Use It Or Lose It

Last summer if you had told me that I would be walking eighteen holes of golf, carrying my golf bag with any regularity this year, I would have been skeptical.  Somehow plantar fasciitis had manifested in my right foot, with my left foot not far behind.  Every morning the pain and stiffness made me feel like an eighty-year old man, hobbling around, popping Aleve.  It affected my gait to the point that my back (which has always been a little iffy) started flaring up too.

This year is different story - It’s been months since I’ve taken an anti-inflammation drug, and my body feels more resilient.  The way I got here was by simply wrestling with the foot problem, doing whatever I could - even if that was not what I would “normally” be doing.  I was able to continue playing golf by riding in a cart rather than walking 15,000 or so steps.  I stretched my feet, Achilles tendons and calves, multiple times each day.  I kept going to the gym, modifying workouts as necessary to avoid aggravating things. 

Over time, my function returned to something close to what I could call normal.  I maintain a daily stretching routine that I am certain keeps the plantar fasciitis at bay.  I have no doubt that the pain would return if I slacked off on this daily ritual.  I also have no doubt that I would be less functional today if I had chosen rest over active rehab.

Writers must write.  And active people need to stay active.  No doubt my body will disappoint me again in the future.  New aches and pains will appear.  I’ll have to keep stacking up mobility rituals to keep my aging body functioning as I want it to.  I imagine there is probably a swimming pool in my future.  Gentle, less load-bearing, swimming also promotes a good range of motion of our limbs.  Whatever it takes, I will keep moving.

This notion of Use It Or Lose It also applies to mental function.  Reading, working puzzles, keeping a journal, staying engaged with life are essential.  Inactivity is the new smoking.

When adversity presented itself last year, it was hard not to feel as if the pain and stiffness was simply my "new normal."  But it didn’t work out that way.  Recovery is not guaranteed, but it is possible.  Remember that when things are not going your way - your response to unwelcome events can go a long way in turning things around.

Sunday Supper
I cooked this Grilled Pork Bulgogi yesterday, and it was fantastic.  (Be judicious with the Gochujang paste, to avoid over-spicing the marinade.  I used about 60% of what the recipe calls for and it was still pretty zippy.)  This Southwest Salmon Salad is wonderful, too.

Sunday Music
This week for Sunday Music I share with you this wonderful cover of Tom Waits’ Temptation by Diana Krall, and this 30-minute performance by Katie Pruitt on Austin City Limits Radio is really nice.  Enjoy!

If you know anyone who might like this essay, please share it with them. 

Have a great week ahead!  Offer support to others.  Make good use of this day.  And let me know how I can help.

Peace & Love,