Steve Scalph

Last week I could feel it coming on – GOUT! Been there, done that, was not something I was looking forward to. If you have had an attack of Gout, you know what I am talking about.

Well over the weekend it really hit hard, with a swollen big toe on my left foot. It wasn’t bad cutting grass sitting on my Dixon ZTR but any walking around was painful. I spent a lot of time with my foot elevated while I laid on the couch. I didn’t feel bad about this because I had made a trip to LA Fitness Sunday morning for a good workout, just nothing that required walking.

This morning, Monday, I had a scheduled doctor’s appointment for my annual physical. BP good, Cholesterol good, no unusual aches or pains, no chest pains, just one big fat swollen toe! The doctor was pretty bored. Before my physical, my wife tells me that she heard on Dr Oz that raisins soaked in gin brings relief for arthritis, or gout. The doctor has never heard of this.

Personally, I am thinking this is okay because a year ago I stopped drinking alcohol as it creates uric acid which causes gout. Now I am thinking that my GIN Martinis would go good with 9 or so golden raisins!

Well, I get home and I have a whole jar full of raisins soaked in GIN. I am thinking this is okay! Think I may look forward to remedy!

Anyone ever heard of this?

Wow, what an eye opener!

About a year ago I became a vegetarian and feel really great for the changes in diet that I have accomplished. After reading “The Veganist” I am extremely happy that I made the changes. Industrial meat is not healthy at all and the lives these poor animals live in order to provide food for us is abominable.

The biggest impact this book made on me was the testimonials of individuals who changed their lifestyle by changing their diets. Many in a short period of time. One example was “Robert Dew’s Story, Reversign the Family Heart-Atttack Pattern”. Within 6 months he went from Blood Pressure of 130/95 to 115/65 and Cholesterol 250/127 with no meds, just diet and exercise. Oh, but there is more, but you will have to read the book.

My personal experience is that by doing the Lemonade Master Cleanse, changing my diet, and regular exercise, my blood pressure has dropped from 160/100 (a year ago) to 114/65 (last week at the doctors office). Next week a full physical to see what the other indicators are.

I stopped by to see my family doctor this evening to check out a couple skin irritations on my back. Nothing serious but I have had a couple of bouts with skin cancers.

It is always good speaking with Dr L, because she is very knowledgeable about alternate health and nutrition. About a year ago I was taking 2 blood pressure medications, and was fed up with the SIDE EFFECTS, so I decided to make a change. I did the Lemonade Master Cleanse, stopped taking my BP meds, changed my diet to a vegetarian diet, started exercising regularly.

My weight dropped, my blood pressure dropped, I felt better! My muscle tone improved (or so I was told by my masseuse).

Today at my screening my blood pressure was 114/68. Not bad for a 67 year old man. The average 67 year old takes 7 prescription medications. I take none.

When I got home I was relating my results to my wife and mentioned something the doctor told me about how so many parents today have no idea about health or nutrition. (read the book “The Veganist”) EYE OPENER!!!! (more on The Veganist in a later blog)

My wife said a lot of it has to do with environment. True, but a lot of it has to do with making a personal DECISION, researching to find out what is good for and what is not good for you.

When making a decision to change, don’t be concerned about the past, focus on what you want to happen. Find people who will support your decision to change. Then CHANGE! I love what Brian Tracy says “Eat less, exercise more!”

The other day during my workout at LA Fitness, I did 50 setups and stretched for about 10 minutes, then off to the crunch machine. Put 110 pounds on it and did 50 crunches to really work my back and abs. Felt great.

The next day I am feeling the tightness in my abs and back. Love that feeling!

Then on Saturday, my wife and I are shopping at the Ft Ben Harrison Commissary, and I have to sneeze. Try holding it back so I don’t spray all over everything – my wife is trying to train me – but I sneeze anyway. And don’t you know it, I pull a muscle in my back. This is nuts, I think….. A simple, powerful sneeze and I pull a muscle. Go figure…

So now, I am walking around like an old man! Oh, wait, I may be an old man. Back to LA Fitness on Sunday and doing fine.

My friend Neil just published a blog about turning 44 (youngster) which brought back a memory from my past. Now Neil related his experience to marketing, because that is what he does. I relate this to some that I am more passionate about now as I prepare to turn 68, exercise and health.

Neil’s blog reminded me of an anniversary party I went to a number of years ago. Actually it was my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary. I was probably in my early 40′s.

One of the guest was a life long friend of my mother-in-law. Joy was a petite woman, very active and very out-spoken and approaching 80 years old. I always enjoyed talking with Joy because of her enthusiasm for life. Because of all the grandchildren there, we started talking about age. I asked if Joy would like to be a teen again.

“Oh, No! But I wouldn’t mind be 25 again” she replied. Then she continued “the hardest part about getting older is getting up the morning, looking in the mirror, and not recognizing the image in the mirror, because you know that that young person is still inside.”

Today I can appreciate this statement more than ever. About a year ago I experienced a gout attack and immediately made a decision (I just don’t like pain) to eat healthier, exercise more and lose some weight. In that year I have lost 25 pounds, exercise 3 times a week, and have changed to a vegetarian diet. Isn’t that what life is about – change?

This morning when I got up or rather dragged myself out of bed as I could tell I had exercised last night, but as I got moving around, I recognized that youth within, that feeling of energy, strength, and robust enthusiasm for what was ahead. Then I looked in the mirror and realized that I had more work to do, but also was enthusiastic and positive about the journey.