Narration provided by Wondervox.

By Mark McNease.

One of my biggest obstacles, if not the biggest one has been my years-long struggle with what is now obesity. I’m 65 years old, 5’10” tall, and 244 pounds. That burdens me with 50 pounds my body has to bear that it shouldn’t. It increases my risk of a half-dozen illnesses, including stroke, heart attack (which killed both my birth father and his father in their 60s), and that old standby, diabetes.

I’ve tried for at least the past decade to lose this weight, and all it has done is increase. So now, with the determination of the … determined, I’ve decided to bite the bullet. In this case it’s a syringe with a weekly dose of Zepbound. I just started this yesterday, so saying too much about it would be foolhardy. But I am committed to changing the way I eat, to making my relationship with food a much healthier one, and to inhabiting a body that both pleases me and serves me.

A word about cost: as someone on Medicare, with a Wellcare drug plan and a Humana supplemental, these drugs are not covered. I knew that going in, and it’s one of the reasons I put it off until now. I was able to get a month’s worth (4 injections) for just over $1000. Yes, it’s a lot of money. Yes, I’m somewhat privileged to be able to do this for the next three or four months, but no, I don’t feel guilty about that. I would rather spend $3000 changing my body and my life, than having to deal with the consequences of chronic obesity now and in the future.

I’ll be writing more about my Zepbound journey as the weeks pass and, hopefully, the pounds fall away.

Narration provided by Wondervox. 

By Mark McNease

Six weeks ago I fell in the yard, spraining my ankle and causing a small fracture in my fibula. One of the things I immediately noticed was an exaggeration of my already stiffening walk. It’s a common effect of aging we all see among those of us above a certain age: walking with a more side-to-side gait, possibly bent over some, or even a sort of waddling. It’s not just, or always, from being overweight or having joint and bone issues.

There are many causes off the stiffening that occurs as we age. Let’s take a look at some (and check out my post about stretching HERE).

Why We Get Stiff As We Age

If you are over 50, you might have noticed that your joints are not as flexible as they used to be. You may feel stiff and sore when you wake up in the morning, or after sitting for a long time. You may also find it harder to do some physical activities, such as gardening, climbing stairs, or any kind of athletic activities. Why does this happen? And what can we do to prevent or reduce stiffness in your body?

Narration provided by Wondervox.

I’ve been ditching the socks lately and it feels great. I can move my feet around more freely, and I don’t feel any distance between my skin and the floor. It’s especially nice at my writing desk, when I can curl my toes up and type!

There has always been something attractive for me about going barefoot, and I don’t mean the way it looks! I mean the way it feels. I can tell immediately what the surface I’m standing on feels like, whether it’s grass or the tiles on the kitchen floor.

Our culture tends to frown on being barefoot, as if our feet are somehow dirtier than our socks or shoes. I’ve made this assumption myself for most of my life, but the past year or so I kept wanting to be barefoot. Part of this is because I never feel like I have a good grip in socks, as if I’m going to slide onto the floor with every step. And part of it is because I instinctively feel more grounded: my feet are free to experience the sensation of whatever they’re touching, and I’m not worried about slipping and spraining my ankle (again).

So I’ve been ditching the socks lately and it feels great. I can move my feet around more freely, and I don’t feel any distance between my skin and the floor. It’s especially nice at my writing desk, when I can curl my toes up and type!

Health Beat is a feature at LGBTSr promoting health and well-being.

By Mark McNease

I’ll confess – I’m not good at taking my own advice when it comes to stretching, but the older I get, the more obvious the need for it becomes. I can feel my muscles, especially in my legs, contracting and in need of get a good stretch. Maybe knowing there’s a problem is the first step in addressing it! This year my objectives including losing 50 pounds, and listening to my body when it speaks to me, which is daily.

Stretching is a simple and effective way to improve our health and well-being, especially for older adults. As we age, we tend to lose flexibility, range of motion, and balance, which can lead to various problems such as pain, stiffness, injury, and reduced mobility. In my case, I was diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrome. I’m convinced that stretching would be a better remedy than medication, but for now I’ll do both.

By Mark McNease

I’ve been using a CPAP machine for over five years now. I got lucky, as far as I’m concerned, by only needing the nostril pillows. It’s not uncomfortable, and I quickly got used to having a hose coming out of my face onto a machine set up by the bed. But I would still prefer not having to use it. It’s especially inconvenient when we travel and I lug this thing around with us wherever we go. There’s the added hassle of either taking sterilized water, which is used in the machine, or buying it when we get to our destination.

My machine recently started making bag-motor noises and I need a new one. However, I was told I have to be tested again, and to get a new prescription from my “sleep doctor.” I have an appointment to see him in October, when my Medicare kicks in. In the meantime, I thought I’d take a look at some possible alternatives to having your life tied to a CPAP. I don’t know if the weight loss suggestion will work for me, since I’m perpetually trying to lose weight. Hopefully we’ll find out soon. In the meantime …

Possible Alternatives to a CPAP Machine

One alternative to using a CPAP machine is an Oral Appliance, also known as a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD). This type of appliance fits inside the mouth like a mouthguard and helps to keep the airway open during sleep by bringing the lower jaw slightly forward. Oral appliances are typically adjustable, allowing users to find the most comfortable setting.

By Mark McNease

It finally happened: the great reward for living almost 65 years! I’ll be passing that milestone in October, and I just got my Medicare card in the mail. It was like Christmas in June. The good news is I made it this long, the not-so-good news is … I made it this long. While that means I have fewer days ahead of me than behind me, it also means I’ll soon be able to enjoy healthcare as a Medicare recipient. No more ‘paycheck jobs’ for the sake of having medical coverage. And let’s face it – that’s why I worked for most of the last ten years.

The instructions for what to do once your card arrives can be confusing. There’s Original Medicare (Parts A & B), Part D (prescriptions), and what is called Part C, Medicare Advantage – more on that in a moment. I am opposed to Medicare Advantage because it is not Medicare. It is private insurance that is allowed to bill Medicare for its costs, with the ultimate goal of privatizing Medicare and eventually bankrupting it as a government program. I know, I know … millions of older Americans love their Advantage plans! So much so that half of all Medicare enrollees now have them. But I will not be one of them. I want to make sure Medicare is around for the generations after me, and I trust privatized health insurance as far as I can through the nearest Social Security office. I will be buying a supplemental plan instead, which covers the percentage original Medicare does not. And I’ll be getting prescription drug coverage individually as well. You will need to consider all your options, preferably with someone who can walk you through them and who does not have a vested interest in you taking an Advantage plan. Be aware that your premiums will be deducted from you Social Security if you’re receiving it (I took it at 62). If not, you’ll have to pay them separately.