That is so true for a lot of things they treat. Asthma, cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure... just treating the symptom. There is no money in treating the cause and finding a cure. Lots of times your body is reacting to something else and the treated thing is the reaction.
About cholesterol - if you exercise vigorously before …
That is so true for a lot of things they treat. Asthma, cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure... just treating the symptom. There is no money in treating the cause and finding a cure. Lots of times your body is reacting to something else and the treated thing is the reaction.
About cholesterol - if you exercise vigorously before getting tested your numbers will look bad. Your body releases cholesterol to deal with the inflammation associated with the strenuous exercise. My doctor did not know that. Now he does. In my town where every other person is doing the freaking Ironman they need to know!
Interesting fact about exercise. I did not know that. Not sure how to work around that - stay on the couch? seems like a bad idea.
I did have the experience several years ago when I hired my "primary care physician" (after being berated numerous times for being old and not having one). He is a pretty good guy, in his 50s, tennis player. I am physically active, always have been. Over the years it's taken a toll on joints. started weight training to compensate for bad knees (works). started doing upper body training to fill the time between leg exercises. This has worked great for my knees, as well as increased my upper body muscle mass - and I have put on weight compared to the skinny me of my 30s.
At my first visit, the doc read my weight and height and noted that according to the "guidelines" I was obese. As I took off my shirt, his PA (30-ish female) noted that I was not fat. I noted that the more I exercise, the more weight I retain, so should I stop exercising to lose weight? We all laughed.
An interesting factoid - my doctor tells me if husband does not have heart disease in his family and because he is not old (he doesn't) that even if his cholesterol ratio was not too great, he could skip meds. Which is a good thing because he won't take them. Before they took my blood this week I did not do any strenuous exercise. I rode my ebike and walked the neighborhood. No lifting or running or anything that makes me achy. We shall see if my numbers are good. Not that I will be taking statins. Ever.
My husband is like you. His BMI also puts him in the obese catergory. So ridiculous. He is a rock. He does not lift, but he exercises a LOT. If you look at him he looks maybe slightly to thin. He just does not gain weight. But obese. It is ridiculous. I have come around to thinking that if I don't look good or feel comfortable in my clothes something must be done. I tossed the scale. I think they made the categories to make people take medicines. I am 5'10" and when I was young I struggled to keep my weight around 123. Underweight. Too hungry to be happy. I think it hosed my metabolism. Now I weigh I think between 155-160. Just right for me.
You keep exercising. It will keep you alive and happy. Screw the chart.
I really think the weight training preserves joints. They are protected by strong muscles. Smart you!
I think the best metric is how you feel. Stuff that is called "healthy" that makes you feel bad can't really be good for you. It may be good for someone else (like the folks selling the drugs ;-). Several people I know who took statins found they really felt crappy - zapped their energy. That is definitely bad for you! Moving is good IMO. I always feel better when I can move. When we are out on the road I walk a lot. I try to get other exercise too, but often the most convenient is to just walk. Over the years various factors such as injuries and just wearing out parts of my body, I've changed activities and now do a lot of walking and weight training. The shift to more weights resulted in more muscle mass. Not a goal, just happened ;-). I mostly do weights to keep my knees and shoulders working so I can keep moving!
That is so true for a lot of things they treat. Asthma, cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure... just treating the symptom. There is no money in treating the cause and finding a cure. Lots of times your body is reacting to something else and the treated thing is the reaction.
About cholesterol - if you exercise vigorously before getting tested your numbers will look bad. Your body releases cholesterol to deal with the inflammation associated with the strenuous exercise. My doctor did not know that. Now he does. In my town where every other person is doing the freaking Ironman they need to know!
Interesting fact about exercise. I did not know that. Not sure how to work around that - stay on the couch? seems like a bad idea.
I did have the experience several years ago when I hired my "primary care physician" (after being berated numerous times for being old and not having one). He is a pretty good guy, in his 50s, tennis player. I am physically active, always have been. Over the years it's taken a toll on joints. started weight training to compensate for bad knees (works). started doing upper body training to fill the time between leg exercises. This has worked great for my knees, as well as increased my upper body muscle mass - and I have put on weight compared to the skinny me of my 30s.
At my first visit, the doc read my weight and height and noted that according to the "guidelines" I was obese. As I took off my shirt, his PA (30-ish female) noted that I was not fat. I noted that the more I exercise, the more weight I retain, so should I stop exercising to lose weight? We all laughed.
An interesting factoid - my doctor tells me if husband does not have heart disease in his family and because he is not old (he doesn't) that even if his cholesterol ratio was not too great, he could skip meds. Which is a good thing because he won't take them. Before they took my blood this week I did not do any strenuous exercise. I rode my ebike and walked the neighborhood. No lifting or running or anything that makes me achy. We shall see if my numbers are good. Not that I will be taking statins. Ever.
My husband is like you. His BMI also puts him in the obese catergory. So ridiculous. He is a rock. He does not lift, but he exercises a LOT. If you look at him he looks maybe slightly to thin. He just does not gain weight. But obese. It is ridiculous. I have come around to thinking that if I don't look good or feel comfortable in my clothes something must be done. I tossed the scale. I think they made the categories to make people take medicines. I am 5'10" and when I was young I struggled to keep my weight around 123. Underweight. Too hungry to be happy. I think it hosed my metabolism. Now I weigh I think between 155-160. Just right for me.
You keep exercising. It will keep you alive and happy. Screw the chart.
I really think the weight training preserves joints. They are protected by strong muscles. Smart you!
I think the best metric is how you feel. Stuff that is called "healthy" that makes you feel bad can't really be good for you. It may be good for someone else (like the folks selling the drugs ;-). Several people I know who took statins found they really felt crappy - zapped their energy. That is definitely bad for you! Moving is good IMO. I always feel better when I can move. When we are out on the road I walk a lot. I try to get other exercise too, but often the most convenient is to just walk. Over the years various factors such as injuries and just wearing out parts of my body, I've changed activities and now do a lot of walking and weight training. The shift to more weights resulted in more muscle mass. Not a goal, just happened ;-). I mostly do weights to keep my knees and shoulders working so I can keep moving!
Do what works for you and keeps you going!