Published on May 15, 2007 By Texas Wahine In Blogging
I am officially going grey.

I have found grey hairs before (found my first one during the last deployment), but this time there are MANY. White, crinkly strands of oldness. My mom says my dad started going grey at 17 and apparently it runs in our family. I did some wiki work and learned about the mechanics behind going grey. Unfortunately, there's not a damn thing I can do about it. I can yank those bastards out for now, but I've developed an allergy to hair dye, so when they take over, that's it. I'll be grey.

People like to joke that kids and stress cause grey hair, which obviously isn't the case, but it sure seems like it.

I had a urology appointment today and I found parking in less than 10 minutes, which is just stellar. My new Moby Wrap is the bomb. Even the doctor wanted to know where to get one.

On my way to urology I asked a guy in slacks and loafers where urology was and he blew me off. Not even, "Sorry, I don't know." He stopped, looked at me, opened his mouth and then rushed off in the other direction. And I said, "THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR HELP!!"

WTF was that all about? I think he's the first person who has ever done that to me. What a jerk. I hope he irreparably scuffs his loafers.

Everyone thought Izzy was the cutest. The nurses held her and a Marine told her she was cute. I know it was probably inappropriate to bring her to a serious medical appointment, but a) she needs her leche and I don't have anyone I would ask to keep her. It was fine, though.

I got to report my own height and weight. That was a nice change. I considered going with 125, but I thought maybe the nurse might not buy that. And then she'd make me get on the scale for reals as punishment for lying.

I didn't have a long wait at all and lots of old Veteran types had smiles for Izzy.

I got to see what my insides look like on the CT scan, and that was cool. I apparently have some sort of calcium build up in my kidneys and several small stones that may or may not cause me problems in the future. My stones are the calcium kind, so diet modifications will help.

I have to do a 24 hour urine collection. That will be fun. I get to pee in a plastic thing and then transfer it to a big jug IN MY REFRIGERATOR. Move over milk, there's a new liquid in town. Haha. Speaking of pee collection, I had to do a new kind of urine sample submission process today. I had to use 3 ginormous iodine swabs to...ummm...prepare...for my....ummm...test. That was different. I accidentally splashed iodine all over the bathroom when I opened the packet. I did clean it up, though.

I also have a referral for a nutritionist. And after reading the literature I was given, I know that these dietary changes are not going to be fun. Apparently chocolate is a kidney stone offender. Spinach is too. And I love spinach. Caffeine is a no-no, but honestly I don't drink much caffeine. Most of the time I drink diet root beer. I can't have too much dairy. I don't have a lot, but I need some Ben & Jerrys every so often. I hope this diet is not going to be annoying.

And of course, water water water. But I already drink a fair amount of water since I'm breastfeeding.

Later on I'll have an x-ray or ultrasound to check on things.

I learned a lot about male plumbing while I was in the urology clinic. They have a lot of nice illustrations and pamphlets. I guess guys have lots more things that can go wrong with their urinary tract. One of the many reasons I'm glad I'm a girl. Even though I get kidney stones and UTIs and kidney infections. D'oh.
Comments (Page 2)
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on May 18, 2007
(I)n the long run walking is better, because your joints, especially your knees have problems after many years of running.


Running is not a "low impact" cardio exercise. It does put stress on your joints (mostly your knees). However, it's difficult to get your heart rate up to running levels by just walking. You don't really have the option at home, but swimming, bicycling and "elliptical training" machines are low- or no-impact cardio options.

Even in the Army, some units are shying away from running every day...

Personally, my knees hurt a lot less when I weight less. Dropping the first 10 pounds made me run a lot faster, too.
on May 18, 2007
it's difficult to get your heart rate up to running levels by just walking.


Have you ever done speed walking? It gets your heart rate up there! It's just as effective and it keeps you fit. Casual walking and going at a speed walker's pace are way different.
on May 19, 2007
Have you ever done speed walking? It gets your heart rate up there! It's just as effective and it keeps you fit. Casual walking and going at a speed walker's pace are way different.


I have. Running is more efficient at getting my heart rate up to target. It is through my personal, anecdotal experience that I posted what I posted... I have no idea if there have been studies done that contradict what I said, but: Walking is not as effective at getting your heart rate up to the same levels that running can. Also, as one gets more "in shape" and more used to a particular exercise, that exercise will become easier and therefore less efficient at getting your heart rate to the same level.

When using the treadmill to do a Target Heart Rate workout (usually 124, which is 65%? of my MHR based solely on my age), I usually start with a jog to get my heart rate above 100-110, and then drop to a 4.5 mph walk. (Anything faster than 4.5 and I tend to break out into a trot.) Then the treadmill takes over and usually makes me walk uphill just to maintain that heart rate. 65% is "fat burn." Getting up to "cardio workout" heart rates would require me to do a quick jog->full run.
on May 19, 2007
hey pseudo, how long would I need to walk or run to get to the fat-burning part of the work out?
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