Before I say anything else, I want to be clear, I'm no one's role model. I'm not even remotely suggesting anyone ( intentionally ) follow in my shoes on just about anything. That's not my intention in making this post. The fact that that I'm just so wierd however, does prove to find some interesting facts that are quantifiable. The numbers don't lie.
What it is up for debate yet, I have some very strong ideas to go with these numbers. I think my ideas are at least worth exploring.
Today's visit was my official "ADHD check up" on the books, but the last time I saw him, I was in the worst part of the breakup: nervous system collapse, panic attack meds, antidepressants, depression, non functioning, insomnia, night terrors, GI tract ( front to back ) malfunctioning...the whole 9 yards. It was bad, and I was mess.
At my last visit, my statistics were as follows:
Weight 190lbs, blood pressure 130/90, blood oxygen 90%.....most other things normal except several elevated "red flags".
Today's stats ( after 75 consecutive days living outdoors ): Weight 173, blood pressure 111/70 ( on 20mg of Adderall ...my once daily dose ), Blood oxygen level = 95%.
I told the doctor what I was doing. Show him pictures and explained my situation briefly to him. I told him I've stopped taking everything except Adderall, I have no signs of depression, and generally feel I don't need them anymore. I did say, that I remembered the last thing he said ( last visit) to "take care of yourself ". He asked if I'm ever hungry ( not even food ). Nope. He asked if I was ever cold....also a big nope.
And the only concern I had was the fact that I haven't had a real bath or shower in close to 3 months. I use wipes on my body....but the trail spice is always there ( trail spice = dirt ). I showed him an injury on my shin, from walking into a projecting piece of metal ( at night ) that left a long scrape up and down my shin. It was definitely a "gonna leave a mark " moment and you know it ! In the moment, I didn't have everything I needed to dress it...so I just let it bleed and and didn't touch it. It scabbed over ( as is ) and I'm fine. Nothing to see here.
The doctor said to put some Vasaline on it, and call it good. But my point being, my lower legs were filthy dirty at the time. That layer of dirt, dust and sweat ( and what ever else ) was coating my lower legs especially since my body wipes are mostly focused on the parts that really need it most
What he said, I think is really interesting...about my concerns about being healthy and under bathing.
He said ( paraphrasing ): "we've been conditioned to over bathe. Humans have been living for centuries and not bathed very often, or at all, and have been just fine. Only the Kings and Queens bathed....the rest did without."
So the answer in short....under bathing has no negative health consequences...even when your dirty...as in, trail spice dirt. My main concern and answer to my question.
All of this is good news....but for me, I think there's more here than what statistics show.
In my height/weight/gender/age range...my "ideal" weight is 170lbs according to statistics. When I was training ( swimming) I weighed 170lbs....at age 18. I'm 3 pounds over right now, but I'm not intensely training for peak performance. I'm just moving around all day. Keeping busy, on my feet, lifting things, moving things....it's what I do all day but.....
I don't ever stop moving. That's the key. I've tricked my body ( unintentionally ) to think this will continue to happen ( which it will ) so my body adjusted accordingly...and a major shift occurred. My blood pressure hasn't been that low since my 30's, and my oxygen level is getting into the "excellent" category.
I still don't think that's it. The "moving part" that is. That's inside your body....but there's much more to it than that.
My mind always goes back to a story I've told on this forum before so I won't retell the the whole thing but just for context, it was my close friends father who invited me down stairs in his bar restaurant old building, unfinished basement, dark, dingy light, friends dad sitting behind a desk counting money ( putting them into piles ) him smoking, shotgun leaned against the wall, safe open in the corner....and he says to me: "never stop using your brain, when you stop using your brain is when you die."
He died in his sleep at age 94. He had no chronic illnesses ( terminal diagnosis ) at the time. He smoked and drank heavily...and spent most of his waking life inside a smokey bar. This guy is me hero ! Lol Not his behavior ....what he said. I believe he knew the key, and as a fatherly figure, was passing on the good word.
There's no denying his ending...and no, that doesn't mean he didn't have good genetics and a cast iron constitution. But he's not wrong about the "keep using it" part either.
And since your brain lives inside your body...they're both in it together...when one is moving...so is the other....right ?
I can only conclude one thing personally ...knowing myself all my life. When things are working well: in good physical condition, training etc. my ADHD symptoms were almost non existent. They only started to become a problem when I stopped moving my body ie: working out, swimming, running, bike training ( Triathlons ) ....when I bought my first bussiness at age 25. The "weekend warrior" approach finally failed. It wasn't enough. No tricking my body in two days.
That was more like....not moving most of the time 90%....then moving really hard for 10% on weekends. There's a whole lot of not moving in that scenario.
All I know....this feels really good to me. It feels exactly as it always felt except...no intense workouts for short duration. I just keep it at a comfortable pace, and not in a huge hurry to get there. But I don't stop...and I'm right where I should be as far as my physical health is concerned. The fact that I'm don't need the other meds and I feel really healthy and fit ( for my age )....I can't exactly explain but I think what I just said as a whole lot to do with it.
Despite being a little smelly and dirty which I really l don't mind. I know some people get more snelly than others. It's just me anyway ...who do I have to impress?
J
