly good job of biting my tongue and not following the line of action others resort to on here. Probably have messed up here and there...but I havent gone as far as others have on here, as far as how I treat others. The plain fact is that we are going to argue. I dont mind arguing as long as it is sensible and it can be on a certain level. Marcie posted a thread about a bunch of thrift stuff and she wanted recipies and LW came right out and offered one on her blog and Id like to thank her for that...but alas...either Marcie, I, or both of us are blacklisted.

ok...ack! nobody reply to my stuff on here! lol...Im taking this away from Dharmas original point.

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Ah, it seems my history was incomplete. In that case... Ziggy, shut up and be nice. LW has a persona to take care of.

Dan

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ok...ack! nobody reply to my stuff on here! lol...Im taking this away from Dharmas original point.

Don't worry about that. You can thank her here if you'd like. I'm more than happy for my blog to be your connection to LW so's you two can get some stuff worked out if you need to. I'd love to see some fences mended here.

Marcie posted a thread about a bunch of thrift stuff and she wanted recipies and LW came right out and offered one on her blog and Id like to thank her for that...but alas...either Marcie, I, or both of us are blacklisted.

So, as I just said, say it here. I don't mind.

I dont think Ill get on better terms with some people Dharma. Id like to be...but some people get to the point that they argue so much against me that they have to lower themselves to insult me

Well, you can give as good as you get sometimes. Not with the insults, but when you defend your profession you come across as arrogant, and that automatically puts people's backs up.

Don't give up on being on better terms with people here....I mean, you and I are talking and I nevber thought THAT would happen!

when I went to the cardiologist...he said that what I had was a thickening of the heart walls because my heart was working too hard and that really freaked me out big time.

Dave had to have an ekg done when he got his initital bp workup. He also had to have a renal function test and a 5 day bp test done. he went in one day after work, and his BP was 190/140 - and they let him walk out of the clinic with a BP like that! That's the kind oif BP that people have strokes at; usually when someone's BPO is that high they're admitted to the hospital so they can be medicated and have their BP bought down. I had a friends who had a headache for 3 days straight, so he went to the ER because he couldn't stand it anymopre...he gets checked in and the next thing he knows all hell is breaking loose because his BP was so high they thought he was going to stroke out right there and then. He had to stay in the hospital on IV meds for 2 days.

He called one lady out...her bp was 250! He said "that....that....that number scares ME!"

Yeah, that scares me too!

finally my family doc really laid it out for me to see pretty clearly the dangers of what could happen if i dont stay on em. I think its a combination in my case of family, weight, job situation (ack!).

Well, the genetic part you can't really help, and the job situation is sort of beyond your control too. You just have to take care of what you can...and you CAN control your weight and the amount of exercise you get. Dieting often isn't enough, exercise makes you feel better all around too. Like on the days that you don't work, go for a walk. Even if it's only for 4 or 5 blocks, it's still better than nothing.

JU has a dietclub that you might want to think about posting articles to.

Sorry this went this way. I really liked your article, and thought you had some great thoughts. But I am bowing out.

Thanks for the compliment, and I understand.

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Sighs..I swear you guys think everything I post is either somehow about you or directed towards you.

Hehehe...no offence, Ziggy, but I've seen that happen too, and it's not just you that does it. I've ben guilty of it in the past as well.

As far as that obese lady in the doctor's office goes, again I must say that if she fails to participate in her own recovery that it's not *just* the money that's causing this. Disability payments are not enough to live on, not by a long shot, and the cash does NOT make up for feeling like shit every day of your life.

She's got to have some sort of mental illness going on there as well. Some demon that her illness and helplessness feeds. In cases like this I think Social Security should DEMAND her compliance with whatever instructions are given to her in regards to recovery, and her payments reduced or eliminated for failure to comply.

I think that some people like the attention that seeing a doctor and being 'ill' gets them. It's called Munchausen's syndrome. I'm not saying that this lady had that, I'm just saying that some people are like that.

I'm in total agreement with your idea that you either comply with the treatment program your physician has come up with for you or you don't get paid. I think that if that were ever enforced this country would see quite a drop in the number of people living on disability.

While excess weight certainly can and DOES contribute to high blood pressure, dharma is correct when she states that many people who have never carried an ounce of excess flesh can be devastated by its effects.

oh heck yes! Like I said, Dave's not overweight. He's 5'8" and 167, yet he still, if he doesn't take his meds has high blood pressure. His mother has the same thing, his sister had pre-eclampsia when she was pregnant with all of her babies...his grandfather on his mother's side of the family also has hypertension, so it's obvious that it's a genetic thing.

Ziggy, if you're still reading and keeping up with this thread, I have this suggestion for you: both you and Marcie should try and lose some weight together. Trust me, it's a lot easier to lose weight when the person you're living with (and therefore cooking with) has the same goal as yourself. Dave and I decided to do Atkins together a few years back, and we found that we did much better losing together than we did trying to diet at different times. It's not just about what you eat, either.....exercise is just as important. Even if you're just walking a couple of blocks a day. If you're interested, I have a beginning runner's schedule that I think you both could do. Drop me a line (dharmagirl69@gmail.com) and I'll explain it further. I'll bet you're thinking "yeah, right! There's no way in hell I can run! This chick's crazy!"....but it's really, really easy. I'm going to do it again when my back is healed better, and if I can do it.....so can you.

I also have some yoga moves that might be good for the both of you, especially if you're stressed. People think that yoga isn't anything strenuous, but it's really very deceptive....you'll be feeling it the day after. The relaxation stuff is very simple, gentle stretching and some controlled breathing. Like I said, let me know if you're interested, I'll be more than happy to help.

Tell Marcie I said 'baaa'.

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Sighs..I swear you guys think everything I post is either somehow about you or directed towards you.

lol......all righty then...I take back my comment about wanting to thank you.

Dharma, thanks for the suggestion...Ill think about it. We do walk occasionally...but lately when we get home we are just plain old whipped. She has started a diet thing with the ladies at her school...well I think its just a walking thing. We do need to get out more...but its just the lack of energy. She usually takes a nap and I would to...its just that Im not much of a napper. Im not trying to make it an excuse, lol...but we are just so tired at 4pm that neither one of us has the energy to get out and walk. I was really hoping to get out there this fall and walk so it wouldnt be so hard to do because....in the winter...who wants to walk when its 20 degrees out, lol.

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lately when we get home we are just plain old whipped. She has started a diet thing with the ladies at her school...well I think its just a walking thing. We do need to get out more...but its just the lack of energy. She usually takes a nap and I would to...its just that Im not much of a napper. Im not trying to make it an excuse, lol...but we are just so tired at 4pm that neither one of us has the energy to get out and walk

Know why that is? And please don't think I'm being rude or ugly when I say this, I'm not meaning to be...

It's because you're overweight. Because your metabolisms are slow, because your endocrine systems are all out of whack.

What time are you going to bed at night that you want to come home and take a nap at 4pm because you're beat? That's a geriatric habit, not the habit of a twenty-something person. Not unless they've been partying until 3am the night before, that is.

I know that you're tired, but Ziggy....we're talking about your health. Yours AND Marcie's. I'm going to email her and explain some more, because I don't think the the public forums is the appropriate place to talk about this, but before I go I want to give you an introduction to the beginner running program.

For the first 2 weeks, this is what you do: Three times a week, for 20 minutes at a time, you go outside. You start off by walking for 2 mins. Then, you jog for 1 min. Then, you walk for 2 mins, and again, run for 1 min. You do that, alternating between running and walking, for the whole time. When your 20 mins are up, you stop and go home. You don't do any more than that, and you don't do any less than that for the 2 week period, no matter how much you feel like you can do more or run faster and longer.

If you're interested, I'll send you the rest of the program. But please, think about it seriously. It's really a good thing to do.....

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