"A little light Night Ranting, please..."

[BiggJawn]

As most of you probably know, I've taken responsibility for my shitty state of health, and decided to do something about it.

I'm Diabetic, have Hypertension, I am OBESE (cut out this "plus-size" crap, 80 pounds heavy is NOT "chubby")suffer from chronic back and joint pain (ankle gets in on the show, too) and until 6 months ago, I was pack-anna-haff a day smoker....

So, I took up bicycling. And like you're supposed to do "before starting any exercise program", I asked my sawbones about it. He said go for it. No cautions, no "Maybe you should have a stress-test" no nuttin'.

Took the on-line health risk assessment my Wellness department offers, and they gave me a score of "A". I'm in "fairly good health, but we had to put your risk of diabetes at 100%" No shit? Maybe that's why I have to stick my finger twice a day and eat 5 very expensive pills a day? they cautioned that I'm at risk for Arthritis. My risk of heart disease is supposed to be low.

THEN....I pick up the current issue of "Bicycling" tonight, and hey, there's an article about cycling and Your Heart....Hmmm, here's a little 20-question "test" to see where you stand on the risk line....

OHMIGAWD! How do I even pull my 8-panel spandex shorts on, much less ride for 2 hours straight at 150 beats per minute without doing a "Jim Fixx" and dropping dead?

So what's going on here? Is "Bicycling" trying to sell copies of this author's book on heart attacks and exercise? Is my HR department trying to get me to kill myself because it's cheaper to pay off my life insurance instead of my pension?

And what's up with my Primary Care Dude? Is he burnt out, or is it that my HMO, Uh, I mean "Managed Care" plan won't pay for REAL "doctoring", and he's supposed to just push pills on me and OK my "Rascal" scooter when I'm too fat and sick to walk anymore? I think I'll call tomorrow and try to schedule a COMPLEAT physical exam....

My gut tells me I'm as healthy as an over-weight horse can be, so I don't think I'm gonna cut back on the pedalling any. Hell, I gained a 1/2 a MPH on my hourly average this week, up to 13, and I lost a pound.

Oh, and top of everything else, has Dr. Phil fucked-up enough relationships and adolescents that he's ready to start screwing with our diets now? Does Oprah follow his advice?

And why is it I've yet to meet anyone who's been on the Atkins diet who has NOT said "But I gained XX pounds back..."

<grumble>

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. Hang in there, BiggJawn...

Yeah, there's always going to be a lot of BS out there as long as people are willing to pay for it. If you don't trust your doctor, seek another opinion. It sounds to me like you're on the right track with your exercise routine because you seem comfortable with it.

Good luck!

~hugggggs~