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Danger of Overdoing
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- Written by: Healthysport
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Ernest Hemingway once wrote: The hardest lesson I have had to learn as an adult is the relentless need to keep going, no matter how broken I feel inside.
Ezekiel 34:11-16
11 “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.
12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.
13 I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines, and in all the settlements in the land.
14 I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land and feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.
15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord.
16 I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.”
I must have been extremely exhausted yesterday. After skipping dinner because I had consumed more carbohydrates at lunch than expected the day before, after having only a sandwich following my morning walk/jog, after sleeping fewer hours than ideal, and after taking my diabetic medication, I worked for nearly three hours before finally eating a proper meal at around 4 PM—because I had to cook my late lunch. My body, overwhelmed by all these factors, shut down, and I went straight to bed. Though I woke up sporadically to use the bathroom, I forced myself to eat dinner before taking my nightly medication. After that, I continued sleeping on and off until this morning.
Knowing myself, I immediately started overthinking about how I could modify or redesign my lifestyle to avoid such extreme exhaustion. I reflected on my relentless walking and jogging routine since recovering from my knee injury. According to my watch, I had been doing it for 15 days in a row. I usually spend over two hours walking, including driving time, and I keep pushing myself to meet personal expectations—only to fail miserably due to exhaustion, lack of direction, and a deficiency in self-control.
The real issue is that my intense workouts are depleting the energy I need for other important aspects of life. Fatigue robs me of the joy I could otherwise experience. Most experts suggest that a 30-minute workout is sufficient for a man my age, yet I dedicate two hours. My approach is excessive, and I now realize that this might be more harmful than being sedentary. Moderation is key.
So today, I will skip walking and jogging. When I resume, I will optimize my workouts without overextending myself. I also wonder why I always favor cardio over resistance training. I know I dislike going to the gym; the lack of lighting, the monotony of the equipment, and the crowd make me feel suffocated. I have bought weights and resistance bands for strength training at home, but the call of the outdoors always takes precedence. I love nature, and yet, at some point, I must learn to temper this love.
I am overthinking again. The reason I retired at 62—earlier than the conventional retirement age—was to escape the daily grind of an eight-hour job that had lost its appeal. Any profession, after 35 years, inevitably becomes routine, and it must either evolve or be replaced to retain its allure. Unfortunately, I failed to advance in my field, not for lack of opportunity, but because my interests expanded beyond my profession.
I love blogging, reading, programming, web design, and recently, I’ve discovered a passion for video editing. And, of course, I love walking—sometimes to the point of exhaustion. These activities bring me more fulfillment than spending another decade trying to satisfy patients, negotiating, arguing, and sometimes even pleading. I have done that for 34 years. I cannot imagine continuing until 70, only to end up with medical problems that confine me to my home—or worse, to a nursing facility.
Some people are fortunate enough to love their jobs so much that they wake up excited to go to work, finding immense joy in their profession every single day. I am not one of them.
Right now, I am enjoying my daily routine. I meditate, walk or jog, and work for at least two hours. In the afternoons, I blog, sharing thoughts that my chatterbox mind eagerly throws at an audience—an audience that, understandably, does not exist. But I feel blessed by these activities, believing they are gifts from God that I must continue pursuing.
The risk, however, is exactly what I have been discussing—the risk of overdoing things. Sometimes, we love an activity so much that we lose control. In my case, it is my love of nature, walking, and running (if only I could run indefinitely!). But even good things must be moderated, as anything done in excess can become harmful.
One way to determine whether an activity is becoming obsessive or addictive is by evaluating its impact. When it leads to exhaustion—when even the mere sight of a bed feels like paradise—it signals a problem. In moments like these, I drop everything and surrender to the bliss of rest. I often tell people that rest is just as crucial as exercise.
That said, I refuse to become sedentary just because I plan to cut back on excessive workouts. Instead, I find lighter substitutes. I notice the house needs cleaning. The plants need watering. The yard requires attention. There are always ways to stay active without draining myself completely. It is simply a matter of recognizing tasks that I can attend to without overexertion.
Today, I will skip my walk/jog, but as I glance at my yard, I realize that my plants haven’t been watered for weeks. Some grass needs trimming. My ever-growing book collection needs organizing—I am, after all, a book lover. I also need to continue my web projects, particularly one I am eager to complete: a website generated entirely by AI. I will discuss this project in more detail in a future blog post.
The Balancing Act
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- Written by: Healthysport
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There are times when my body is trying to tell me something. Since last week, it has been sending me one clear message: discomfort. First, it was back pain, then yesterday, my right knee started acting up again, and this morning, my left buttock joined in. If there’s one thing this tells me, it’s that at 62, I am overdoing it again. I know I have a tendency to push myself too far, caught up in the joy of staying active. I am grateful for my enthusiasm, but while my spirit remains willing, my body is reminding me of its limitations. This is exactly what I was talking about yesterday: while I criticize the passive, technology-driven lifestyle that leads to unhealthy bodies, I must also acknowledge the dangers of the opposite extreme—overexertion. I find myself on that end of the spectrum, and it’s time to slow down.
The truth is, getting older is no fun. Aging requires a careful balancing act—one that keeps us centered, striving for moderation and the middle ground. Our bodies are built to maintain balance at all times. When we sit, stand, or move, an intricate system of muscles, joints, neurological signals, and sensory feedback works together to counteract gravity and keep us upright. Any injury or condition affecting one of these components can disrupt that balance, leading to falls, pain, and a decline in overall function. Pain, weakness, loss of sensation, impaired proprioception, injury, and disease can all compromise the body’s integrity. Our job is to carefully manage our systems to avoid these negative consequences.
Medical experts and scientists consistently emphasize the importance of balance: a mix of cardio and strength training, a well-rounded diet, stress management, a blend of socialization and solitude, and a rhythm of work and rest. Life is a continuous balancing act, one that persists until the day we fade away.
Despite my awareness, I am not immune to mistakes and excesses. That’s why I listen when my body speaks. Right now, it’s telling me to ease up. We have seen the consequences of imbalance time and time again. Excess carbohydrates contribute to high blood sugar and increase the risk of diabetes. Too much salt elevates blood pressure and can lead to kidney damage and heart disease. Extreme sports can result in severe injuries or even death. Chronic stress leads to burnout and mental breakdowns. Excess fat raises cholesterol levels and increases the risk of vascular diseases. Overconsumption of alcohol and nicotine leads to addiction and organ damage. Even something as simple as overeating can result in obesity, which is linked to numerous serious health conditions. Furthermore, the chemicals and preservatives found in processed foods are associated with various cancers.
My personal concerns extend beyond physical well-being. I am wary of the modern trend of Big Tech promoting excessive social media engagement, which may lead to an entirely new set of health problems that will only become fully apparent in the future. The human body and mind were not designed for prolonged exposure to digital stimuli at the cost of physical and cognitive well-being.
However, the problem does not lie in the things we create—whether it’s food, entertainment, technology, or sports. The real issue is how we manage them. Chinese, French, and Italian cuisines are culinary marvels until we overindulge. Social media is an incredible tool until we prioritize it over our real-world responsibilities and relationships. Sports are fantastic until we push our bodies beyond their limits. Relationships are vital, but associating with toxic individuals can be detrimental. AI has its advantages, but allowing it to take over our lives while we remain passive is a recipe for decline. Life, at its core, is about balance.
Our physical balance is a perfect analogy for this principle. The body maintains equilibrium through a complex interplay of muscle activation, joint stability, and neurological coordination. The moment I rise from a chair, gravity exerts its force, and my muscles respond instinctively to keep me upright. If I am pushed, my body reacts immediately to stabilize itself and prevent a fall. This balancing act happens constantly, whether we are aware of it or not.
Yet, imbalances creep in over time. Sitting for prolonged periods tightens the hip flexors while weakening the back muscles. High heels shorten the calf muscles and strain the ankles. Increased abdominal girth—whether from obesity or pregnancy—alters posture and shifts the spine’s alignment. Congenital issues like scoliosis or conditions like arthritis, stroke, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease all impact the body’s ability to maintain balance.
Given these realities, it is imperative for people—especially those of us who are aging—to take a proactive approach in managing body imbalances. This responsibility extends to everyone. A well-balanced diet helps prevent diabetes, heart disease, circulatory issues, and even certain types of cancer. Proper work-rest cycles allow the body to recuperate and remain functional. Managing stress through relaxation techniques can reduce the risk of stress-related illnesses. Most importantly, maintaining a physically balanced body helps prevent many of the issues I’ve discussed.
Here are a few key recommendations for maintaining balance in life:
- Eat a well-balanced diet – Ensure an appropriate proportion of proteins, carbohydrates, fibers, and healthy fats. Avoid excess sugars, salts, unhealthy fats, alcohol, nicotine, and unnecessary drugs. Even health supplements should be consumed in moderation and with proper guidance.
- Counteract a sedentary lifestyle – Engage in moderate physical activity, balancing cardiovascular exercises with strength training. Regular movement helps maintain muscle tone, flexibility, and endurance.
- Prioritize cognitive health – Keep your brain active by engaging in continuous learning, reading, problem-solving, and creative activities. Mental stimulation is as crucial as physical exercise in maintaining long-term well-being.
- Manage stress effectively – Incorporate meditation, deep breathing exercises, or mindfulness techniques into daily life. Surround yourself with positive environments and distance yourself from toxic people and situations.
- Get enough rest – Sleep is crucial for recovery and maintaining optimal body functions. Aim for a consistent sleep schedule to allow your body and mind to recharge.
- Listen to your body – Recognize when it’s time to push forward and when it’s time to slow down. Pain, fatigue, and discomfort are signals that should not be ignored.
- Strike a balance in all aspects of life – Balance socialization with solitude, work with relaxation, ambition with contentment, and consumption with moderation. Excess in any area leads to imbalance, and imbalance leads to problems.
As I reflect on my own experiences, I recognize that maintaining equilibrium is a lifelong pursuit. It requires conscious effort, continuous adjustment, and the willingness to heed the messages our bodies send us. While aging may come with its challenges, it also brings wisdom—the understanding that life’s greatest strength lies in balance.
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