Health

I can say, hand on heart, that my lifestyle over the last twelve months has been the healthiest by some margin since my mid teens. It is also true that I’ve been in poor health over the last year, the worst since my teens. What does one make of that? A scientist would seek evidence of change to guide their study into my health. As such, a scientist would note that my best years of health, from 15 to 47, were also the years I smoked cigarettes. Perhaps a scientist might campaign for their distribution on the NHS as a remedy to common ailments. Or perhaps not. But don’t laugh at the idea that nicotine might have health benefits too hard.

I haven’t smoked a single ciggie in 2020. I’ve exercised a lot more. I’ve been eating more healthily. And hopefully, once my current digestive ailment is formally diagnosed (ulcerative colitis seems likely at the moment) and treatment is provided, I will reap the rewards in 2021. I will continue the good work of this year. But I do see room for improvement. This article in the Times was rather interesting. I have always defaulted to running when it comes to exercise, but my knees are no longer up to it. My hips are beginning to protest too. On my next visit to the gym I shall set up several different workouts to replace the single workout I currently do.

I think I will ditch the treadmill entirely. This is a bit of a shame, because the treadmills look out of the windows across picturesque woodland. But I’m better off spending my time on rowing machines and other non-impact cardio machines. I’m going to increase my current resistance machine workouts too. I have been doing a small number of reps over the last few months, and I do believe I detect a chest muscle attempting to burst into life. I swim several kilometres a week too, which must be quite good.

Needless to say, I will continue my walks with Mrs P. We have also taken to popping vitamins each day too. I was downing a single 1000iu Vitamin D tablet, chiefly because that it has been suggested that Vit D is important in combatting the coronavirus. The article suggests that the D3 variety is better than the D2 and that 4000iu a day is safe. I’ve checked my packet of Vit D tablets. They are the D3 type and I’ve doubled my consumption. I’m assuming I will also get some Vitamin D in my natural diet, so perhaps taking four tablets a day would be unnecessary. I assume so.

It is my diet where there is undoubtedly most room for improvement. On the plus side, Mrs P cooks good, healthy food at home. But I snack. A lot. And when I snack, the word ‘healthy’ would not describe any of the products I plough my way through. I am slim from top to bottom with the exception of a fat belly. It’s been there years, a consequence of too many mince pies, drowned in double cream. It must go. It will go.

But life is never simple, is it? I’ve been looking at how I could improve my diet with two factors in mind – my belly and ulcerative colitis. Needless to say, the best way to remove fat from my belly involves foods that are not recommended for sufferers of ulcerative colitis. Because, of course not. Still, I am on the path and heading in the right direction. It may be true that the last twelve months have not been my happiest, health wise. But there is light at the end of the tunnel.