Hey all, just checking in.
Looking at workouts and such.
My doc wants me to log a month's worth of blood pressure measurements. Thought I might pair that up with a program. Look at starting at "Square One", as it were. Other workouts would some simple isometrics and upper body punches. I realized today that I haven't worked up a good sweat in quite a while.
For my metabolic disorder, I need to send in blood samples to get tested for phenylalanine levels. My most recent level, from the end of November was a 4.2. That is the lowest I've ever had it, even though that is still a tad high. My range has been around 13-15 in the past.
To understand why that's significant, allow me to share a little about it. Phenylalanine (Phe for short) levels in an affected person's blood can be measured in micromoles or miligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Each has a different numbering system. The one I'm most familiar with is mg/dL. So the 4.2, 13, and 15 I mentioned before is mg/dL. The ideal level is 2 mg/dL. I may never hit that number, but the lower I can keep, the better. The higher it goes, the worse the mental issues get. And without treatment, the more severe they can get. This thing is it's own beast.
The ADHD medicine I've been on has affected a few factors that contribute to the low level, one of which is appetite. Small appetite is one of the side affects which lead to me eating a lot less than I was. With my enhanced brain power and mental capacity from the medicine, I could do more with food at home instead of ordering takeout most of the time. Both of these were instrumental in keeping me from eating high-protein food and thus keeping high amounts of Phe from my system. The issue with the extra Phe in the blood is that it penetrates the blood-brain barrier and builds up, and that buildup causes the increased mental issues.
I have to be careful when I exercise though, because this ADHD medicine also contributes to high blood pressure. Based on my last measurement, the ADHD medicine and blood pressure medicine are canceling each other out, hence the month of logs I have to do.
Every time I've said I have plans in the past, I was not of sufficient mind to carry them out and so became frustrated at myself because I knew I had the intelligence to do it, just not the mental acuity to stick with it. This time is different.
I recently took part in the Lensa trend running around and saw what I could become if I applied myself. That gave me some motivation. Ignited a deep-seated fire within. No delusions of grandeur though. Yeah, I want to look great in costumes, but I'm getting into the mindset of approaching my body was I would my car: Though I do like to have my car looking good as it can, I don't have it tricked out with spoilers and useless accessories - I focus on the systems that matter...the engine, the tires, the windows, the battery. I've started with my microbiome: I bought a few fermented foods for prebiotics and I have oatmeal for probiotics. I'm staying away from bread entirely. Every time I have bread, my system eats itself alive. Yes, whole grain bread too.
Things are progressing. My mentality right now is about getting the root systems taken care of. Laying a foundation for later changes, activities, and other assorted fitness spontaneities.