SWOLLEN FEET - IDEAS (not boot camp)

https://healthfinder.gov/healthtopics/category/health-conditions-and-diseases/obesity/stay-active-as-you-get-older-quick-tips:

Do balance activities 3 or more days a week.

• Practice standing on one foot (hold onto a chair if you need to at first).THE GOOD FOOT DOCTOR CHALLENGED ME TO STAND ON ONE FOOT AND ALSO MENTIONED WALKING A STRAIGHT LINE (I SHOULD BE ABLE TO BECAUSE I DRIVE AND YOU NEVER KNOW)
• Stand up from a sitting position without using your hands.

When I lived at the beach, I could jog four miles on the hardpack.  Then, bout 4 years ago I was diagnosed with peripheral myopathy.  I passed the arteries-to-my-feet exam with flying colors. Two weeks ago someone who had seen me walking asked if my feet hurt.

Uh, Definitely:  My feet are swollen when I wake and much of the day. I'm overweight, on Prolia, and still on Tamoxifen.  

Then about a week ago I got two very strong reminders about drinking plenty (that's plenty) of water.   Must remember that coffee is not water.  Darn. (Oh, and we're supposed to follow a cup of ethyl with water. Like a whole glass full.  

 I hit the web, and got more hints.  
The swelling may be worse because I'm overweight, and 
Trying to pump fluid from feet back to my heart may be hard on my heart! 

 ( Notation on TW made it hard to tell if this next is from Cleveland Clinic (?)

"You can make small changes to your everyday life to help reduce swelling:

1. Take a short walk every hour.  
2. Drink eight to 10 glasses of water daily. Drinking less actually promotes swelling. (First time I ever heard that.)
3. Limit your salt intake. .

Mayo Clinic said:  

"Mild edema usually goes away on its own, particularly if you help things along by raising the affected limb higher than your heart."  

In my case,GERD, must elevate feet when stomach is empty.  

SO FAR:

For four days, I refused to sit anywhere that I could not prop up my feet.  (Okay, not while driving to the grocery store.)

Before I ate today, I lay down on my back and put a giant old sofa pillow under my feet for ten minutes.  Boring, but, YOU CAN READ WHILE YOU DO THIS (INSERT SMILE) OR:  Do your bed-xer-cizes.

I made sure my water glass was full before taking my thyroid and right beside my coffee mug.

I got a short  water bottle that goes in my car and in my purse.

 I write down my weight every morning first thing;

I write on the fridge chart every time I FILL my water glass.

I try not to stand so long when doing the grocery, library, etc., all at once.

I WILL remember that when I'm at Starbucks, I'm NOT eating!

I will remember that sometimes we think we're hungry when we're really thirsty

And (just between us) I seem to  eat less if I eat what I like  as long as it doesn't have sugar and white flour!

 DID I MENTION ALWAYS ASK YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE DOING WHAT I WRITE?   

Raise your glasses (WATER) to taking care of you!  

Coming soon : SHOE HATRED!

FREE BUS PASS re Reuters article ref'd on TW MIDNIGHT SPECIAL

 

Cheryl Platzman Weinstock

5 MIN READ

 Just saw that article ref'd on TW w many theories on free bus pass benefits.

I say: Doesn't matter whom I would visit, talk to, and it's not primarily about avoiding isolation.

A free bus pass (esp one better than the mess I got into in L.A.) is the difference between:

a)  I am in charge of my day and where I choose to go, or:

b)  I am not in charge of my day, and must beg rides even to go to the doctor, much less where to have fun or be refreshed

(Yes, I know, the bus has to be going places I want to go.)

Any other theories?  All I can say is I remember every moment of not driving before and after the lumbar fusion. I had to lend my car to a friend in exchange for being driven to grocery shopping, and HIRE someone to drive and go with me to the doctor, get food..  As a way to spend the rest of my life?  Try it.

 You may find the article by googling Reuters....