Bowing to pressure

Due to pressure from my wife, granddaughter and doctor I'm gonna have to do a few lifestyle changes. Where I've been smoking 1-2 cigars a day I'm gonna cut back to 1-2 a week or less. I enjoy cigars too much to completely give em up. I have also attempted to loose weight in the past. I now must make a serious effort in that also.

The doc jumped my butt a couple weeks ago. When I passed this along to my wife she enlisted my granddaughter Lexee to help apply pressure.

I considered not listening to the doctor there is no way to escape my wife and Lexee.

I am in good health now and I really would like to stay that way.

For the record...I ain't dead or no where near it. I'm gonna keep hanging around. Gonna do a few more newbie sampler trades to get rid of excess stock...Possibly for some good rum. The doctor had no real objection to a drink or two.:smiley20:

I'm gonna confine my smoking to my favorite cigars.

Good luck brother! Those darn Granddaughters have so much power for such little girls don't they. :smiley2:

That pressure is only there because your loved ones care. At least you are not stubborn and ignoring their plea as many of us have experienced with family members given medical advise.

Long live the Sarge!

Good luck with everything sarge, there comes a time in a persons life when you got to start worrying about your health. I try to work out as much as possible, just to help stretch things out as long as I can. But I know the days is going to come when I'm going to have to cut back my little habbits...

I just hope its not any time soon.

:smiley36:

You gotta do what you gotta do Sarge. :smiley2: I, for one, have appreciated the advice and guidance in your posts and would love to see you "hanging out" for a LOT longer.

Cheers to you :smiley16:

You can have fun here and not smoke cigars...trust me:smiley2: We want you along for a long time so you cut back a little, add some exercise to your life and drink lots of water. Doing all that will get everyone off your back and you will feel a lot better.
Good luck!

do the fat smash or south beach diet...they both work and are sensible.....work out at least 2-3 days each week....cardio too.....drink lots of water......3-5 cigars each week should be no problem if you do all of the above..

Man, bringing out the heavy artillary (grandkids) - that's some serious business. :smiley2: Good luck Sarge - I second the exercise advice, and the water. I work out regularly - run as often as I want, while my joints still hold up, and hit the gym 3-5 times a week. Don't regret a minute of it.

Lifestyle changes like you're talking about are hard at first but worth it! :smiley20:

Good luck with the new regimen, sarge...

I suggest running every day. If you can't run, walk every day. I found that when I was running Tuesdays and Thursdays, it was real easy to start skipping workouts and getting into a funk because they were so spread out. When I was running every day, if I missed a day, I'd just pick up the next day.

You don't have to become Rocky overnight, either. If you can run a mile, run that mile every day. Pretty soon, you'll start to feel good about running that mile and you can start to add more distance. Most beginners try to bite off more than they can chew and stop working out altogether.

I also suggest running out and back. If I run on a circular track, I'll stop sooner than I should. But if I run out to a location, I have to get home one way or another. :smiley1:

You probably already know this, but simply walking (at a minimum) for 30 minutes three times a week will cure a lot of what ails many of the elderly :smiley2: My Dad has the diabetes you pick up from not exercising and a sugary diet. The doctor said, you could have the thing licked if you just ate a little more sensibly, but more importantly, started walking 30 minutes 3 times a week. Now you're in TN, and there's some beautiful terrain out there. I say if the wife is applying the pressure, she'd be more than willing to join you on a nightly walk. Go for 4 times a week for 30 minutes, and shoot smoke your 'gar while doing it.

It's amazing how what seems like so little exercise can really help. My Dad's friend started walking, he doesn't have to take the diabetes pills anymore to control the insulin.

Sarge, good luck. Let me know if you need any Hennepin, like you said, Doctor didn't say stop the good liquids. And what's your favorite smoke?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigMacFU

You probably already know this, but simply walking (at a minimum) for 30 minutes three times a week will cure a lot of what ails many of the elderly :smiley2:

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:smiley36:

Good luck with that. I was also informed by my Doc that I'm a prime canidate for a heart attack and already made some changes. Its a rough road. At least you have loved ones near to keep you at it. :smiley20:

Good luck Sarge, I have to lose some weight as well and at 39 i am pushing it, so I know I gotta do something soon or it is all downhill from here.

Thanks for the support folks. I'm gonna give it a chance. I'm in good health and want to stay that way. I just need to do some things to insure that stays the same.

My day was overweight and wound up having double knee replacement at Christmas last year. It nearly killed him. That scared the crap outa me. I'm now avoiding fast food...The curse of my profession.

Far as the smoking goes it is starting to make sense to moderate it. I'm by myself at work 75% of the time and was using cigars to combat boredom.

OK...Now for Mr. BigMacFU. That elderly remark is totally out of line. Just for your information...I ain't elderly. I have a story to prove it.

I used to work with an elderly gentleman when I worked for Coca Cola. I walked into his office one day. He looked up at me and said, "Ken...I realized I'm getting old last night."

I asked him how he knew that.

He said, "When I got into the bathtub last night my nutz floated to the top of the bathwater."

Well Mr. BigMacFU...This has not happened to me yet.:smiley36:

Omg this was the first time I ever look at your age on your profile. Your not old! I guess I always thought you were a lot older because of your avatar..I know it makes no sense:smiley9:

Wish all the best for you sarge.

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Originally Posted by cinda

Omg this was the first time I ever look at your age on your profile. Your not old! I guess I always thought you were a lot older because of your avatar..I know it makes no sense:smiley9:

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I chose my avatar because I like Ray Charles...With a little humor throw in.:smiley37:

Take care of yourself Sarge, make sure you're gonna live long to enjoy the bikes!!

If I happen to take a trip around Kentucky and Tenneesee again this year on the Wing, I'm gonna let you know and we'll hook up!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Newfie

Take care of yourself Sarge, make sure you're gonna live long to enjoy the bikes!!

If I happen to take a trip around Kentucky and Tenneesee again this year on the Wing, I'm gonna let you know and we'll hook up!

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Cool...LMK

Good luck Sarge....... we want ya around a long time......

I see they had to bring out the big guns with ya....... the grand-daughter.......

Yeah, good luck Sarge. Health and family should come first in a persons life.

I want to know why most of the fun things in life are either fattening or bad for you :smiley13: .

.

Good Luck sarge

Damn that kinda sucks. Well at least you'll have more money to spend on some good whiskey.

Hey Sarge...HH here. While I'm relatively new here, and a bit younger than you yet, I sometimes feel as if I am in the same boat as you. I am married with a beautiful wife and two beautiful children, and I want to be around for them a long time to come as well. I have been trying to get back into shape the last year or so.

Being into computers can be a sedentary lifestyle and can cause mid section expansion syndrome...lol. (if ya know wha I mean)

Wish you the best, and drink lots of water plus exercise even a little bit every day if not every other day. Watch out for Mr. Procrastination...he lurks around every corner. :smiley1:

Good luck, and I'll take whats left of your cigars...:smiley2: ...j/k

HH

sarge said....

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When I got into the bathtub last night my nutz floated to the top of the bathwater

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no need for proof,okay??.......do what i suggested and 3-5 cigars per week won't be a problem...

Hey Sarge,
It sounds like you have the right attitude on taking care of yourself and I think that's half the battle.
One thing I might recommend though. If you don't like the running, or if it's hard on the joints, get yourself an inexpensive bike. If your dad wore his knees out, it might be a hereditary problem and running can be tough on the knees, ankles, back, etc.
I recently gave up my daily run due to knee problems and the bicycle has been just a fantastic alternative. No more puffy knee, and my PT says my knee and ankle are in the best shape he's ever seen.
So, best of luck to you. Take care of yourself, and enjoy your family for many more years!

Good luck, good health, and congrats on your lifestyle changes Sarge!

I'm not in exactly the same boat, but I made some changes a while back. I've slowly gained weight over the years and was getting to the obesity stage at 334 pounds. Even for a tall muscular guy, that's waaaayyyy too much. My blood chemistry and pressure came back borderline in a few places during a physical and that was it for me. I started eating more whole grains, fresh fruit, vegetables and Lean Cusine's for dinner and cut back on snacking and booze. I lost 32 pounds and the blood work looks much better now. I've still got anopther 30 pounds or so to lose.

A few secrets

1.- Realize it took a long time to gain the weight and it will take a while to lose it too. Don't weigh yourself every day and make it a complete PITA.

2.- Replace any sugared beverages you drink with unsweetened or lightly sweetened tea, coffee, or (the best) good tasting water. Always drink water first if you are thirsty.

3.- Don't let yourself get ravenous. Keep fruit, vegetables, pretzels, nuts, peanut butter, and whole grain bread (Brownberry's Health Nut is my favorite) to snack on. Smart snacking is good for a healthy diet.

4.- At meals, fruits, vegetables, and whole grain products should make up the bulk. Lean meat or a protein food should be the small part. I ate Lean Cusine's with some toasted whole grain bread and or fruit. In the mornings, I eat whole grain cereal with granola, nuts, and dried cranberries or toasted whole grain bread with peanut butter or cheese. Scrambled eggs with salsa, lowfat cottage cheese, etc. For lunch, a lunchmeat sandwich and side salad were my favorite. A handful of chips won't kill you either. You should drink a big glass of water with your meals.

5.- Let yourself have some fun too. If you are going out to eat (once in a while) or it's the weekend, go ahead and eat a steak dinner and have a couple beers. Also remember, there will be constant slip-ups where you eat more than you should. It's OK. I have WEEKS where I screw it up constantly. Your overall eating habits over the long run are what make the difference. Be flexible and forgiving. Making yourself miserable won't accomplish much either. It's not a race to a finish line, it's changing your habits for the rest of your life. Accept that things are changing, will never be the same, and work towards them at your own pace and comfort.

6.- Housework and yard work are some of the best resources you have to help your finess. Instead of spending money on a gym membership, save money by buying a push mower instead of a riding one. Get exercise while beautifying your house and property by doing regular mowing, cleaning, maintenance, and landscaping. Change your own oil, and clean out the garage and basement. Have garage sales. Paint rooms. Anything to stay off the couch. Take an evening stroll with your family. Of course, only do the activities you are in good enough health for. You can do whatever exercise you like or have time for. I like to lift weights, but since the baby, I don't have the time.



These are some of the things that worked for me. I certainly don't stick to them %100 and I don't expect they will work for everyone. The important thing is to stay happy. There's absolutely no reason to make yourself miserable for the sake of a few calories. Try and find healthy foods you like instead of forcing yourself to eat something you find nasty.