The Health, Diet and Exercise Thread

[Jambo]

Yesterday I visited my designated Optician for my post operative cataract assessment on my right eye. That involves an assessment as to how the eye has healed following the operation and also how successful the operation has been to my overall vision.

As the form he had to complete and return to the Jubilee Eye Hospital only referred to my right eye I was surprised when he did the usual range of tests on both eyes. 

As expected he started with my right eye being the one that had the cataract removed. lots of different tests that, when completed, he moved onto the left eye. The first screen he asked me to read with my left eye was the one with several lines of random letters with each line smaller than the one above.

"Can you read any of the letters in the top line?" he asked? I replied

"I can read all the letters in the bottom line." and I did just that much to his amazement as this was the line with the smallest letters. 

He was genuinely astonished frantically reading my most recent prescription results. He actually included the word "miraculous" in his response.

I felt really bad when I re-engaged my brain and responded 

"Well, I am wearing a contact lens in my left eye!"

How was I to know he would be testing both eyes? 🤣 

 

[Glasseye]

22 minutes ago, Jambo said:

Yesterday I visited my designated Optician for my post operative cataract assessment on my right eye. That involves an assessment as to how the eye has healed following the operation and also how successful the operation has been to my overall vision.

As the form he had to complete and return to the Jubilee Eye Hospital only referred to my right eye I was surprised when he did the usual range of tests on both eyes. 

As expected he started with my right eye being the one that had the cataract removed. lots of different tests that, when completed, he moved onto the left eye. The first screen he asked me to read with my left eye was the one with several lines of random letters with each line smaller than the one above.

"Can you read any of the letters in the top line?" he asked? I replied

"I can read all the letters in the bottom line." and I did just that much to his amazement as this was the line with the smallest letters. 

He was genuinely astonished frantically reading my most recent prescription results. He actually included the word "miraculous" in his response.

I felt really bad when I re-engaged my brain and responded 

"Well, I am wearing a contact lens in my left eye!"

How was I to know he would be testing both eyes? 🤣 

 

 

Rock on either way mate. you have a lot of positive ahead of you mate. Just keep on keepin on. Dig it !

[Golfingboy]

Going for breakfast & groceries soon, but this is a new low for me during the last 2 years. Just didn’t feel like eating Saturday, wasn’t hungry. Belly is 50.5 inches, hips 46

Now a big decision….have 8 hamburger buns nearing expiry, also have 3 lbs boneless chicken breasts defrosted . The one damn week I wanted to make burgers , nobody has even regular ground beef under $8.50/lb, bad luck I guess. But one spot has pork for $2.39. Or maybe I just make chicken burgers ? 
Oh and the battery is dying on my scale, got to pick up a CR2032, they are so versatile , the size of a nickel 

 

Edited December 14, 2025 by Golfingboy

[Glasseye]

2 minutes ago, Golfingboy said:

Going for breakfast & groceries soon, but this is a new low for me during the last 2 years. Just didn’t feel like eating Saturday, wasn’t hungry. Belly is 50.5 inches, hips 46

Now a big decision….have 8 hamburger buns nearing expiry, also have 3 lbs boneless chicken breasts defrosted . The one damn week I wanted to make burgers , nobody has even regular ground beef under $8.50/lb, bad luck I guess. But one spot has pork for $2.39. Or maybe I just make chicken burgers ? 
Oh and the battery is dying on my scale, guy to pick up a CR2032, they are so versatile , the size of a nickel 

 

 

Throw the scale into your bin. Just watch the belt. Punch new holes in the belt and you know you are making progress. 

[Golfingboy]

5 minutes ago, Glasseye said:

 

Throw the scale into your bin. Just watch the belt. Punch new holes in the belt and you know you are making progress. 

Absolutely ! Like I’ve said before , the waist is really stubborn to shrink. Even if I’m being anal about the numbers, I am sure it’s an age thing, I’m not even working out yet but seen many videos where older trainers say it only gets harder to “lose the pouch “ after 50

But Brad as much as I was a freaking savage in the gym  when I was 19-22, I just don’t have the desire to lift anymore? Sounds weird huh? 

[Glasseye]

Just now, Golfingboy said:

Absolutely ! Like I’ve said before , the waist is really stubborn to shrink. Even if I’m being anal about the numbers, I am sure it’s an age thing, I’m not even working out yet but seen many videos where older trainers say it only gets harder to “lose the pouch “ after 50

But Brad as much as I was a freaking savage in the gym  when I was 19-22, I just don’t have the desire to lift anymore? Sounds weird huh? 

 

I primarily walk/bike anymore (lately twice a day. Mornings are very nice during this period here). Very little lifting. But I go back and get on a roll every now and then.

 

Belly fat is really hard to get rid of. First though you'll lose the "love handles". When those start to go down you know you are making progress.

[Butch]

5 minutes ago, Golfingboy said:

Absolutely ! Like I’ve said before , the waist is really stubborn to shrink. Even if I’m being anal about the numbers, I am sure it’s an age thing, I’m not even working out yet but seen many videos where older trainers say it only gets harder to “lose the pouch “ after 50

But Brad as much as I was a freaking savage in the gym  when I was 19-22, I just don’t have the desire to lift anymore? Sounds weird huh? 

It is harder, especially visceral fat. There are supplements available in the same shops that sell protein whey which are known as fat burners, they're natural ingredients which (claim to) have a thermogenic effect, and help to burn off the harder fat. Whether or not they work is anyone's guess. Years ago I used a product called "Sida Cordifolia" by Reflex Nutrition which actually worked, but it got pulled from the shelves in the UK due to having some questionable ingredients.

2 minutes ago, Glasseye said:

 

I primarily walk/bike anymore (lately twice a day. Mornings are very nice during this period here). Very little lifting. But I go back and get on a roll every now and then.

 

Belly fat is really hard to get rid of. First though you'll lose the "love handles". When those start to go down you know you are making progress.

I'm becoming a walking addict these days, my 5km time wasn't getting any better and my knee is starting to give me a bit of gyp, so I've binned off going for 5km / 10km runs and just do a mixture of fast walking and very gentle jogging. I'm seeing exactly the same results (weight management / slight loss) without having to sit on the sofa for an hour with an ice pack on my leg.

Seems also to shift the belly fat a bit quicker - maybe it's my body telling me I'm doing it right. 

 

[Golfingboy]

9 minutes ago, Glasseye said:

 

I primarily walk/bike anymore (lately twice a day. Mornings are very nice during this period here). Very little lifting. But I go back and get on a roll every now and then.

 

Belly fat is really hard to get rid of. First though you'll lose the "love handles". When those start to go down you know you are making progress.

They also talk about the dangerous visceral fat around our organs , so maybe that’s dropped for me. I’m not being negative, actually I am happy where I’m at . Diet isn’t perfect, I’m having seasonal depression & not getting out much, but my weight is still dropping .
 

God did bless me with good size, and it’s also the reason I am happy I never touched steroids. Seen some bodybuilders, who shrink to less than the size they were, when STILL NATURAL ! Even if I joined a gym tomorrow, the strength would be way down but my arms are almost where they were at 23. Still want to get that 315 bench I never completed, but what’s the point at 50+ ? Just want to be healthy 

[Glasseye]

7 minutes ago, Golfingboy said:

They also talk about the dangerous visceral fat around our organs , so maybe that’s dropped for me. I’m not being negative, actually I am happy where I’m at . Diet isn’t perfect, I’m having seasonal depression & not getting out much, but my weight is still dropping .
 

God did bless me with good size, and it’s also the reason I am happy I never touched steroids. Seen some bodybuilders, who shrink to less than the size they were, when STILL NATURAL ! Even if I joined a gym tomorrow, the strength would be way down but my arms are almost where they were at 23. Still want to get that 315 bench I never completed, but what’s the point at 50+ ? Just want to be healthy 

 

Yes.... I almost mentioned that in my last post (visceral fat). That is something that we don't notice.

But that is the stuff that contributes the most to chronic illnesses and death.    Absolutely

[Glasseye]

13 minutes ago, Butch said:

It is harder, especially visceral fat. There are supplements available in the same shops that sell protein whey which are known as fat burners, they're natural ingredients which (claim to) have a thermogenic effect, and help to burn off the harder fat. Whether or not they work is anyone's guess. Years ago I used a product called "Sida Cordifolia" by Reflex Nutrition which actually worked, but it got pulled from the shelves in the UK due to having some questionable ingredients.

I'm becoming a walking addict these days, my 5km time wasn't getting any better and my knee is starting to give me a bit of gyp, so I've binned off going for 5km / 10km runs and just do a mixture of fast walking and very gentle jogging. I'm seeing exactly the same results (weight management / slight loss) without having to sit on the sofa for an hour with an ice pack on my leg.

Seems also to shift the belly fat a bit quicker - maybe it's my body telling me I'm doing it right. 

 

 

Good for you mate. Yes, running is awful for your joints. And what good is exercise if you're in pain and can't function.

Walking is the way to go. Load up a backpack with extra weight and you get just as much (or more) calorie burn as running. 

Forget any additives or whey or creatine or anything. Just proper hydration, good balanced diet with proper protein and fiber. Easy, safe and healthy.

[richy65]

40 minutes ago, Butch said:

It is harder, especially visceral fat. There are supplements available in the same shops that sell protein whey which are known as fat burners, they're natural ingredients which (claim to) have a thermogenic effect, and help to burn off the harder fat. Whether or not they work is anyone's guess. Years ago I used a product called "Sida Cordifolia" by Reflex Nutrition which actually worked, but it got pulled from the shelves in the UK due to having some questionable ingredients.

I'm becoming a walking addict these days, my 5km time wasn't getting any better and my knee is starting to give me a bit of gyp, so I've binned off going for 5km / 10km runs and just do a mixture of fast walking and very gentle jogging. I'm seeing exactly the same results (weight management / slight loss) without having to sit on the sofa for an hour with an ice pack on my leg.

Seems also to shift the belly fat a bit quicker - maybe it's my body telling me I'm doing it right. 

 

Slow long runs are very good for fat burning. Walking too, it’s all good just keep moving 

[richy65]

23 minutes ago, Glasseye said:

 

Good for you mate. Yes, running is awful for your joints. And what good is exercise if you're in pain and can't function.

Walking is the way to go. Load up a backpack with extra weight and you get just as much (or more) calorie burn as running. 

Forget any additives or whey or creatine or anything. Just proper hydration, good balanced diet with proper protein and fiber. Easy, safe and healthy.

I’m convinced creatine has been great for me since I started using it around 12 months ago

I use it as a recovery drink after every run and I get much less leg pain afterwards 

[Golfingboy]

23 minutes ago, Glasseye said:

 

Walking is the way to go. Load up a backpack with extra weight and you get just as much (or more) calorie burn as running. 

Forget any additives or whey or creatine or anything. Just proper hydration, good balanced diet with proper protein and fiber. Easy, safe and healthy.

This !lis very important ! Was rarely an issue for me , quite the opposite , I’d say I’ve had a dozen episodes in the last 10 years where I can’t wait an hour, need a toilet ASAP

But I don’t know what happened last week…inactivity, poor diet, whatever ….I was on the bowl , I felt a turd the size of a softball that needed to come out, but couldn’t get it started out. Even if I ended up being OK, I don’t like it, going to be Googling high fiber foods , maybe pick some up today

[Golfingboy]

1 hour ago, richy65 said:

I’m convinced creatine has been great for me since I started using it around 12 months ago

I use it as a recovery drink after every run and I get much less leg pain afterwards 

When I was lifting heavy in the late 90’s, creatine was the new miracle supplement . We were taught to do a loading phase, then maintain . Also my buddy always insisted we had to use actual Welch grape juice to absorb it , not the cheaper frozen mix. 
 

Now I don’t know if it’s just because I was out of the gym so long , but I heard ZERO about creatine between 2000 and COVID. Now everyone is talking about how great it is, and I know the difference between rumours and BS hype….if enough people swear by a substance or a routine, chances are it’s good

AND here’s a funny fact….was just saying how I never benched 315. Well at 23 or so, just before I moved 3,500 km away from my folks , I had a night at our local gym, where everything felt great . Did 255x8, with no spotter , was probably good for 10 reps & would have done 315….well I realize now that was the last time I loaded up on creatine ! 
 

Coincidence ? I think not

Edited December 14, 2025 by Golfingboy

[Glasseye]

1 hour ago, Golfingboy said:

This !lis very important ! Was rarely an issue for me , quite the opposite , I’d say I’ve had a dozen episodes in the last 10 years where I can’t wait an hour, need a toilet ASAP

But I don’t know what happened last week…inactivity, poor diet, whatever ….I was on the bowl , I felt a turd the size of a softball that needed to come out, but couldn’t get it started out. Even if I ended up being OK, I don’t like it, going to be Googling high fiber foods , maybe pick some up today

 

It's a mixed bag mate. The older you get the more uncertain your bowls will become. A simple fact of aging. And yes.... at times it can become very unpleasant. 

[Glasseye]

1 hour ago, richy65 said:

I’m convinced creatine has been great for me since I started using it around 12 months ago

I use it as a recovery drink after every run and I get much less leg pain afterwards 

If it works for you then cool.   👍

[Golfingboy]

40 minutes ago, Glasseye said:

 

It's a mixed bag mate. The older you get the more uncertain your bowls will become. A simple fact of aging. And yes.... at times it can become very unpleasant. 

Yup, at least if I barfined from Boyztown over the years, I could comprehend having a loose sphincter pushing 50. But ladies only for this guy! 
 

There was that one time up by you in CM that I was on a 12 hour bender , and considered doing something with the 5’10 LB I shot pool with at my GF’s bar…

Its 16 years ago, I can laugh about it now , let’s just say Brad it was a good thing the days are the same length all year in Thailand , and the sunshine on the rooftop at 6:00 am woke me the f—k up 😂😂😂

Damn I’m happy I drink very sparingly now

Is that one still open, do you know ? Lucky Bar near the moat? Use to be open later than Spicy, then at dawn if we were still going we’d visit the roof. Like I said, the “imperfections” you see under sunshine vs a dark bar….

[Yessongs]

14 hours ago, Glasseye said:

 

Good for you mate. Yes, running is awful for your joints. And what good is exercise if you're in pain and can't function.

Walking is the way to go. Load up a backpack with extra weight and you get just as much (or more) calorie burn as running. 

Forget any additives or whey or creatine or anything. Just proper hydration, good balanced diet with proper protein and fiber. Easy, safe and healthy.

Well not everyone has joint problems, knee problems, hip problems etc. I am 70 and still run 2-3 times a week on the treadmill and have absolutely zero issues....I personally have never felt like walking gets my heart rate up, the way jogging does. Weight training for me is still a priority....despite what others say about it. Not everyone is cut from the same cloth. 

14 hours ago, richy65 said:

Slow long runs are very good for fat burning. Walking too, it’s all good just keep moving 

Spot on assessment....good to see that you are consistent, that is the key, unlike others who make alot of excuses for doing what they do. 

[Glasseye]

6 hours ago, Yessongs said:

Well not everyone has joint problems, knee problems, hip problems etc. I am 70 and still run 2-3 times a week on the treadmill and have absolutely zero issues....I personally have never felt like walking gets my heart rate up, the way jogging does. Weight training for me is still a priority....despite what others say about it. Not everyone is cut from the same cloth. 

Spot on assessment....good to see that you are consistent, that is the key, unlike others who make alot of excuses for doing what they do. 

You make a good point regarding heart rate.

 

I have sciatica in lower back so running would probably aggravate it more than it already is.  

[Golfingboy]

[richy65]

Short early run around Lamai. Feeling heavy and sluggish 

[Glasseye]

5 hours ago, richy65 said:

Short early run around Lamai. Feeling heavy and sluggish 

 

I felt very shitty the other day. Started to convince myself to "rest" on the couch (the devil shoulder). Then the angel shoulder started to jabber in my ear and said - "get off your fat ass mother fcuker". I then proceeded to drag my ass for an hour walk. Glad I did.

Will, priority, sacrifice - the rubber meets the road.

[richy65]

Hired a bike to do a bit of cycling around Lamai. Some stunning scenery just outside the town 

[galenkia]

I work on my own on the mezzanine floor at work, so I was certainly up and down stairs a lot today.😀

[Glasseye]

1 hour ago, galenkia said:

I work on my own on the mezzanine floor at work, so I was certainly up and down stairs a lot today.😀

 

I do a short step routine about twice a week on an overpass over route 108 in Hang Dong. When I reach the top I have a brilliant view of the cloudy (or smoke covered. lol) mountain. It is a wonderful view.

But.... those steps are sharp, small and often slick. If/when I ever go down, it very well may be on those steps. But until I do it is a great workout and really gets the heart pumping.

Always get soaking wet (even when not raining). If you don't get wet you ain't achieving much.