Looking back at my blog posts from 2012, I noticed that I started one in January concerning my health and the then recent diagnosis with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. I mentioned in that post the lifestyle change that I was making. Looking back from that point, I am pleased with the changes that have occurred.
Over the year I went from about 225 pounds to 170 pounds, and lost a lot of body (belly) fat. I took up running, bicycling, and weight lifting as ways to further improve my body condition. It has worked. Now running 3-5 miles is something of an everyday activity. The blood sugar is closer to being under control even without drugs. Blood pressure is only affected by work stress, and cholesterol is managed fairly well.
I am very pleased with the improvement in health over the last year. I plan on keeping up the same regimen and maybe participating in a few 5K or 10K runs. I am not doing these things for competitive purposes other than competing with my past performance and improving as I go forward. I know that at some point improvement will no longer be likely and just maintenance will be possible.
At 62 years of age however, I am still able to build muscle and continue to improve endurance. For as long as my body can manage this, I plan on maintaining the activities necessary to continue improvement. In less than a month I will be 63 years of age, Good Lord willing, and hope to stay in good shape.
There are numerous personal goals and projects that I still want to accomplish and have some decisions to make over the next year. Currently, I still work at a corporate job, but the time consumed there conflicts with several other goals. While the income is nice and will allow for other good things, a change will eventually be necessary. This does not mean retirement, but possibly a change in involvement level in the corporate job, or a possible change in careers. I do not see myself not gainfully employed or working in some fashion, over the next several years.
Looking back over the last year, I have been blessed. Many good things and happy experiences have come my way, even if I was too busy to notice every time. Looking forward to the coming year I pray that many more wonderful things will come our way, both personally and for all of my family, friends, and fellow citizens. So to all I wish you a very Happy and Blessed New Year!
Dave
