it seems like just a couple weeks ago that i was sitting here, looking out the window, surprised to see bright green leaves on our japanese maple.
today, same window, same tree...and the leaves are turning. deep red on this side, some yellow on the other.
how did this happen? how did five months go by without so much as a by-your-leave? where did that time go, and what filled it up? i'm not sure, but it feels like it was a lot of something.
the takeaway is that time flies, and times are a-changin', and time is (not necessarily) on our side. i know this, in a very personal way, via a follow-up note from my primary care doctor.
i had a physical last week. my first one in, oh-i-don't-know, a few years. why do i need to go to the doctor? my diagnosis is, "i feel fine." this assessment was confirmed during the appointment, where the blood pressure was on the low side, the resting heart rate was lower still, and the doctor said, "you're in great shape."
for the record, i'm not in "great" shape. i'm in "good" shape, maybe, for a middle-age guy trying to compensate for too much work and not enough basketball. but i've been in much better shape, and not that long ago.
bygones. the current report is here in my hand, where it says my total cholesterol is 228 and my LDL is 156.
that's not great, but it's not the worst of it. that comes from the same doctor who said, "great shape" just a couple days ago.
"mr. spaceneedl, your LDL is a bit high. try to work exercise into your schedule, cut out/down saturated fats (full fat dairy, red meat, fried anything) eat oatmeal; let's recheck in 6-9 months."
okay, that's uncalled-for. full-fat dairy? are you kidding? i have skim milk on my cereal and eat low-fat yogurt. okay, i like a little brie and bread now and again. once a month, tops. but that's it.
red meat? i stopped eating that in college. now i stick to chicken, turkey, and fish. no red meat. zero. same with fried food. no french fries, no fried chicken, no fried calamari. nada. i haven't even had a donut in years.
i'm incensed. my cholesterol level is not a lifestyle issue, doctor. i still work out three or four times a week. it's not enough, but it's not chopped liver, either.
what's happening here? where is all my time? why is my cholesterol too high? when did i become a health risk?
and who's gonna rake all those damn leaves?
calm. deep breaths. no need to elevate the blood pressure. wouldn't be prudent in my weakened condition.
frickin' doctors. they did this to me. i was fine before i went in. i'm ok. nothing wrong with me a re-write of this post wouldn't cure. a couple of good jokes is what i need.
no more doctor appointments. ever.
4 comments:
This is utterly depressing news, spaceneedl.
Do you know how many of your readers aspire to your fitness and health regimens?
This is not a motivating report, my friend!
i'd like to blame my parents for bad genetics...but i can't. their cholesterol profile is significantly better than mine, despite the fact that they have lifestyle issues i've never even contemplated.
this ain't right, i tell you. i'm mad as hell, and i'm not gonna take it any more...
Maybe you should try the alternative.
Maybe cheeseburgers are actually cholesterol reducing agents.
How about smoking? Have you thought of that? My mother smokes like a chimney and has the lowest cholesterol of anyone I know.
Just some, er, food for thought ...
cheesburgers and tobacco. well...that's a regimen i hadn't considered. could i wash it all down with bourbon, or would that counteract the fat and nicotine?
if i'm gonna do this, i want to do it right.
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