Back to Basics in My Fifties

Exercising for good health

I started this blog when I was in my mid thirty's and struggling with hypertension.  If you would rummage through my posts, you'd see that a lot of it are about my running escapades and then dabbling a bit on swimming.  Of course, what's a health blog without touching on nutrition and fitness in general?  I remember those DIY exercises that I actually do in the office when I had time to spare or when I was simply bored and want some physical activities.  I was so active back then.  I had goals to achieve.

The Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC): A World-Class Philippine Dental Center

Tooth extraction, tooth fillings, root canal... these are some of the worst nightmares of most people.  Some people would even endure the pain rather than go through these procedures.  The mere mention of going to the dentist is already a cringe-factor to some people.  Thankfully, I have only personally experienced the first two procedures and I live in an age when anesthesia was already discovered long ago.  I guess, having my mom accompany me to the dentist when I was a kid also helped.  Still, I get that unsettling, nervous feeling sometimes when anything has to involve using needles and something used to pull teeth, which I think is a normal reaction.

Writing Is Good For Your Health

My Planner and Journal

I've always considered writing as just a form of expression and partly a hobby.  But whether you're a writer/blogger or simply someone who keeps private journals, I'm sure you have found out already about writing's therapeutic benefits.  

I've always been an introvert and so I mostly kept journals when I was much younger.  I don't easily open up to people, but I could easily open up my heart to pen and paper and just write away in total abandon, not thinking about anyone's opinion or judgment.  So in some ways, the journal is like a best friend who can keep your innermost thoughts safe...that is until your sibling finds your journal and starts to quote things from the entries.  Arrrggggh!

The Case of the Injured Knee

The plan was to resume running tomorrow at Luneta Park.  I've been on Christmas break for almost three weeks, and although I didn't binge much, I didn't exercise much either.  In effect, I gained a few pounds hehehe.  I needed to shed off some of those pounds as well as go back to my running routine to prepare for the upcoming Condura Marathon on February 1.  

That was the plan until yesterday morning, I took a tumble down a flight of stairs, and my plan tumbled down as well.  Well okay not a whole flight of stairs.  I think I started falling right at the second stair step before the landing.  I was bounding down the stairs, already running late for work.  Next thing I knew, my right knee hit the stair step and then I fell completely on the landing.  I got up quickly, bags still in my hands but the flashlight took a tumble all the way down to the second flight of stairs.  I thought it was a funny incident and I was actually laughing to myself at my clumsiness, secretly hoping no one saw me do the unexpected acrobatics.  I brushed off dust on my jeans from where I hit my knee, and then limping slightly, I walked all the way to the office, a little bit slower than my usual pacing.  It's a 3-minute walk brisk walk for me, but no brisk walking just then.

PLAE On Promoting Epilepsy Awareness

More than a month ago, on the week of September 1 to 6, the Philippine League Against Epilepsy (PLAE) held a National Epilepsy Awareness week which culminated with a Tripartite Symposium for Neurologists discussing Marijuana in Epilepsy, one of the emerging issues in the treatment of epilepsy. The following day, the Epilepsy Exemplar Awards was held in recognition of the people who excelled in their professions or schools despite suffering from this condition.  These activities are just the start of a series of on-going campaign to educate Filipinos about epilepsy: its impact, treatment, emerging issues, and even debunking common myths surrounding this condition.  

PLAE gives us a rundown of the Impact of Epilepsy:

(taken from PLAE's Press Kit)

Natur House: Change Your Life and Stay Healthy

I'd be the first to admit that losing weight and maintaining the ideal healthy weight range takes a lot of work and self-discipline.  If you have been reading some of my past articles, you know that I have lost considerable weight by altering the food I eat, choosing healthier options in the process.  I've also been involved in a lot of running activities, even tried gyms for a while.  Now, while that may have worked for me, others may find that too challenging or too hard to sustain.  Even I need some outside push once in a while.  There were times I simply backslide without resistance hahaha!  

I know it can be frustrating and sometimes, willpower alone does not suffice.  Sometimes, we need professional help and guidance as well. 

(Note: The following is a sponsored promotional article for Natur House)

Is It A Hidden Melanoma?

As far as I could remember, it was probably December last year when I developed this discoloration on my left toenail. It was a white spot on the leftmost part of the toenail. I thought I'd just let it grow out and cut it off eventually. But though that first white spot reached the edge, I noticed that the white-yellowish spot is spreading and until just a month ago, it has covered about 95% of the nail bed.  

The sick toenail

At Forty and Beyond

Woman Jumping @ freedigitalphotos.net

Where did the time go?  One time I was just twenty and now, twenty years has gone by already!  Oh yes, I have officially joined the so-called midlife, but hopefully not the crisis commonly associated with it.  And while many women (and men maybe?) would cringe at the thought of admitting their real age, I'm proud to say I've lived four decades already and I feel simply blessed.