Richard Ha writes:
Goal: lose one pound per week for 39 weeks
Starting weight on 5/23/06: 214.6 lbs.
End goal, on 2/18/07: 175 lbs.
This week’s target weight: 205.6 lbs.
Today’s actual weight: 202.9 lbs. 7/23/06
I am 2.7 lbs. ahead of schedule
I lost .6 lbs. since last week
Weight loss since 5/23: 11.7 lbs.
Resting heart rate 5/23: 65 beats per minute
Today’s resting heart rate: 56 beats per minute.*
* This goes down as one gets into better shape. Lance Armstrong is said to be 32. George W’s was reported to be 47 beats per minute. Out of shape, mine is in the 70s. My best was 52, many years ago.
* * *
I’m 61 years old now. Is that old?
Prior to starting this weight loss program, I’d been feeling what I thought were the effects of aging. The symptoms were general aches and pains, especially in and around the spine.
I’ve been noticing that if I accidentally bumped into a rigid object, like a wall, I would feel a jolt run all the way down my spine. This had been coming on over the last five years. More noticeable is that over the last year I have felt a jolt go up my spine when stepping off a curb or down a step.
Before I started this weight loss program, I noticed myself taking a little longer to straighten out my back after sitting for a while, like after dinner or after sitting in the office for a while, and when getting out of the truck after driving for a bit. I hate to admit it but I was starting to acquire the gait of an old person. The gait had to do with avoiding aches and pains.
I was starting to wonder if this was all age-related. Or did it have more to do with being overweight and out of shape?
My recent program of weight loss has already helped me answer the question of whether it’s old age or under-use of my muscles.
It’s now eight weeks into the weight loss program. I’ve lost 11.7 pounds and I’m in much better shape. I’m moving around a lot more and I’m regaining the spring in my step.
I found myself tiptoeing around the house the other morning. This is significant, because tiptoeing has to do with the condition of one’s calf muscles. The calf muscles allows one to step toe-first and so cushion one’s step. Watch yourself walking or running down stairs—it’s toe, then heel.
Before, I was feeling a jarring and pounding sensation when walking down steps. It was because I was taking steps flat-footed, with no shock absorption. To protect against the discomfort, when no one was looking I would take the three stairs at home one at a time. It should be left, right, left and gone. But for me it had become more like left and right, one; left and right and two; then left and right and down.
It just occurred to me that I ran down the stairs the other day, and that I no longer drag myself out of a chair hoping I’ll be able to straighten out before it becomes noticeable. Now I find myself sliding out of the chair at a restaurant, jumping up and going straight to pay the bill. When did the pain go? One day, it dawned on me: It’s gone.
A light bulb went on the other morning when I found myself tiptoeing around the house trying to be quiet. I had forgotten I could do that.
Chris Seymour, owner of The Bike Hub in Hilo (mountain biking is his real job, and the bike shop is what he does to kill time) walks around on his toes more than anyone I know. His calves are so strong that it looks like he has a hard time staying down on the ground. He has major shock absorbers.
The good news? I’ve learned it’s definitely not age—it’s non-use. “Use ’em or lose ’em” is a true statement.
Age 61 is not yet old, my granddaughter’s opinion not withstanding. Just don’t let yourself get too heavy. Don’t let gravity win. When your calf muscles are overtaxed, it sets you up to slow down even more.
Second, get your resting heart rate down. The heart is a muscle and a strong heart takes less effort to do its work.
And that is the heart of the matter.