My up and down year

[Preston Crawfor]

So here's my full story. I'm 6'2" in case it matters. I
have sleep apnea. It started when I was 17, but went
undiagnosed until I was 21 and over 350lbs. I eventually
got up to over 400lbs. Through careful diet and exercise I
got my weight down to around 240lbs. My cholesterol was 120
and my blood pressure (still to this day also) was always
around 117-120/70. So this past year has been rough. I
started having frequent panic attacks. I think I've had
anxiety for years. Anyway, I started focusing on treating
the anxiety. I don't take an SSRI, but I gained weight
anyway because I slacked off in diet and I was having
anxiety about my heart (kind of a vicious cycle, have
anxiety about the heart, don't exercise, gain weight, have
anxiety about the heart, reset again).

At my lowest I was I think 238lbs. Right now after a year of
long hours at a REALLY stressful job and dealing with my
panic, the panic has gotten better, except when it comes to
health issues. And I got some alarming number recently that
don't help things. My weight is up to 268 and my cholesterol
up to 170. How bad is this? Please put this into some kind
of perspective for me. I'm 29. Given my past history am I
irreversably damaged? Before this really bad job that worked
me long hours I used to bike 25 miles a day. Could I safely
do that again? I have no concept of what a dangerous range
is or what state my body is in after that kind of up and
down rollercoaster. Can I still bike enough to start fixing
this. I know what I need to do diet-wise, and where I went
wrong. I just need to know what I can do in terms of
exercise and if I'm putting myself at risk without taking
some tests of some kind.

Please, somebody ease my mind or else set me on the right
track so I know what I need to do next.

FWIW I haven't really experienced any symptoms. No tightness
(only GERD-related tightness), some PVCs, but the doctors
say nothing to worry about. I don't know what to do.

Preston

[Anonymous]

"Preston Crawford" <me@prestoncrawford.com> wrote in message
news:slrncdko23.h9n.me@serpentor.cobrala...
> So here's my full story. I'm 6'2" in case it matters. I
> have sleep apnea. It started when I was 17, but went
> undiagnosed until I was 21 and over 350lbs. I eventually
> got up to over 400lbs. Through careful diet and exercise I
> got my weight down to around 240lbs. My cholesterol was
> 120 and my blood pressure (still to this day also) was
> always around 117-120/70. So this past year has been
> rough. I started having frequent panic attacks. I think
> I've had anxiety for years. Anyway, I started focusing on
> treating the anxiety. I don't take an SSRI, but I gained
> weight anyway because I slacked off in diet and I was
> having anxiety about my heart (kind of a vicious cycle,
> have anxiety about the heart, don't exercise, gain weight,
> have anxiety about the heart, reset again).
>
> At my lowest I was I think 238lbs. Right now after a year
> of long hours at a REALLY stressful job and dealing with
> my panic, the panic has gotten better, except when it
> comes to health issues. And I got some alarming number
> recently that don't help things. My weight is up to 268
> and my cholesterol up to 170. How bad is this? Please put
> this into some kind of perspective for me. I'm 29. Given
> my past history am I irreversably damaged?

Not yet, most likely.

> Before this really bad job that worked me long hours I
> used to bike 25 miles a day. Could I safely do that again?
> I have no concept of what a dangerous range is or what
> state my body is in after that kind of up and down
> rollercoaster. Can I still bike enough to start fixing
> this. I know what I need to do diet-wise, and where I went
> wrong. I just need to know what I can do in terms of
> exercise and if I'm putting myself at risk without taking
> some tests of some kind.
>

Did you not say you had EKGs and a stress test? The only
other test I can think of is a safe biking test.

Eat less. Exercise more. Start slowly. Inform your Dr.
of any problems. But start doing something. Doing
nothing is unlikely to produce a positive outcome. Does
that make sense?

Bill

> Please, somebody ease my mind or else set me on the right
> track so I know what I need to do next.
>
> FWIW I haven't really experienced any symptoms. No
> tightness (only GERD-related tightness), some PVCs, but
> the doctors say nothing to worry about. I don't know
> what to do.
>
> Preston

[Owen Lowe]

In article <slrncdko23.h9n.me@serpentor.cobrala>,
Preston Crawford <me@prestoncrawford.com> wrote:

> So this past year has been rough. I started having
> frequent panic attacks. I think I've had anxiety for
> years. Anyway, I started focusing on treating the anxiety.
> I don't take an SSRI, but I gained weight anyway because I
> slacked off in diet and I was having anxiety about my
> heart (kind of a vicious cycle, have anxiety about the
> heart, don't exercise, gain weight, have anxiety about the
> heart, reset again).

Find a good psychiatrist or psychologist. There are recent
articles tying poor mental health with heart disease. Get
treatment for the anxiety (and maybe depression) first and
then begin the steps to exercise more and feel better.

[Dr. Andrew B. C]

Preston Crawford wrote:
>
> So here's my full story. I'm 6'2" in case it matters. I
> have sleep apnea. It started when I was 17, but went
> undiagnosed until I was 21 and over 350lbs. I eventually
> got up to over 400lbs. Through careful diet and exercise I
> got my weight down to around 240lbs.

How did you "diet"?

Your choices:

(a) Decrease amount

(b) Change type of foods

(c) Both

> My cholesterol was 120 and my blood pressure (still to
> this day also) was always around 117-120/70. So this past
> year has been rough. I started having frequent panic
> attacks. I think I've had anxiety for years. Anyway, I
> started focusing on treating the anxiety. I don't take an
> SSRI, but I gained weight anyway because I slacked off in
> diet and I was having anxiety about my heart (kind of a
> vicious cycle, have anxiety about the heart, don't
> exercise,

I would add "probably ate more"

> gain weight, have anxiety about the heart, reset again).
>
> At my lowest I was I think 238lbs. Right now after a year
> of long hours at a REALLY stressful job and dealing with
> my panic, the panic has gotten better, except when it
> comes to health issues. And I got some alarming number
> recently that don't help things. My weight is up to 268
> and my cholesterol up to 170. How bad is this?

Depends on the breakdown however, the upward trend should be
a concern.

> Please put this into some kind of perspective for me. I'm
> 29. Given my past history am I irreversably damaged?

Irreversible damage comes from having had a heart attack
or stroke.

> Before this really bad job that worked me long hours I
> used to bike 25 miles a day. Could I safely do that again?

Would suggest ask your doctor.

> I have no concept of what a dangerous range is or
> what state my body is in after that kind of up and
> down rollercoaster. Can I still bike enough to start
> fixing this.

Exercise does nothing to fix anything. If anything, it is
largely a source of injury that stimulates the body to
repair/maintain itself. The increased maintenance is what
leads to varying amounts of prevention.

> I know what I need to do diet-wise, and where I went
> wrong. I just need to know what I can do in terms of
> exercise and if I'm putting myself at risk without taking
> some tests of some kind.

Exercise is neither necessary nor sufficient for
losing weight.

Would suggest you ask your doctor about the 2PD approach.

http://www.heartmdphd.com/wtloss.asp

Ime, this works every time either with or without exercise.

> Please, somebody ease my mind or else set me on the right
> track so I know what I need to do next.
>
> FWIW I haven't really experienced any symptoms. No
> tightness (only GERD-related tightness), some PVCs, but
> the doctors say nothing to worry about. I don't know
> what to do.
>
> Preston

Hope the above helps you toward that end.

Servant to the humblest person in the universe,

Andrew

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com/

**
Who is the humblest person in the universe?
http://makeashorterlink.com/?L26062048

What is all this about?
http://makeashorterlink.com/?R20632B48

Is this spam?
http://makeashorterlink.com/?N69721867

[florald]

>Please, somebody ease my mind or else set me on the right
>track so I know what I need to do next.

The only one who can ease your mind is you Preston. You must
know this to be true. You must find a way of occupying your
mind with something else instead of yourself. Exercise works
wonders for depression and you get fitter at the same time.
Do your cycling and work up to a good distance and think
about the benefit to your muscles and heart, especially as
you have been assured there is nothing wrong with it. On
this group most people have heart problems of one kind or
another. Some of us couldn't even cycle to the end of the
street. Don't assume I have no experience of anxiety. I've
had it in spades. Used to be afraid of leaving the house but
decided that that life was no life so started off again in
small steps. Its very hard but you must do it.
>
>FWIW I haven't really experienced any symptoms. No
>tightness (only GERD-related tightness), some PVCs, but
>the doctors say nothing to worry about. I don't know
>what to do.

My GP always said that stress and anxiety hits the stomach
like nothing else so the GERD is no surprise. You will get
less of it after you have conquered your anxiety.

By the way, I think there is a group especially for people
who suffer from anxiety and depression. Maybe you can get
some wise words there?

Good luck, Diana

[Preston Crawfor]

>> At my lowest I was I think 238lbs. Right now after a year
>> of long hours at a REALLY stressful job and dealing with
>> my panic, the panic has gotten better, except when it
>> comes to health issues. And I got some alarming number
>> recently that don't help things. My weight is up to 268
>> and my cholesterol up to 170. How bad is this? Please put
>> this into some kind of perspective for me. I'm 29. Given
>> my past history am I irreversably damaged?
>
> Not yet, most likely.

I hope that's true. Thanks.

>> up and down rollercoaster. Can I still bike enough to
>> start fixing this. I know what I need to do diet-wise,
>> and where I went wrong. I just need to know what I can do
>> in terms of exercise and if I'm putting myself at risk
>> without taking some tests of some kind.
>>
>
> Did you not say you had EKGs and a stress test? The only
> other test I can think of is a safe biking test.

I've had EKGs, stress test, the nuclear dye test, etc. Most
all the tests you can have.

> Eat less. Exercise more. Start slowly. Inform your Dr.
> of any problems. But start doing something. Doing
> nothing is unlikely to produce a positive outcome. Does
> that make sense?

Of course. I've already been here once. I guess with all
the anxiety I let slip. And not in huge ways. I still
don't eat fast food. I still exercise. It's just that I've
gone from 25 miles of biking a day and a pure vegetarian
diet to 25 miles a week (because of being afraid to
exercise) and eating too much cheese, stuff like that in
terms of bad diet.

Preston

[Preston Crawfor]

On 2004-06-24, Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD <andrew@heartmdphd.com> wrote:
> Preston Crawford wrote:
>>
>> So here's my full story. I'm 6'2" in case it matters. I
>> have sleep apnea. It started when I was 17, but went
>> undiagnosed until I was 21 and over 350lbs. I eventually
>> got up to over 400lbs. Through careful diet and exercise
>> I got my weight down to around 240lbs.
>
> How did you "diet"?
>
> Your choices:
>
> (a) Decrease amount
>
> (b) Change type of foods
>
> (c) Both

Both. I went from an absolutely abominable diet to one rich
in beans and rice and sprouted wheat breads and vegetables.
Low in fat, no trans fats, walnuts and almonds for protein,
stuff like that. I became a vegetarian basically. Now I've
mixed egg whites and salmon back into my diet, but I don't
think they're the culprit. I'm sure the culprit is mixing
back in soda, the occasional chocolate, stuff like that. Oh,
and lots of cheese.

> I would add "probably ate more"

Yeah.

> Depends on the breakdown however, the upward trend should
> be a concern.

Yeah. It *obviously* is for me.

>> Please put this into some kind of perspective for me. I'm
>> 29. Given my past history am I irreversably damaged?
>
> Irreversible damage comes from having had a heart attack
> or stroke.

That's good to know. Obviously, as I've mentioned before,
not being a doctor or an expert at this, but having anxiety,
my mind tends to take off on the worst case scenario with
stuff like this.

>> Before this really bad job that worked me long hours
>> I used to bike 25 miles a day. Could I safely do
>> that again?
>
> Would suggest ask your doctor.

Okay.

>> I have no concept of what a dangerous range is or
>> what state my body is in after that kind of up and
>> down rollercoaster. Can I still bike enough to start
>> fixing this.
>
> Exercise does nothing to fix anything. If anything, it is
> largely a source of injury that stimulates the body to
> repair/maintain itself. The increased maintenance is what
> leads to varying amounts of prevention.

Well, it would fix things in so far as I'd lose weight and
that would make things better, I would assume.

> Hope the above helps you toward that end.

That does. Thanks.

Preston

[Preston Crawfor]

On 2004-06-24, Owen Lowe <onlnlowe@easystreet.com> wrote:
> In article <slrncdko23.h9n.me@serpentor.cobrala>,
> Preston Crawford <me@prestoncrawford.com> wrote:
>
>> So this past year has been rough. I started having
>> frequent panic attacks. I think I've had anxiety for
>> years. Anyway, I started focusing on treating the
>> anxiety. I don't take an SSRI, but I gained weight anyway
>> because I slacked off in diet and I was having anxiety
>> about my heart (kind of a vicious cycle, have anxiety
>> about the heart, don't exercise, gain weight, have
>> anxiety about the heart, reset again).
>
> Find a good psychiatrist or psychologist. There are recent
> articles tying poor mental health with heart disease. Get
> treatment for the anxiety (and maybe depression) first and
> then begin the steps to exercise more and feel better.

I do have a good psychiatrist. Problem is that (A) I can't
seem to lick the "anxiety over my health" thing, no matter
how good she is and (B) I've had a recent uptick in anxiety
while I haven't been seeing her. When I was seeing her
things were much better and in fact I'd overcome a number of
huge phobias including flying for the first time in 5 years.
I was doing so well I thought I could stop going for a
while. What I didn't factor in is that this anxiety over my
health would start to ratchet up again and that it would be
fueled by a bad reading like my latest cholesterol reading.
I'm going to go see her again.

Preston

[Anonymous]

"Preston Crawford" <me@prestoncrawford.com> wrote in message
news:slrncdkum6.hme.me@serpentor.cobrala...

> >> At my lowest I was I think 238lbs. Right now after a
> >> year of long hours
at
> >> a REALLY stressful job and dealing with my panic, the
> >> panic has gotten better, except when it comes to health
> >> issues. And I got some alarming number recently that
> >> don't help things. My weight is up to 268 and my
> >> cholesterol up to 170. How bad is this? Please put this
> >> into some kind of perspective for me. I'm 29. Given my
> >> past history am I irreversably damaged?
> >
> > Not yet, most likely.
>
> I hope that's true. Thanks.
>
> >> up and down rollercoaster. Can I still bike enough to
> >> start fixing this.
I
> >> know what I need to do diet-wise, and where I went
> >> wrong. I just need to know what I can do in terms of
> >> exercise and if I'm putting myself at risk without
> >> taking some tests of some kind.
> >>
> >
> > Did you not say you had EKGs and a stress test? The only
> > other test I can think of is a safe biking test.
>
> I've had EKGs, stress test, the nuclear dye test, etc.
> Most all the tests you can have.
>
> > Eat less. Exercise more. Start slowly. Inform your Dr.
> > of any problems.
But
> > start doing something. Doing nothing is unlikely to
> > produce a positive outcome. Does that make sense?
>
> Of course. I've already been here once. I guess with all
> the anxiety I let slip. And not in huge ways. I still
> don't eat fast food. I still exercise. It's just that I've
> gone from 25 miles of biking a day and a pure vegetarian
> diet to 25 miles a week (because of being afraid to
> exercise) and eating too much cheese, stuff like that in
> terms of bad diet.
>
> Preston

I have no idea why you would be afraid to exercise given
that you have passed all those tests and you already
exercise with no ill effects. Does that not make sense to
you? Why not increase the exercise slowly? But set specific
goals. I think you should be more afraid to not exercise.

As far as diet you already know what to do. And you don't
have to pass any tests at all for that. It depends on
whether you want to lose weight or not. You seem to have
shown some ability in the past to contol your eating, so do
you think you could probably do that again?

Bill

[Brad Sheppard]

Preston,

A chol of 170 isn't bad. Do you know your HDL? It should be
above 40. This NIH risk calc may give you comfort:
http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/atpiii/calculator.asp?usertype=pub
Rememer, 75% of heart attack occur after age 65. How's your
waist size? Over 40 inches is bad for men. Re: Panic attacks
- ask your doc about meds for this. It'd be great if you
could get back to biking 25 miles daily. Have you tried
weight lifting? It may boost your self confidence - it can
be very relaxing (once over) as well. I'm not aware,
however, of any studies showing it helps with panic attacks.

Preston Crawford <me@prestoncrawford.com> wrote in message
news:<slrncdlqkr.6mm.me@serpentor.cobrala>...
> On 2004-06-24, Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
> <andrew@heartmdphd.com> wrote:
> > Preston Crawford wrote:
> >>
> >> So here's my full story. I'm 6'2" in case it matters. I
> >> have sleep apnea. It started when I was 17, but went
> >> undiagnosed until I was 21 and over 350lbs. I
> >> eventually got up to over 400lbs. Through careful diet
> >> and exercise I got my weight down to around 240lbs.
> >
> > How did you "diet"?
> >
> > Your choices:
> >
> > (a) Decrease amount
> >
> > (b) Change type of foods
> >
> > (c) Both
>
> Both. I went from an absolutely abominable diet to one
> rich in beans and rice and sprouted wheat breads and
> vegetables. Low in fat, no trans fats, walnuts and almonds
> for protein, stuff like that. I became a vegetarian
> basically. Now I've mixed egg whites and salmon back into
> my diet, but I don't think they're the culprit. I'm sure
> the culprit is mixing back in soda, the occasional
> chocolate, stuff like that. Oh, and lots of cheese.
>
> > I would add "probably ate more"
>
> Yeah.
>
> > Depends on the breakdown however, the upward trend
> > should be a concern.
>
> Yeah. It *obviously* is for me.
>
> >> Please put this into some kind of perspective for me.
> >> I'm 29. Given my past history am I irreversably
> >> damaged?
> >
> > Irreversible damage comes from having had a heart attack
> > or stroke.
>
> That's good to know. Obviously, as I've mentioned before,
> not being a doctor or an expert at this, but having
> anxiety, my mind tends to take off on the worst case
> scenario with stuff like this.
>
> >> Before this really bad job that worked me long hours I
> >> used to bike 25 miles a day. Could I safely do that
> >> again?
> >
> > Would suggest ask your doctor.
>
> Okay.
>
> >> I have no concept of what a dangerous range is or what
> >> state my body is in after that kind of up and down
> >> rollercoaster. Can I still bike enough to start fixing
> >> this.
> >
> > Exercise does nothing to fix anything. If anything, it
> > is largely a source of injury that stimulates the body
> > to repair/maintain itself. The increased maintenance is
> > what leads to varying amounts of prevention.
>
> Well, it would fix things in so far as I'd lose weight and
> that would make things better, I would assume.
>
> > Hope the above helps you toward that end.
>
> That does. Thanks.
>
> Preston

[Dr. Andrew B. C]

Preston Crawford wrote:

> On 2004-06-24, Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
> <andrew@heartmdphd.com> wrote:
> > Preston Crawford wrote:
> >>
> >> So here's my full story. I'm 6'2" in case it matters. I
> >> have sleep apnea. It started when I was 17, but went
> >> undiagnosed until I was 21 and over 350lbs. I
> >> eventually got up to over 400lbs. Through careful diet
> >> and exercise I got my weight down to around 240lbs.
> >
> > How did you "diet"?
> >
> > Your choices:
> >
> > (a) Decrease amount
> >
> > (b) Change type of foods
> >
> > (c) Both
>
> Both. I went from an absolutely abominable diet to one
> rich in beans and rice and sprouted wheat breads and
> vegetables. Low in fat, no trans fats, walnuts and almonds
> for protein, stuff like that. I became a vegetarian
> basically. Now I've mixed egg whites and salmon back into
> my diet, but I don't think they're the culprit. I'm sure
> the culprit is mixing back in soda, the occasional
> chocolate, stuff like that. Oh, and lots of cheese.
>

The "lots of" is a problem.

>
> > I would add "probably ate more"
>
> Yeah.
>
> > Depends on the breakdown however, the upward trend
> > should be a concern.
>
> Yeah. It *obviously* is for me.
>
> >> Please put this into some kind of perspective for me.
> >> I'm 29. Given my past history am I irreversably
> >> damaged?
> >
> > Irreversible damage comes from having had a heart attack
> > or stroke.
>
> That's good to know. Obviously, as I've mentioned before,
> not being a doctor or an expert at this, but having
> anxiety, my mind tends to take off on the worst case
> scenario with stuff like this.
>
> >> Before this really bad job that worked me long hours I
> >> used to bike 25 miles a day. Could I safely do that
> >> again?
> >
> > Would suggest ask your doctor.
>
> Okay.
>
> >> I have no concept of what a dangerous range is or what
> >> state my body is in after that kind of up and down
> >> rollercoaster. Can I still bike enough to start fixing
> >> this.
> >
> > Exercise does nothing to fix anything. If anything, it
> > is largely a source of injury that stimulates the body
> > to repair/maintain itself. The increased maintenance is
> > what leads to varying amounts of prevention.
>
> Well, it would fix things in so far as I'd lose weight and
> that would make things better, I would assume.
>

In truth, exercise is neither necessary nor sufficient for
weight loss when the amount of eating stays excessive.

>
> > Hope the above helps you toward that end.
>
> That does. Thanks.
>

You are welcome, Preston :-)

Servant to the humblest person in the universe,

Andrew

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com/

**
Who is the humblest person in the universe?
http://makeashorterlink.com/?L26062048

What is all this about?
http://makeashorterlink.com/?R20632B48

Is this spam?
http://makeashorterlink.com/?N69721867

[Preston Crawfor]

> I have no idea why you would be afraid to exercise given
> that you have passed all those tests and you already
> exercise with no ill effects. Does that not make sense to
> you? Why not increase the exercise slowly? But set
> specific goals. I think you should be more afraid to not
> exercise.

I understand. Remember that anxiety isn't rational.
Otherwise I'd snap my fingers and it would go away and I'd
never worry about stuff like this. It's always irrational,
but based on things that have a footing in the real world.
So I feel a little off, feel some pain and my anxiety takes
over and runs with it. In the back of my head I can't shake
the idea that even though I've had all those tests I could
be THAT guy for whom the tests don't catch the problem. Or
maybe things have gotten MUCH worse since I last took the
tests. Those are the kinds of things you think about.

> As far as diet you already know what to do. And you don't
> have to pass any tests at all for that. It depends on
> whether you want to lose weight or not. You seem to have
> shown some ability in the past to contol your eating, so
> do you think you could probably do that again?

Of course I could. And of course I don't have to pass any
test for that. That's probably just me feeding the anxiety
and now that I have something new to be anxious about I'm
pretty certain I'll get my act together on the eating front.
I'm already better than most (i.e. no fast food, etc.) but
I'm kind of a sloppy pseudo-vegetarian right now. Lots of
veggies, but then lots of cheese and snacks.

Preston

[Anonymous]

"Preston Crawford" <me@prestoncrawford.com> wrote in message
news:slrncdlq83.6mm.me@serpentor.cobrala...

> > I have no idea why you would be afraid to exercise given
> > that you have
passed
> > all those tests and you already exercise with no ill
> > effects. Does that
not
> > make sense to you? Why not increase the exercise slowly?
> > But set specific goals. I think you should be more
> > afraid to not exercise.
>
> I understand. Remember that anxiety isn't rational.
> Otherwise I'd snap my fingers and it would go away and I'd
> never worry about stuff like this. It's always irrational,
> but based on things that have a footing in the real world.
> So I feel a little off, feel some pain and my anxiety
> takes over and runs with it. In the back of my head I
> can't shake the idea that even though I've had all those
> tests I could be THAT guy for whom the tests don't catch
> the problem. Or maybe things have gotten MUCH worse since
> I last took the tests. Those are the kinds of things you
> think about.

If you feel you need to do this, there are phobia centers
around the country which are quite good. People meet in
groups. I believe they have a high success rate.

Bill

>
> > As far as diet you already know what to do. And you
> > don't have to pass any tests at all for that. It depends
> > on whether you want to lose weight or
not.
> > You seem to have shown some ability in the past to
> > contol your eating, so
do
> > you think you could probably do that again?
>
> Of course I could. And of course I don't have to pass any
> test for that. That's probably just me feeding the anxiety
> and now that I have something new to be anxious about I'm
> pretty certain I'll get my act together on the eating
> front. I'm already better than most (i.e. no fast food,
> etc.) but I'm kind of a sloppy pseudo-vegetarian right
> now. Lots of veggies, but then lots of cheese and snacks.
>
> Preston

[Preston Crawfor]

On 2004-06-24, Brad Sheppard <Brad@sheppardsoftware.com> wrote:
> Preston,
>
> A chol of 170 isn't bad. Do you know your HDL? It should
> be above 40. This NIH risk calc may give you comfort: htt-
> p://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/atpiii/calculator.asp?usertype=pub
> Rememer,

I'll find out next week, but thanks for the comforting
thoughts. Yours and those of others (not the abuse that some
have heaped on me) have helped me to feel confident getting
on my bike a lot this week.

> 75% of heart attack occur after age 65. How's your waist
> size? Over 40 inches is bad for men. Re: Panic attacks -
> ask your doc about meds

Mine is 40. Used to be 38 when I was 240. I know, sounds
impossible but I'm "big boned" so I carry my weight
pretty well.

http://www.prestoncrawford.com/album/images/me2.jpg

> for this. It'd be great if you could get back to biking 25
> miles daily. Have you tried weight lifting? It may boost
> your self

I agree. I think I need to build up to that, but I'm getting
there this week. I've tackled some big hills this week that
normally would give me heart-related anxiety. And I've put
in a 15/14/13 mile day so far.

> confidence - it can be very relaxing (once over) as well.
> I'm not aware, however, of any studies showing it helps
> with panic attacks.

Exercise definitely helps with my panic. My panic was much
more in check before my last company ratcheted up the
anxiety and the hours and I had the time to bike more.
Weight lifting, I'm not so sure about that. I've always
wondered if that's more risky than helpful. Maybe I'm wrong.
I'd love to be told I'm wrong, then I'd probably start
lifting weights again. But I already have significant muscle
mass in my thighs and calves from biking. My upper body
could use some work, though.

Preston

[Don Kirkman]

It seems to me I heard somewhere that Preston Crawford wrote in article
<slrncdpaug.ce7.me@serpentor.cobrala>:

>On 2004-06-24, Brad Sheppard
><Brad@sheppardsoftware.com> wrote:
>> Preston,

[...]

>> 75% of heart attack occur after age 65. How's your waist
>> size? Over 40 inches is bad for men. Re: Panic attacks -
>> ask your doc about meds

>Mine is 40. Used to be 38 when I was 240. I know, sounds
>impossible but I'm "big boned" so I carry my weight
>pretty well.

>http://www.prestoncrawford.com/album/images/me2.jpg

>> for this. It'd be great if you could get back to biking
>> 25 miles daily. Have you tried weight lifting? It may
>> boost your self

>I agree. I think I need to build up to that, but I'm
>getting there this week. I've tackled some big hills this
>week that normally would give me heart-related anxiety. And
>I've put in a 15/14/13 mile day so far.

>> confidence - it can be very relaxing (once over) as well.
>> I'm not aware, however, of any studies showing it helps
>> with panic attacks.

>Exercise definitely helps with my panic. My panic was much
>more in check before my last company ratcheted up the
>anxiety and the hours and I had the time to bike more.
>Weight lifting, I'm not so sure about that. I've always
>wondered if that's more risky than helpful. Maybe I'm
>wrong. I'd love to be told I'm wrong, then I'd probably
>start lifting weights again. But I already have significant
>muscle mass in my thighs and calves from biking. My upper
>body could use some work, though.

Preston, I don't have any weight lifting experience or
opinions, but I'd like to be sure you remember that large
boned people (as you describe yourself) and those who do
fairly heavy weights regularly are apt to weigh more than
the charts suggest for a person of their height and waist,
so weight alone is not necessarily a good measure of risk.
A 190 lb six foot lifter with large bones is not in the
same category as a 190 lb six foot couch potato and/or
beer guzzler.

Good luck on working things through.
--
Don donkirk@covad.net

[Brad Sheppard]

Preston,

Re: lifting weights - it is very likely more helpful than
risky. The risk is in two forms: 1) those with current heart
problems need doc's approval 2) For those prone to overdoing
- showing off, many seem to get injured. I'm talking about
the real "gung-ho" bodybuilders at the gym. On the plus
side: Lowers stress, anxiety - boosts HDL - lowers blood
pressure see http://www.thetrainingstationinc.com/benefitso-
ftraining.html

Preston Crawford <me@prestoncrawford.com> wrote in message
news:<slrncdpaug.ce7.me@serpentor.cobrala>...
> On 2004-06-24, Brad Sheppard
> <Brad@sheppardsoftware.com> wrote:
> > Preston,
> >
> > A chol of 170 isn't bad. Do you know your HDL? It should
> > be above 40. This NIH risk calc may give you comfort:
> > http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/atpiii/calculator.asp?usertype-
> > =pub Rememer,
>
> I'll find out next week, but thanks for the comforting
> thoughts. Yours and those of others (not the abuse that
> some have heaped on me) have helped me to feel confident
> getting on my bike a lot this week.
>
> > 75% of heart attack occur after age 65. How's your waist
> > size? Over 40 inches is bad for men. Re: Panic attacks -
> > ask your doc about meds
>
> Mine is 40. Used to be 38 when I was 240. I know, sounds
> impossible but I'm "big boned" so I carry my weight
> pretty well.
>
> http://www.prestoncrawford.com/album/images/me2.jpg
>
> > for this. It'd be great if you could get back to biking
> > 25 miles daily. Have you tried weight lifting? It may
> > boost your self
>
> I agree. I think I need to build up to that, but I'm
> getting there this week. I've tackled some big hills this
> week that normally would give me heart-related anxiety.
> And I've put in a 15/14/13 mile day so far.
>
> > confidence - it can be very relaxing (once over) as
> > well. I'm not aware, however, of any studies showing it
> > helps with panic attacks.
>
> Exercise definitely helps with my panic. My panic was much
> more in check before my last company ratcheted up the
> anxiety and the hours and I had the time to bike more.
> Weight lifting, I'm not so sure about that. I've always
> wondered if that's more risky than helpful. Maybe I'm
> wrong. I'd love to be told I'm wrong, then I'd probably
> start lifting weights again. But I already have
> significant muscle mass in my thighs and calves from
> biking. My upper body could use some work, though.
>
> Preston

[Preston Crawfor]

> "Preston Crawford" <me@prestoncrawford.com> wrote in message
> news:slrncdlq83.6mm.me@serpentor.cobrala...

>> > I have no idea why you would be afraid to exercise
>> > given that you have
> passed
>> > all those tests and you already exercise with no ill
>> > effects. Does that
> not
>> > make sense to you? Why not increase the exercise
>> > slowly? But set specific goals. I think you should be
>> > more afraid to not exercise.
>>
>> I understand. Remember that anxiety isn't rational.
>> Otherwise I'd snap my fingers and it would go away and
>> I'd never worry about stuff like this. It's always
>> irrational, but based on things that have a footing in
>> the real world. So I feel a little off, feel some pain
>> and my anxiety takes over and runs with it. In the back
>> of my head I can't shake the idea that even though I've
>> had all those tests I could be THAT guy for whom the
>> tests don't catch the problem. Or maybe things have
>> gotten MUCH worse since I last took the tests. Those are
>> the kinds of things you think about.
>
> If you feel you need to do this, there are phobia centers
> around the country which are quite good. People meet in
> groups. I believe they have a high success rate.
>
> Bill

I would like to find one, actually. My therapist is quite
good, but I find that that's not quite enough. It would help
to meet regularly with regular people who have anxiety or
phobia. I can't find a group in my area, though (Portland,
Oregon). The only group I'm aware of (reading about it in a
book) is Phobease.

Preston

[Preston Crawfor]

On 2004-06-27, Don Kirkman <donkirk@covad.net> wrote:
>>Exercise definitely helps with my panic. My panic was much
>>more in check before my last company ratcheted up the
>>anxiety and the hours and I had the time to bike more.
>>Weight lifting, I'm not so sure about that. I've always
>>wondered if that's more risky than helpful. Maybe I'm
>>wrong. I'd love to be told I'm wrong, then I'd probably
>>start lifting weights again. But I already have
>>significant muscle mass in my thighs and calves from
>>biking. My upper body could use some work, though.
>
> Preston, I don't have any weight lifting experience or
> opinions, but I'd like to be sure you remember that large
> boned people (as you describe yourself) and those who do
> fairly heavy weights regularly are apt to weigh more than
> the charts suggest for a person of their height and waist,
> so weight alone is not necessarily a good measure of risk.
> A 190 lb six foot lifter with large bones is not in the
> same category as a 190 lb six foot couch potato and/or
> beer guzzler.
>
> Good luck on working things through.

Thank you. It's not easy. Not with the anxiety. Each day is
a new battle. The last few were good, though. Thanks in part
to my doctor and a few helpful people here and elsewhere.

Preston

[Anonymous]

"Preston Crawford" <me@prestoncrawford.com> wrote in message
news:slrncdpb0q.ce7.me@serpentor.cobrala...

> >
> > "Preston Crawford" <me@prestoncrawford.com> wrote in
> > message news:slrncdlq83.6mm.me@serpentor.cobrala...

> >> > I have no idea why you would be afraid to exercise
> >> > given that you have
> > passed
> >> > all those tests and you already exercise with no ill
> >> > effects. Does that
> > not
> >> > make sense to you? Why not increase the exercise
> >> > slowly? But set
specific
> >> > goals. I think you should be more afraid to not
> >> > exercise.
> >>
> >> I understand. Remember that anxiety isn't rational.
> >> Otherwise I'd snap my fingers and it would go away and
> >> I'd never worry about stuff like this. It's always
> >> irrational, but based on things that have a footing in
> >> the real world. So I feel a little off, feel some pain
> >> and my anxiety takes over and runs with it. In the back
> >> of my head I can't shake the idea that even though I've
> >> had all those tests I could be THAT guy for whom the
> >> tests don't catch the problem. Or maybe things have
> >> gotten MUCH worse since I last took the tests. Those
> >> are the kinds of things you think about.
> >
> > If you feel you need to do this, there are phobia
> > centers around the
country
> > which are quite good. People meet in groups. I believe
> > they have a high success rate.
> >
> > Bill
>
> I would like to find one, actually. My therapist is quite
> good, but I find that that's not quite enough. It would
> help to meet regularly with regular people who have
> anxiety or phobia. I can't find a group in my area, though
> (Portland, Oregon). The only group I'm aware of (reading
> about it in a book) is Phobease.
>
> Preston

Anxiety Disorders Support Group Legacy Mt. Hood Medical
Center 24880 SE Stark St. Gresham, OR 97030
(503) 661-9287

Bill

[Preston Crawfor]

> "Preston Crawford" <me@prestoncrawford.com> wrote in message
> news:slrncdpb0q.ce7.me@serpentor.cobrala...

>> >
>> > "Preston Crawford" <me@prestoncrawford.com> wrote in
>> > message news:slrncdlq83.6mm.me@serpentor.cobrala...

>> >> > I have no idea why you would be afraid to exercise
>> >> > given that you have
>> > passed
>> >> > all those tests and you already exercise with no ill
>> >> > effects. Does that
>> > not
>> >> > make sense to you? Why not increase the exercise
>> >> > slowly? But set
> specific
>> >> > goals. I think you should be more afraid to not
>> >> > exercise.
>> >>
>> >> I understand. Remember that anxiety isn't rational.
>> >> Otherwise I'd snap my fingers and it would go away and
>> >> I'd never worry about stuff like this. It's always
>> >> irrational, but based on things that have a footing in
>> >> the real world. So I feel a little off, feel some pain
>> >> and my anxiety takes over and runs with it. In the
>> >> back of my head I can't shake the idea that even
>> >> though I've had all those tests I could be THAT guy
>> >> for whom the tests don't catch the problem. Or maybe
>> >> things have gotten MUCH worse since I last took the
>> >> tests. Those are the kinds of things you think about.
>> >
>> > If you feel you need to do this, there are phobia
>> > centers around the
> country
>> > which are quite good. People meet in groups. I believe
>> > they have a high success rate.
>> >
>> > Bill
>>
>> I would like to find one, actually. My therapist is quite
>> good, but I find that that's not quite enough. It would
>> help to meet regularly with regular people who have
>> anxiety or phobia. I can't find a group in my area,
>> though (Portland, Oregon). The only group I'm aware of
>> (reading about it in a book) is Phobease.
>>
>> Preston
>
> Anxiety Disorders Support Group Legacy Mt. Hood Medical
> Center 24880 SE Stark St. Gresham, OR 97030
> (503) 661-9287
>
> Bill

Wow. Thank you!!! I'll look into it.

Preston