A few months ago, I wrote an entry about how I was developing intermittent numbness in my hands, and imagining what it would be like to not be able to play guitar (I was already starting to have trouble). For those of you who happened to read the post, I will admit this: I WAS SCARED SHITLESS!!! But it scared me enough to turn my life around, so I thought I’d give an update about the changes I’ve made in my life:
- I cut down on the portions I eat at each meal. In fact, I started eating breakfast, so I wouldn’t have a voracious appetite at lunch; speaking of which, I’m still too lazy to bring lunch every day, so I eat out a lot at lunch, but I order far less now, and order things that have either a salad or are vegetarian. No fried foods, and very little red meat (that was a real tough one). In other words, I’m really eating healthy now.
- Went to see my cardiologist who just flat out said, “Your heart is fine, and the numbness you feel and your shortness of breath are because you’re out of shape and overweight. But you don’t have heart disease, so it’s your hands to correct your situation.” So I got back on my heart med (I have a genetic defect – minor problem), and cholesterol med. I’ve also been taking daily doses of fish oil pills.
- I’m now working out! I am the proud owner a gym-quality exercise bike that a friend gave to me, and I ride it least once a day 6 days a week, and twice a day 3 times a week. I’m also playing soccer once a week with my mates at work.
The net is that I’m feeling better than I have in 10 years. I’m not dozing off in the middle of the day due to inactivity, and I now have this constant overall feeling of well-being.
What does this have to do with my guitar playing? Well, I seem to have found my creative spark again, and am writing music. The numbness episodes are A LOT less frequent, and when I get them, it’s a signal for me to get on the bike or take a walk and be active to get my blood flowing.
I have to tell you that I’m totally jazzed! I feel as if I have a new lease on life, and maybe it’s me, but there seems to be a difference in how I’m approaching my music now. It took a scare to kick me in the ass, but I get it now.
Okay… time to hit the exercise bike and do my situps!
Guitar Gear 