Diary of a Common Cold

They say I'll last only 7-10 days.  We'll see about that.  This old dude is about to be beat down by one nasty creature.  60 somethings only get on average 1 cold a year.  Maybe this will be his last or maybe he'll make it.  Stay tuned.

12/19/2009: The host did a recovery 6 mile run followed by a "Sports" massage.  Later that day Grandson number 2 who is 14 months sneezed in host's face.  The cute little guy is a Day Care junkie and chronic carrier of God only knows how many bugs, viruses, and plagues.   His father claims the child plus his brother are the cause of most of the world's medical crises.  Until now the host has smugly denied this as HE had not been affected.  He is in superior condition as described by the Cooper Institute.  His stress test is stamped "superior" and he has a t-shirt that says so!  While Father was chronically sick, Grandfather who held the same child, cleaned the same noses was somehow insulated from disease.  At least until tomorrow.

12/20/2009: Host woke with a "slight" headache.  Temples on both sides were tender to touch.  Perhaps these will become the "Temples" of virus Doom.  Undeterred, host proceeded to the gym to perform at a high if not somewhat reduced intensity.  A workout of about 1400 calories, put a tiny crack in his immunity.  A tiny crack is all a virus needs to enter and overwhelm the immune system.  Host notices sore throat in the early evening, and thinks, "Oh, this is not a good thing."  He starts sucking on Chloraseptic Throat Lozenges.

12/21/2009: Host wakes to headache, sore throat, aches, and lots of sinus congestion.  The mucus Army is doing it's job, to wash that nasty viruses like us from the mucus membranes in the nose, mouth and throat.  There is no "cure" for viral infections.  The only defense is the body's immune system, the white blood cell army.  The battle is on, virus attacks, white blood cells rush to the area, and mucus is produced to wash away the virus.  The Host is engaged in a full fledged war.

12/22/2009: A virus exists for one reason, to multiply.  This isn't some casual sexual affair, or monagamous relationship.  No, this is full-time in your face (no pun intended)full  frontal nudity all the time, all out multiplication.  It's most active at night because body temperature and heart rate drops.  The body of the host resists by raising the body temperature to fight the fight.  A low grade fever is the result and is natural.  Efforts to reduce the temperature above 102 are well founded, but taking aspirin to reduce a low grade fever is thought to be counter productive and even dangerous.

On this day the host is missing the endorphines from working out and despite being a little tired decides to take a 1 hour walk that turns into 1 1/2 hours.  Although he feels better afterwards, the net result is that the virus will make him pay that night.

5:00 am: What day is this?  We're busy at work and this dumb shit is rinsing us with saline rinse!  Oh, yuck.  He's washing away all that rotting nasty green mucus along with thousands of our virus friends.  It's going to take more than 30 rinses to get rid of us, so rinse on you sorry son of a bitch!  We got more pain coming, revenge for the destruction of our brothers!  He's also using a 50/50 mix of water and hydrogen peroxide to rinse his mouth to fix the mouth sores.  This shouldn't be done for more than 3-4 times a day for 3 days.  Hopefully, he'll OD on peroxide!

Viruses are superior to Bacteria because bacteria can be killed by anti-biotics.  Viruses are destroyed by acid, heat, and white blood cells.  Mucus washes us away to be spit out or decompose in stomach acid.  Many Doctors prescribe anti-biotics in the mistaken belief that they will help a cold.  They don't.  In fact, over-prescribing of anti-biotics is resulting in a strain of super anti-biotic resistance bacteria.  Create a cocktail of those little devils with a few of my virus friends and you got the hospital or perhaps in our dreams the city morgue in sight.

5:30 am: Host is back to sleep.  We never sleep.....

12/23/2009:  Host must alter his normal sleep position to elevate his head.  Otherwise he feels like he is suffocating.  Naturally, this affects his neck, shoulders, and back which contributes nicely to the overall misery.  The pictures of the mucus concentrations in his sinus cavities demonstrated the sheer quantity of mucus being produced.  We sure know how to make this poor bastard miserable.  Between sore throat, swelled tender glands, mouth sores, plugged sinus cavities, and sore muscles it's not wonder he screamed, "JUST STICK A KNIFE IN MY HEAD!" at 1 am.  Poor bastard, LOL!  Did that make him feel better, no, we think not.

Fever helps destroy us, but the host thinks he's getting worse.  Fact is that his immune system is working all out, 24/7.  Host feels exhausted, but all of his energy needs to be directed to getting rid of us before we kill him.  Ideally, he ignores the signs, takes all kinds of meds to cover up the syptoms which are in truth is his immune system at work.  We hope he eats poorly, goes out in the cold, gets little rest, and stops that aweful saline cleanse.  Go get drunk or something!  Once we get past his nose and throat we head for the vitals...his heart, kidneys, etc.  Once we attach to his heart we can do serious damage and make him a more receptive host.

12/24/2009: We think we'll let him feel "better" so he can contribute to our victory.  The sore throat won't be so sore for a few hours.  We're just taking a short term break waiting for nightfall.  More postnasal drip, sorethroat, headache, etc. etc. etc.  Oh, look at that nasty green gunk our host is coughing up.  The books say that's not good.  We hope not!

12/25/2009:  Ah,Christmas is here.  It's the perfect storm of the Common Cold world.  We couldn't have planned this better.  We have an opportunity to make history.  Nobody skips Christmas because of a "common cold" especially with cute huggable snot and virus infested Grandchildren.  Perhaps he will bring home one of our cousins and together we will nail him higher to the misery cross.  He'll help us by eating all the sugary stuff he lays those weepy eyes on!  Sugar you see causes inflammation, which will make him feel MORE congested.  Perhaps his head will explode and gets us in the Viral history books!

Kids with runny noses are like candy to us.  They rock our world.  They get us.  First, they have weak immune systems since they've never seen our kind before.  They get us several times a year until their bodies develop their own defenses.  Second, they are natural transmitters.  They have no idea how to deal with snot, not a clue.  They scream at the sight of Kleenex.  We love whatever  instinct commands them to rub their fists across a running nose and then rub that fist in their eyes?  Another favorite is the "hug me Grandma because I want to rub my runny nose on your new Santa sweater."  We teach them how to sneeze just at the right time.  BAM!  Right into Grandpa's eyes!  Yes, we are good.

All that Christmas cheer makes for a night from hell for the host.

12/26/2009 Black Saturday: Just when the poor misearble bastard thought things were getting better we start the throat tickle.  That's the one where he puts his head on the pillow and just can't help but cough.  This is not just the routine clear your throat cough.  No.  This cough originates at the bottom of the souls of his feet.  This cough pulls a stomach muscle.  There's NO WAY he's going to sleep without help.  He gets it from a raised head, Ricola, a lemon juice/mineral water concoction.

Ricola?  Who's the SOB that invented that stuff.  We want to infest him/her!  It helps calm the tickle long enough for him to get some rest, which is the great natural healer.

12/27/2009: We hate Mexican food. :-(  How can he eat that salty crap?  Between the Mexican food, saline rinses, Ricola, lemon juice, mineral water, and turning up the heat at night to at least 72 degrees things are not looking up for me and my friends.  Host is able to smell odors which indicates that the inflammation is contained in the lower sinus region.

12/28/2009: WE are feeling defeated.  Host wakes up today and decides he's going to the gym and sit in the Sauna.  Sauna!?!  We hate Saunas!  They raise the body temperature high enough to destroy us.  Hope he falls asleep and dreams he's on a George Foreman grill.  Doesn't he know he shouldn't go out in public with that Godfather voice?

Our days are numbered but the ride was fun!

12/29-30/2009: Slight sore throat in the morning and tickle in throat with slight cough.  Resuming workouts, but lower intensity.  Sauna and steam room after.  Nose is clear.  Able to smell odors.  Sinuses very clear during spinning class....breathing only through nose on the inhale during 80% max. heart rate work.

Nasal polyps, Windpipe bulge

posted May 2007

I seldom take a good rest without it being because of injury or illness.

I haven't worked out since Monday (5 days ago). Planned a rest week, but was going to be more active. All I've done is walk slowly for 20-30 minutes.

Exercise and diet might help my sinus issues, but the fact is I still have major problems with polyps. Mucus production is very high right now.

After 9 days the neck issue has cleared...at least it doesn't hurt when lying on my right side (weird because the pain is only felt on the left side.) I might have pulled a small muscle deep in my neck when trying to breath through my nose and exhale out the mouth.

Saw a couple of Docs this week to get opinion on the neck. Both recommended a CAT scan of the soft tissue. One did a scope down the throat and saw a "bulge" which might explain the pressure I feel on the windpipe when I take a deep breath. That has subsided. Same Doc wants me to go on Antibiotics, which don't work for polyps. He said he had trouble getting through my sinuses to my throat with the camera due to polyps. I've had them removed 3 times in my life and they always come back. Flonase helps to reduce inflammation when it's at the worst. I may be dairy and gluten intolerant, but not sure. When in Texas last spring...I felt great...no congestion.

Increased my suppliments (probiotics) to stablize good bacteria in stomach. Also, taking more enzemes prior to meals. Using Flonase until I can smell clearly, which means polyps have shrunk.

I need to shrink these polyps. They will destroy bone structure over time and that is impossible to replace. This hasn't been right in years. I've tried every med and non-med solution known and still I suffer with this. IT MUST STOP!

When to rest?

posted over 2 years ago

Starting to feel a little run down...enthusiasm declined a bit this week. Today started with a "don't know what I'm going to do except spin." Ended with a smart move to eliminate a couple of chest/arm exercises because I'm feeling sore. Focused instead on quads and hamstrings. Did a personal best squat of 250 lbs. 6 repetitions (good form 3,1,1 tempo) followed by 120 lb. leg curls X 6.

Total Calories for the day: 1050

Sinus Problem Gone

posted April 2007

For almost one month I was beginning to doubt my sinuses would improve. I desperately used Afrin nasal spray, flonase, and finally antihistamines to get rid of what started as a minor sore thoat and ended up as chronic inflammation and sinus congestion. I couldn't breath out of my nose. I couldn't smell the worst odors, and I couldn't taste much of anything. It was depressing!

I had not used anti-histamines in almost 3 years!

I floss my teeth with a mint floss. I could NOT taste the mint.

Finally after a week of anti-histimines and flonase my nose started to clear. All the while I had been using "sinu rinse" to "FLUSH" the mucuss from my nose. The "material" was greenish crap that seemed to have no end!

NOW I can smell and taste again 99.9% without anti-biotics which is the VERY first thing the Doc would have prescribed. I continue to "rinse" my nose 2-3 times a day, but have stopped all meds.

Feeling really good!

posted over 2 years ago

Starting to smell odors (good and bad!)....

Today was just a normal recovery day (580 calories). Yamuna for 25 minutes, 45 minute walk at 4.5 mph 5 degrees, some core and stretching 15 minutes.

I tapered off this week trying to eliminate aches and pains. Those back to back double workouts are too much for me, especially when I try to up the weights each week.

Tomorrow is spinning...will do no more than 40 minutes at 85% MHR versus the usual 93% or so.

Have to decide whether to rest next week or start phase I golf or do Colgan hardcore for 3-4 weeks prior to medicine ball/plyometrics.

Lactose Intolerant?

Spinning and Legs

posted over 2 years ago

Last day of phase 6 and it was leg blast day. Spinning am and leg work out after an 1 1/2 hour break. All moving parts still functioning. Nose is still stuffy, but better at the moment (flonase is kicking in).

I'm really starting to wonder if I'm lactose in tolerant. Trying to take an enzime before meals to help.

Still having itches at night for past 2 weeks coinciding with sinus problems. Small hives....

Phase 6 Aches update

posted March 2007

Since last post:

Monday: Spinning AM; Chest/Back/Core routine PM
Tuesday: Combined Legs/Cardio
Wednesday: Recovery
Thursday: Combined Chest/Back/Cardio
Friday: Spinning AM; Legs PM
Sat: Recovery

Totals about 4500 calories burned in the week.

My weight and strength have increased. Bodyfat staying around 14.5%. Last weight 186.6.

Dead lift one time 270 lbs. (did 10 reps of 190 x 3 sets)
One arm row: 65 x 6
Push ups: 15 quality x 3 sets
Pull ups: 3 sets of 3 plus 160 lb. on lat pull down machine.

Aches and pains inventory:
1. L. hip is ok now that I cut back on the running on Tues and Thurs. AND stopping the contra one arm one leg row (do on bench)
2. R. knee a little tight. Could be the new nike Frees...Was fine on Tues after slight injury doing deadlifts on Friday. Tweaked it again and felt nothing until Thursday am. May have been after walking 45 minutes with Nike Frees.
3. Nose still congested...can't smell much...99% gone. :-(
4. R. & L elbow tender after massage therapist put extra pressure after chest/back workout. Got to watch that!
5. Both quads are tight and small muscles around r knee are tight. Not unusual 48 hours after leg workout!
6. Not sleeping that well. Pain not the issue, the nose is.....Data A averaging around 20 mins. the last 8 days after an 8 day run of 26 minutes....
7. Looking forward to rest after next Thursday.

Didn't do cold plunge on Wednesday. Thought being that the cold could aggravate the nose. Didn't notice much difference in congestion. Muscles are a bit more sore on Thursday.

Recovering from illness and Inflammation

posted January 2007

Last weekend developed a sore throat, then runny nose, which disrupted sleep and reduced sense of smell. By Xmas throat and drippy had cleared without meds. Ate more yogurt and took probiotics. Tonight my nose just plugged up like glue (like the bad old days) AND I noticed "other" inflammation after eating chinese and some pecans, cashews, and pistacios roasted in oil. 3 hours after dinner nose is fine again.

Nutrition has changed, but no dramatic differences in food...other than a couple of pieces of pie, some chinese food (steamed chicken and veggies with some exotic sauce).

Wonder if the slightest changes in my diet bring this on. It's a reminder to maintain my eating discipline and to beware of "exotic" sauces....

Sinus continued

Christmas 2005

Includes a couple of walks at SLOW speed. Beautiful Christmas eve day called for a 1/2 hour walk outside. Cold enough to get my nose flowing...still not as bad as the OLD days when I couldn't breath. However, cannot smell odors except the STRONGEST perfumes. Some dryness in the nose...maybe starting to clear up. Christmas will bring another "rest" day.

Sinus issues

posted January 2006

540 calories 45 minutes on tread mill. Trying to run on balls of feet mixed with walking. Men who live forever article about a tribe in the mountains of Mexico who run with MINIMAL foot protection because they run on the balls of their feet. Supposed to reduce energy used and injuries. Less jarring to run on balls rather than heel strike.

Day after felt tightness in shins.

Sinuses were bad, drippy nose, but no headache and sore throat is gone, just a little congestion in chest. Can still breath out of nose. This is the worst my sinuses have been in 11 months. No meds....YET!

December 2009 another Sinus infection?

Having similar problems after bout with sore throat and headache... Started eating cashews/pecans/walnut/macadamia nut mix about the same time. So I stopped that mix. Sore throat from Friday afternoon until Monday evening, plus headache and bodyaches. Headache since Friday, but it eased up until Monday morning. No workouts since Friday which was a hard day. (1400 calories weights then spin)

But could this be just your average viral cold?  Starting to think this is just your common cold (caused by virus).

Virus attaches itself to mucus membranes in mouth, nose, and throat.  Immune system response causes, low grade fever (high body temp destroys virus), swelling of mucus membranes as white blood cells are released to fight virus.  The extra blood in the membranes causes them to swell causing stuffiness and sore throat.

Very few people get colds in the summer due to higher temps.  Sauna and steam rooms might help kill viruses.  Decongestants don't do anything accept make us more comfortable, but the mucus needs to flow to get rid of the virus.  Anti-histamines might help if part of the problem is an allergic reaction to other foreign allergens.

"When you see green mucus when you cough or sneeze, you are seeing a sign of where your body is at in the process. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), green mucus actually appears near the end of the illness because the healthy bacteria found in parts of the body, such as the nose, are starting to grow back and is sometimes present in the mucus being expelled from the body. On the other hand, yellow mucus tends to appear when the immune system starts fighting back against the invader by throwing its entire arsenal at the virus or bacteria. Clear mucus is most common during the first parts of the illness as your body tries to wash away the invader."

Cooper Clinic Physical Results 10/2009

October 2009:
Weight 181
Height 6'2"
MDCT Scan 0 calcium
Total Cholesterol 206
HDL 89
LDL 101
Ratio: 2.3
Triglyceride 73
Glucose: 93
PSA: .40
Vitamin D: 47
CRP (C-reactive protein): .16
Bodyfat 14.5%
BP pre-stress test 110/67
25 minute stress test at 3.3 MPH grade from 0 to 25 ("Superior")
(record for 60 year old is 31 minutes)
Maximum heart rate 179; Peak BP 164/57
Recovery: 34 in one minute...(dropped from 179 to 145)
Bone Density: Spine normal, hips show bone loss (starting 1000 mg. calcium per day)

Dematologist scan showed no skin cancer, but several "pre-cancer spots" were treated with Nitrogen. Two molds removed... both tested benign.

Tooth Ache

posted  February 2009

More accurately, Jaw ache, same issue as last summer. Started taking anti-biotic again. I hate this stuff, but here are the options:

1. Take anti-biotic and hope it helps my body's defenses kill of the infection at the base of the root.
2. Surgery to clean the infections, clip off the tip of the root, and risking nerves in my face at risk.
3. Do nothing and be in pain not to mention the loss of bone as the infection feeds on my skull.....hmmm will pass on that one.

Symptoms also include facial pain, and increase mucus in throat in nose.

Just when I was feeling really good...DAMN!

Took the anti-biotic...felt better in 3 days.

Discussed with local Dentist and main one in Michigan..decided to have tooth pulled and replaced with a dental implant.

This is a 9 month process. Part 1: pull tooth, remove infected bone and tissue, add bone graft, seal it up with stitches then wait 4 months. Part 2: add titanium post, then wait for 4 months to take hold. Part 3: Have porcelain tooth installed. Then live beyond the porcelain's life expectancy 30 years.

Part 1 took 1 1/2 hours in the chair and was a could be expected. Next day I'm sore but no worse than the tooth/Jaw ache last week.

The tooth root was cracked according to the Dentist (proved later to be true). That's why the infection was chronic.

Unable to "exercise for 4 days...light jog only on Friday. Will see.

Picture: Day 7 after tooth extraction plus bone transplant:

[caption id="attachment_216" align="alignleft" width="800" caption="6 days after tooth removal"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_218" align="alignleft" width="800" caption="Tissue healed Bone Graft"][/caption]

2 week anniversary and jaw aches at times is fine at others...strange. Still some stitches remain, but everything looks fine according to Doc.. ie. not infections around tooth.

Within 4 weeks the transplanted bone was covered with new tissue. In a month I'll have a titanium transplant (false root) which will secure a false tooth. The jaw infection seems to be gone with no side effects.

7 weeks and I sometimes forget that the tooth is gone! A sharp pumpkin seed is quick to remind.

$5000 on the way to becoming the $6 million dollar man....titanium implant installed 2 weeks ago. Oozing stopped in 3 days. Never took pain meds.. (vicadin prescribed) no Motrin...just Ice the first day. Two weeks later it feels great.

[caption id="attachment_215" align="alignleft" width="800" caption="Day of Implant"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_217" align="alignleft" width="800" caption="Implant"][/caption]

As of 11/1/2009 This was a long process, but now I don't even think about it when I chew.... Feels like the real thing!

Update: Implant took hold and new crown in place...starting to forget this is a fake permanent tooth. It handles raw almonds no problem!

Picture of finished crown to follow later!

Allergic Reaction

posted December 1, 2009

Today I discovered why my sinuses have been "acting up" for the last 40 days. One of my supplement DGL contains MILK! This is a supplement that is supposed to aid digestion and was suggested to me several years ago. It comes in a couple of forms...raw, and flavored. The RAW contains no dairy. The "chocolate mint" contains flavoring derived from MILK. The containers are almost identical.

Almost two years ago I eliminated dairy, milk casein, whey etc. from my diet after reading that "dairy" is a primary cause of sinus problems. 3 days after QUITTING dairy I could smell odors.

I've had nasal polyps removed 3 times, nasal surgery, countless other medications and trips to the Doctor. I've taking reams of anti-biotics. NOTHING gave me long term relief until I QUIT dairy.

Will see how quitting DGL does to improve my sinus issues!

Update: December 6, 2009

Day 5 and I'm feeling great...unbelievable. The Doctor wanted to put me on anti-biotics and medral pak (steroids). Did neither! Just stopped the DGL which I think I'll never take again even if they guarantee me that there's no dairy in the non-flavored one!

I called the company and asked why would they put dairy in a supplement for digestive health??!! They said because people didn't like the taste. Fact is both products taste like crap..... They put me through hell and it makes me angry to think about it, but I'm also very happy to be feeling normal again....can smell and taste again....SWEET!

Update: 1/4/2009: Had new test and discovered sensitivity to SOY and EGG....UGH! Soy is especially negative so I'm quitting immediately. The good news is that my lower intestines have healed completely! That means I'm absorbing nutrients "normally." The elimination of soy creates many issues...several of my supplements contained soy. A real surprise was that a supplement prescribed by Doctor contains milk, wheat.... Dairy is the single biggest problem. I've carefully reviewed my diet and removed all soy containing foods and supplements.

Egg is another story. I've cut out 75% of eggs from my diet. The only ones left are from "egg protein" and a small amount in my quinoa muffins.

Results so far indicate improvements in sinus issues. My sinus passages are much better than usual.

sinus-movie

Sinus Control Diet

posted over 2 years ago

Breakfast:

Burrito: Egg White omelette with diced red peppers and smoked turkey on whole wheat tortillas with 1 tbs natural peanut butter spread on tortillas.

1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/2 tbs natural peanut butter, 5 pecan halves, 1/3 cup blueberries, 1 tbs crushed flaxseeds, chocolate soy milk for cereal.

Lunch: (post workout shake) 3 oz water, 7 oz chocolate Soy milk, one scoop chocolate egg white protein powder, 1/2 cup frozen strawberries, 1/2 cup ice, 1 tbs pumpkin seeds, 1 tbs crushed flaxseeds, 1 tbs flaxseed oil, 5 gr L-glutamine.

Snack: 1/2 green or red pepper, cherry tomatoes, or other fresh veggies, 1 tbs peanut butter, 10 almonds, 10 pecans, 2 hardboiled eggs.

optional snack: 10 almonds, 10 pecans, medium green apple, ThinTastic, Odwalla Super Protein Bar, or similar (no glutens/ reduced sugar)

Dinner: 5-6 oz. of grilled or baked chicken with Bragg Liquid Aminos seasoning spray, 1/4 cup quinoa grain, steamed veggies, 20 pecan halves.

10 pm snack: tuna (packed in water 4 oz), 1/4 diced peppers, 1/2 stick of celery diced, 1 tbs of pumpkin seeds, 6 pecan halves, 1 hardboiled egg, 4 oz of V8 low sodium juice. Dump it all in a soup bowl.

This is about 3200 calories of food which is too much for most people. I average about 800 calories per day in exercise.

Sinus Survival

SINUS Update

posted over 2 years ago

Read the book "Sinus Survival" and started the food type elimination diet based on the likelihood of a Candida type fungus infection. Also listened to a lecture by a Doctor about the Metabolic clinic at local Hospital. The diet consists of NO dairy, no fruit, no processed sugar, no bread, no vinegar, no tofu.

I modified to eat about 1 1/2 servings of fruit (breakfast and lunch only). Took out tofu from Tuna. No DAIRY at all.

Beside the diet, I did sinus rinse (sinu cleanse) 3 times a day with one bottle PER nostril. After about 10 days my sense of smell returned and after 14 days the mucus is clear (NO green stuff!) This indicates all infection is gone. I can breath through my nose only, although when I run I cannot breath through my nose totally...ie. can't get enough air.

This is a huge improvement. NOT happy with the diet though. I will try to introduce more fruit in another week, and perhaps some gluten.

The Metabolic doctor said that dairy is usually the problem for chronic sinus sufferers.

Currently taking only my supplements, no meds, and rinsing with one bottle am and pm. After rinse, holding head upside down to allow drainage...surprising how much water collects in lower sinus passages!

Overall, this is huge for me.....

Impact of No Dairy

posted over 2 years ago

Completely recovered from whatever caused me to lose 7 pounds last week. Some of that come from the candida diet....with reduced fruit and no yogurt or cheese. Have upped calorie count eating more eggs, nuts, chicken, veggies. I'm NOT fond of losing weight that fast.....it means I've lost muscle too! But need to do this diet to rid myself of candida fungus and its effects. Will do this until vacation on 3-21 then we'll see results.

Recovery day today after two intense training days. 550 Calories burned, 2508 for 3 days.

Monday did spinning, rest, than plyometrics (medicine ball against wall) then strength. 1100 calories

Tuesday, plyometrics, core strength, rest, then interval training. Heart rate was 174 at maximum with some reserve. I was surprised at that! Did 4 sprints the length of a basketball court and back in about 27 seconds. Goal is 20....the first leg was quick but I was grinding by the 4th leg. Then slow job to get heart rate down to 159 or less then 4 more sprints. Sprint, jog, sprint, jog, sprint...then 3 minute recovery. Do 3 sets of these after 5 minute warm up jog and end with 5 minute warm down. 860 Calories.

Start spinning instruction on Friday with a team teach.

Sinus Problems

MUCUS Machine...

posted February 2007 update in March

For years I've suffered with chronic sinus disease. For a time I couldn't breathe at all through my nose. If someone covered my mouth I would have suffocated. I developed sleep apnea as a result of the softening of my soft pallet due to constant drainage.

The suffering continued with peaks and valleys despite surgery to fix a deviated septum, 3 surgeries to remove nasal polys, allergy shots, steroid shots, and meds on top of meds (anti-biotics 3-4 x's a year). We spent a fortune on furnace filters, hardwood floors, cleaning and more cleaning. NONE of this allowed me to smell odors or taste foods on a consistent basis. All I could do is breath more clearly and when I "caught a cold" I could not breathe through my nose.

I've been a walking MUCUS machine for years. It's been better as a result of eating healthier, and exercise, but still far from normal.

I'm reading a book called "Sinus Survival." The book is an ALL OUT assault on chronic sinus disease and all of it's players (nasal polyps). After taking the "Candida Assessment" I believe I have a fungal infection which CANNOT be treated with anti-biotics. Before taking seriously dangerous meds like anti-fungal pills I'm going the holistic route.

Some of the symptoms include nasal drainage, muscle aches, tingling in hands, GI problems (bloating, gas, cramps), rashes, etc. I have them all.

Holistic weapons include a low sugar (no refined, very low fruit), low fermentation diet (bread, vinegar, pickles, mustard, yogurt, dairy), no/minimal glutens, saline nasal rinse 2/3 x's per day, exercise, lots of water. Also a series of anti-Candida supplements such as caprylic acid to kill the fungus in the GI and psyllium and bentonite to detox the colon.

I'm already doing the water and exercise and most of the diet, but will have to eliminate things like dairy (yogurt, milk), and gluten carbs (bread, protein bars, potatoes), and severely reduce sugar. Fruit will be the big issue for me, as I crave only fruit and the protein bars, which are the largest sources of fruit for me. Sugar is really rare in primative diets and it helps to maintain the fungus in the GI.which is the cause of my physical symptoms. Products with dairy and gluten also promote the growth of the fungus.

These foods will be reintroduced in 3 weeks, but I'll be have about 3/4 cup of fruit (blueberries and tart cherries) per day and one small apple in the beginning. I've eliminated dairy (soy milk and rice protein only) altogether and reduced glutens (no bars, and one piece of bread for breakfast).

Can eat veggies, nuts (natural peanut butter), lean meat (no reds). This is my punishment for not "liking" veggies as a kid! BUT it's all worth it to be able to breath and sleep normally.

Update: 3/14 Lost 7 pounds last week. NOT happy about that, but I'm feeling good otherwise! Nose is clear...breathing only through nose. Started this anti-Candida diet on Monday. Able to smell, but still rinsing green mucus from nose with saline rinse 2 or 3 times a day. Flonase 1x per day.

Sick

posted spring 2006

If it isn't one thing then it's food poisoning! Woke up several times with stomach issues Thurs am. Slept for nearly 14 hours. HR was elevated to 88 (normal would be 56) just sitting up in bed, but didn't check temp until 7 pm and it was 96.7. Very achy, but not acting like the flu (no high temp). Cancelled massage...damn! No spinning on Friday. Just hanging out. Will try again on Monday......

Rinsing sinuses 2-3x's a day with saline. Still some infection there