Brewnosers Health Channel

[GuingesRock]

Here’s a new thread. It’s a new year. Is anyone stepping up the game and getting healthy? Cutting back on the beer? I did a while back. Anyone have a health issue to discuss?

I have one. I didn’t realize it, but I have sleep apnoea. I was constantly exhausted, cutting back on my work hours, getting home wiped and no energy, it was a struggle to muster up the energy to brew, or anything else for that matter, and then one day Kathleen said you stop breathing in your sleep you know. I got tested, got a CPAP machine, and now I have energy!!!! It’s like night and day. I thought I was just getting old (at a youngish age), and that was what getting old was like. I have my sparkle back. If you are constantly exhausted get tested. What a waste. I’ve been like that for three years. That’s pretty stupid. I should have known better. Even young people get sleep apnoea.

Cheers! …and to your good health.

[Keith]

I quit smoking 17 months back which was my first lifestyle change. Been meaning to exercise, but been swamped with life. Trying to drop 20-30lbs this year, but time will tell if that happens. Other than that, just try to eat better and drink more water in-between beers.

[jeffsmith]

I had a bit of an issue with my heart back in early October (atrial flutter) brought on by excessive stress, too much caffeine and a not great diet. Thankfully, my heart rate is under control and I've suffered no lasting effects.

I've started exercising regularly (at least 5 days a week), working actual reasonable hours, eating better and cutting down on caffeine. Went from 3 to 6 cups of coffee plus energy drinks every day to a single cup. I think that's been harder than when I quit smoking a little over 10 years ago. I also went from working 60 to 70 hours a week (some weeks) to sticking to 40 to 50 and turning off my phone a lot more often.

[mr x]

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[GuingesRock]

I had a bit of an issue with my heart back in early October (atrial flutter) brought on by excessive stress, too much caffeine and a not great diet. Thankfully, my heart rate is under control and I've suffered no lasting effects.

I've started exercising regularly (at least 5 days a week), working actual reasonable hours, eating better and cutting down on caffeine. Went from 3 to 6 cups of coffee plus energy drinks every day to a single cup. I think that's been harder than when I quit smoking a little over 10 years ago. I also went from working 60 to 70 hours a week (some weeks) to sticking to 40 to 50 and turning off my phone a lot more often.

Atrial flutter can be bloody annoying Jeff. I'm glad you figured it out and the lifestyle changes will help in other areas a lot. None of us need to have our noses to the grindstone. That isn't what life is for. If it was me, I'd also take wild salmon oil daily. It has been shown to help a lot of arrhythmias, and I know it does, and the omega 3's are very good for you. Never take omega 6 and 9, some is good but there is enough in our diets, too much is harmful. Omega 3 is the one, found in salmon oil and flax. Salmon oil is the one that has been shown to help arrhythmias.

[jeffsmith]

Thanks for that tip Mark. I feel even better about the flax that I've been throwing in my morning smoothies now. Will keep the salmon oil in mind should I switch off the smoothies.

[dexter]

I started a new job last year and dropped45# by cutting out my snacks at night this year my goal into keep it off and maybe drop a few more and change a bit of it to muscle!

[mr x]

Man, that TRX unit above is killer.

Alternatively, you could brew a Hydroxycut Hardcore Hefeweizen.

[Juniper Hill]

I'm trying not to drink during the week. I find after a few drinks I'm super hungry, which leads to snacking in a big way. I'm also trying. A stability ball at work to use instead of a chair. Not sure if that's gonna work out.

[CorneliusAlphonse]

I run a couple times a week and I have youth on my side.

[gm-]

Need to start lifting again and eat more regularly, lack of exercise and irregular meals has caused me to drop 22 lbs in few months

[Jimmy]

We have a trx, but it doesn't do much good just hanging there

[Broob]

I love the contrast of the growler beside the tub of protein powder.

[GuingesRock]

I'm jealous of the pull up bar, love pull-ups, also was a great rower when I was younger, so if you want to sell that incredible rowing machine, let me know.

[mr x]

We have a trx, but it doesn't do much good just hanging there

No it doesn't.

[GuingesRock]

Neil, that's a good idea about the stability ball for working at a desk. I was eyeing up some chairs that are like that here in Kentville but have feet on them but the top is a ball covered in fabric, they were very comfortable, and they force a good posture, but I need to scoot around on my chair that has wheels on it at work.

[GuingesRock]

Here’s some original things that I came up with in my feeble attempts to help people with their life’s struggles.

1) Go to counselling. People go to the gym to become physically strong, and people go to counselling to achieve their maximum mental potential. It’s like getting your hair done. You are spending time on yourself, and that’s important.

2) Physical exercise makes you feel good. People run along the dykes here, not because they are masochistic, but they do it to get a high from the endorphins, the natural feel good hormones.

3) People have a tendency to neglect their own needs in their quest to care for others. I explain my “aeroplane theory.” When the oxygen goes on the aeroplane, you must put the oxygen mask on yourself before you help any babies, children etc. If you don’t, no one stands a chance.

4) If you stay away from flour and sugar, you will rapidly return to your ideal weight and feel great.

There’s another recommendation that I haven’t personally mastered, and that is, stop and smell the roses. I’m bad at that.

[Becky]

I'm jealous of the pull up bar, love pull-ups, also was a great rower when I was younger, so if you want to sell that incredible rowing machine, let me know.

Nooooooo I love that rowing machine. ....Actually, I hate it. But that's what makes it effective. lol

[toddthebeerdude]

Great posts. My life turned a couple of years ago and steadily went down hill. I gave up one thing after another I liked to do and ballooned out. I been working hard to turn it around started going to the gym again this month. Talking to a councellor. I am interested in the CPAP, is it hard to sleep with?

[GuingesRock]

I am interested in the CPAP, is it hard to sleep with?

No, I love it. Forgot to mention I also started dreaming again (from getting REM sleep) which is weird. She has quite a big nose rig there, they have really small ones now.

[bluenose]

I've been using a CPAP since the summer and my life has improved. I used to need a nap in the afternoons if I wasn't constantly busy, but even then I was getting drowsy at work in the afternoons. I also couldn't drive a car for much longer than a couple of hours.

Anyhoo, the people I got mine from let me try a few different styles of masks to find one that worked for me. I preferred the full nose and mouth one as I tend to sleep with my mouth open. The only thing I find is that it dries me out, even with the humidifier on.

I still need a nap sometimes, but I chaulk that up to late nights

[mikeorr]

I probably need to use my CPAP, as I have one but I had to give up using it. As someone else mentioned above, I'm a mouth breather when I sleep - so then you need a full nose & mouth face mask (instead of the much smaller nose-only mask). I found the larger mask awkward and uncomfortable, and the sound of system running distracting and I couldn't fall asleep with it on. So, I gave it up.

Speaking of which, I have a CPAP machine for sale, hardly used!

[GuingesRock]

Even if you tend to mouth breath you wont with the nasal thing on, because if you open your mouth with it on it feels weird, since air blows out through your mouth.

[mikeorr]

Even if you tend to mouth breath you wont with the nasal thing on, because if you open your mouth with it on it feels weird, since air blows out through your mouth.

Exactly - I sounded like Darth Vader and I couldn't fall asleep lol