Health matters

Since I was became an adult, I had (UK) size 9 feet.

Until I didn't.

Changes come slowly, but soon nine was too tight, ten would do.

Then eleven.

I thought my legs were red because of a returning infection, cellulitis, but it wasn't until last year the chiropractor said it was down to poor circulation.

How easy it is to spend 8 hours a day sitting at the dining room tale, working, then my hobby is stuff online too. I became old before my time, or my lower half did.

Thanks to the restrictions during COVID, I put on more weight and I got elephant legs below my knees.

Not only were they swollen from retaining water, but the skin became very thin, meaning the slightest knock would cause a large cut with would weep for weeks, and needed careful treatment.

This came to a head in India, where when we flew back to Delhi the state of my legs and poor breathing made me really think I might not make it.

I had tests for the breathing, and that cleared up within a week of returning, but I am convinced this was a result of the temperatures, sitting down for most days and retaining even more water.

So, upon return, the need to be more active was all the more urgent, and if I am honest, the improvement in time spent in the gym has not been quick enough. Not helped by the five weeks the main gym closed. And the ineffective air conditioning on the really hot days.

It is now September. Children have gone to school. We are going to the gym more often, and for longer. And at the weekend I got thin legs back.

My walking gait is better, and the injury to me knee and ankle from last year are (mostly) a thing of the past. Jools says she has noticed how better my movement is now.

Not my youthful legs, but maybe back to the point they were six years back, thin enough so that my shoes are mostly too big now, and water is no retained swelling them back up.

I am off the booze at least two days a week now, and chocolate, bisuits and the such will be cut back. I don't think its booze per se, its wine.

Wine is so easy to drink, doubly so when its in boxes, and you just have "one more glass". A full bottle may have up to 14 units of alcahol in it, whereas a bottle of beer might only be two. Or less. I can drink most of a bottle of wine with dinner, so, best not to for a while, until I can moderate.

To wrap up. Despite the recent blood tests, I have not felt better in years. I have pain free legs, I am able to walk more, though standing is something to be worked at. My body is not retaining water, I feel a bit more flexible, and this all should spur me on to be even more active.

We shall see.