Feet!

I've recently decided that the trouble I get with my feet when standing for a while can't possibly be a result of aging, I'm not that old, or of a lifetime of wearing heels as the pains are in the wrong places. So I plucked up the nerve to go to a specialist and have been told it is plantar fasciitis. It's not the best news but it does mean that with the right exercises, better shoes when I'm not in my heels and a few sessions of ultra sound therapy I could be back to boogying the nights away in no time.


I've also discovered Ian's Shoe Lacing Methods which have enabled me to customise the way I lace my trainers and boots to ease pressure in some places and improve the degree of tightening I can achieve with my weedy girlie hands. I would definitely recommend taking a look as I doubt there are very many people who have reviewed and analysed the way they tie their shoes since the age of about 6, and this fella has done all the research you could need!
 
(I do love it when I find someone who has really developed an interest and become and expert in something a bit esoteric, makes me feel like a proper Master Of None)


I would also recommend that if you are suffering form any kind of pain or impediment, get it checked out. Perhaps your deafness is caused by wax that can easily be removed, maybe your funny shaped mole would be better removed now than in a year when it's gone nasty, or perhaps your aching feet can be treated to allow you to enjoy what you love doing again. Don't put it off, see a doctor, pharmacist or high street chiropodist! Just go. Now!!!!!

Losing weight

Losing weight is notoriously difficult. People are constantly struggling with diets and exercise plans and looking for miracle cures.
I think one of the reasons that it is such a struggle is that it is a huge commitment. You have to commit to work on it every day for what can be a considerable period of time. If it has taken four years for you to pile on a couple of extra stone (28 lbs, 11kilos) then you can expect to take a couple of years to lose it, and that's if you work hard.
You also have to be committed every day, committed to reducing your intake of inappropriate foods, committed to burning a few more calories. That takes awareness, mindfulness and focus.
Anyone who is for any reason a little below their best, whether it be a physical health problem, a mental health problem or simply a period of emotional stress or difficulty, will find it that much harder to make that daily commitment.
As well as the daily commitment there is the long term commitment, the decision to work at it over a long period of time. Anyone who is below par may find it hard to think in terms of the long game.
And then there are the days when the willpower fails, the commitment is lost or something just goes wrong. Anyone not in tip top condition may find it hard to pick themselves back up and get back on track. They may berate themselves as a failure, feel guilt at letting themselves down, feel despairing of their ability to reach their targets and may spiral back into the bad habits that got themselves where they started. Even if they do get back on track, they may find they have to work a little harder to make up for the slip up.
So next time someone you know tell you they are trying to lose weight, be supportive and positive, and be prepared to support them over a long period of time.

Have a look at this blog for more on this,

Health

It seems at the moment that I spend half my time in a hospital of some sort or another. Visiting relatives, having appointments of my own and having a pet as an in patient at the vet.
In all the human hospitals I've been overwhelmed by the temperature! I understand that convalescing patients need to be warm but the corridors don't need to be set to 'roast' surely? I would think that having public, non-clinical areas so warm might actually harbour bugs rather then be helpful and it must cost a fortune to heat hallways that are mainly used by visitors who have just come in from the cold so are all wrapped up anyway!
And the NHS needs to save more money than I can count!
I wonder if anyone who has the power to make decisions ever actually walks down these corridors?

Shopping

I'm not a fan of shopping for food, I'm not fond of cooking and I have issues with a ridiculous number of foods. So a shopping trip can be very hard work - I have to read the label on everything. All the things I like have a million calories. All the healthy stuff is either going to make me poorly or will taste like mashed tissue paper!
So I set out with good intentions, honest!, but by the time I reach aisle eleven I am usually in a bad mood and grab the first cake I come across, a couple of bottles of milk and something main coursey like a shepherds pie (if there's is no onion in it of course).
Over the next few weeks I am due to have a few hospital visits and tests that I am hoping will  begin to pin down exactly which foods I have a problem with - knowing my luck it will be milk, tea and bread!

I am a member of a few facebook groups dedicated to people with a food intolerance of some sort. The recurring theme I see on them is "no one takes the problem seriously, they think I am being picky." I've had that numerous times. But some people have even had restaurants ignore their needs, leaving them in the loos bringing up the food they just ate.
So next time someone tells you they can't eat apple or any other food, don't ignore it and don't think it will be funny to grate apple into their food!