The forbidden topic

Constipation.   No ONE wants to talk or read about this – unless you’re having problems.

Doctors prescribe drugs.  I have a client whose primary care doctor told her that it was OK to take Miralax every day.  Are you KIDDING ME?

Yesterday a client said – in passing – I think I’m constipated all the time.   Last night it hit me.  This is something we should talk about.  It’s important.

Both my mother and grandfather dealt with this and, as a teenager, I had a hemorrhoidectomy.  It was grim.  Since that time, I have had a toilet seat bidet wherever I lived.

I’m reminded of a dear client – Allie – with whom I walked and worked for 12 years – from when she was 89 to just over 100.  She had a SYSTEM.  That’s what everyone needs – a “system.”

I’m the most “regular” person I know.  But when I travel – even one night away from home – blammo, I’m stopped up.  I have a “system” to proactively and prophylactically prevent that.

If you ever get into an accident or have a procedure done and have to take pain meds – BLAMMO – you’re instantly stopped up.   You too need a “system.”

Here was Allie’s system – fine tuned to a TEE – 12 dried prunes soaked in water.  2 prunes every day for 4 days, 5 prunes on the 5^th day and 2 prunes + ½  cup of the soaked “juice” on the 7^th day.   DO NOT use this system – this was her regimen that worked for HER.   I put it here as an example of the level of thought and fine tuning that went into keeping HER regular.

My system – a very good diet with lots of fiber.   Bidet wash every morning.  My favorite herbal laxative taken when I travel.  For travel, I also carry 1 or 2 Smooth Move tea bags.

There are stool softeners, fiber/bulk additives.  I know someone who swears by coffee enemas (which I think is nuts).   With the current awareness of our microbiome, consider how you are treating your elimination system.  Consider the problem – the cause – before just taking a laxative as a fix to a symptom.

What’s your “system?”

 

Fall Recovery: How to get up from the floor

If you find yourself unexpectedly on the ground, take a moment.  Don’t get up.  Assess.

Don’t offer to help someone up who has fallen.  Encourage him/her to take a moment to assess.

Interesting video on how to get up from a fall.

Note:  When rising from floor using the step forward movement, the OUTSIDE leg should be away from the stable surface.

 

Back Health

Interesting article on back health.

Winter Hiking

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yesterday we did our first hike on Mt. Tamalpais since the rain last week.  The Fungus is AMONG US, the newts are crawling and the colors are RICH. 

As always, click on any photo to enlarge, click the back button to return to post.  The black mushrooms were a stunning discovery and a first for us.  The newt’s eyes are visible on a larger version.  Notice the pole tip for scale on the Chantrelle photo.  Enjoy and we hope to see you OTT (on the trail).

This lovely forest scene was taken after we did our big climb.  There are several trails on The Mountain that I call “Just Show Up” trails. It does not matter how fast we go, we just DO IT.    Small steps, poles pushing.  I estimate 25 to 35% assist with my poles.  When I don’t hike with poles, my legs COMPLAIN – a LOT. Happy Trails!

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Tis the Season

I will shortly be mailing out my yearly holiday letter with suggestions on gifts you can give to people you love who love the outdoors.  I hope you enjoy it.

Click on any photo to enjoy and click the back button to return to this post.  Above is Bryce, cryptobiotic crust (the desert floor) and some Utah rock.    This year’s journey to Utah State Parks was so timely and perfect that I’m opening our next journey up to AdventureBuddies (the meet up).

Above is Canyonlands:  Needles and Island in the Sky and Bryce.

The other bit of news is that I’ve joined the UC Botanic Garden and will be listing a gentle walk for the Pole Walking Meetup.  I was able to see the Maladora in bloom this year – enjoy!

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Stay Cool, Gear Up

Travelling thru Zion National Park, I saw this hat in the visitor center.  It’s yet another way to stay cool in the desert or on hot hikes:

Use the link above to search for your size and color (I love the green).
As always, anything you order via links from this blog help support quality posts. I do not take advertising, but use affiliate links (which cost you nothing). If you subscribe, you may not be able to click thru, so please go to the blog and click from there.

Shoe Insole Helps Your FEET!

My Feet, My Feet!

Hikers have FEET!  I have not used commercial insoles that come in the shoes for YEARS.  I’ve tried every insole I could find and, as I get older, my feet seem to need more help.  FINALLY, I found an insole that makes a huge difference.  I’ve been telling my hiking buddies about it and have enough people who have thanked me and raved about it, I feel I can recommend to my AdventureBuddies here:

Use the link above to search for your size. You want PowerStep Pinnacle Max. I tried the regular, but LOVE the Max.
As always, anything you order via links from this blog help support quality posts. I do not take advertising, but use affiliate links (which cost you nothing). If you subscribe, you may not be able to click thru, so please go to the blog and click from there.

Healthy Aging

To Vitamin or Not to Vitamin?

On one of my meet-up hikes, I met a retired anesthesiologist.  He told me what he had been doing (besides training for hikes and unwinding from years of administering to patients) since his retirement.  He founded and formulated a high quality vitamin designed to help active, aging bodies.

My problem with supplements is they’re not regulated.  What the heck is in them?  How do you know what/whom to trust?

I tried this vitamin regimen and feel the difference.  I’ve checked with other professionals and they agree that the formulation makes good sense.

This is a high quality formulation designed to support an active lifestyle and support aging gracefully.  At first I thought it was a little pricey, especially since I’ve previously shunned supplements.  But when I checked the cost vs. trying to purchase the ingredients separately, I realized this was a good investment in my health.    Plus they offer a 90 day, no questions asked guarantee.   So I decided I had nothing to lose and tried it.  It’s time to share with my AdventureBuddies!

More info below from their website:

The mission at Baranta Health is to formulate nutritional supplements with ingredients not readily available in our modern foods that may have benefits to augment a healthy lifestyle. The word Baranta means “Bounding” and that’s what most of our customers experience: bounding mental and physical well-being. Baranta Health supplements may provide benefits that are experiential such as increased energy, sharper focus and improved physical performance, as well as that support positive mood, promote emotional well-being  and that increase resistance to fatigue, stress & tension. Our company is committed to supporting anti-aging research through investing in joint ventures to develop nutritional products and also donating to support basic science research that leads to pharmaceutical breakthroughs for diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and cancer.

Note:  If you are getting this as a subscriber to the blog, you may not be able to use the links.  Please visit the blog and you can check out links from there.  Thank you!  www.AdventureBuddies.net/blog

Compression and Ice Speed Healing

Is this news to anyone?  Ice reduces inflammation. Why take drugs and make your kidneys and liver pay for (otherwise untreated) knee pain?  I believe that everyone should have a good ice pack at the ready!

Remember the adage:  RICE?  Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.  I’ve talked on this blog about the importance of compression and I carry a compression bandage in my hiking pack – always.  I’ve helped many a hiker with this simple, essential piece of gear.  But when I get home, it’s ice for my knee.  When I ice, I don’t hurt.  When I don’t, I often am uncomfortable the next day.  I have to remember to ice because I don’t hurt until the next day.

I’ve looked long and hard and have tried many ice packs.  I got this one recently and LOVE it.  It’s great for knees, wrists, elbows, ankles, feet (plantar fasciitis), even a shoulder.  When I first pull it out of the freezer, it’s a bit hard, but it softens quickly and stays cold longer than most.  This particular pack comes with 2 ice packs and one compression sleeve (which has a good wide compression strap.   It’s less than $3 for an additional pack making this a really good value.

Under the ice pack link is a link for a Velcro compression bandage (2 pack – one for your pack, one for home).   Compress an injury quickly (and lightly – not too tightly) to prevent swelling, reduce pain, provide support.

Lastly, don’t forget the compression bandage is in your pack – USE IT. If you can get an injury cleaned and compressed, it can make a HUGE difference. Check with your favorite medical professional or even search around the web if you’re not familiar with the benefits and methods of compression. Most medical kits I’ve looked at do not have this most essential item.

As always, order from the links on this blog.  It supports the blog and costs you nothing.  Anything you purchase after clicking thru from the blog results in a (very teeny tiny) commission – it’s called affiliate marketing and it helps support providing quality info to people who love being outside!  Thanks Hikers & Walkers!

Forest Bathing

Enhance your enjoyment of nature:

Shinrin Yoku (pronounced shin rin yo koo) is a term that means “taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing.” It was developed in Japan during the 1980s and has become a cornerstone of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine.  It’s not just for health, it’s for our relationships with nature, the type of relationships that support sustainable living.

There is space in the silence and it’s not just about us.  Others are out in nature to enjoy the stillness, the sounds, the magic.  Think Muir Woods in the morning.   Our group walks thru silently demonstrating respect for the majesty and for others (who are there for their wonder, not to be blasted with multiple, competing conversations – sounds carry).  In Shinrin Yoku, we revel in the sounds of water, birds, groaning trees in the wind, even our footfalls.

and

Komorebi (木漏れ日) (pronounced komo ray bee)  is a Japanese word that roughly translates to “sunlight shining through the leaves of trees.”  Enjoy this poem.

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