Alligatorob's Diary
- Thread starter alligatorob
- Start date
alligatorob
Respected Member
Yesterday was a better day, ate too much for my evening snack, but I'm going to say no binge. Got in some good exercise and felt fine last night.
Totaled up my gym hours for the week, 15 or an average of 3 hours a day. That counts everything warm up, physical therapy harder exercises, stretching etc. It may not sound like it but I know I am spending a little less time in the gym, intentionally. It seems to help with my weight lifting, all but my right shoulder in push, are going up in weight and/or reps. I am also doing the serious lifting early in the gym time, I think that helps.
I believe I lost most of that strength in a couple of week period. At the same time the same arm is getting stronger with respect to lat pull downs, triceps, and rows, the pull things. Bicep curls are a little weaker, but not so much. Anything like an overhead press or side raise is way down. My left arm and shoulder are fine, no strength loss there and for the first time in my life much stronger than my right. The therapist suggested I try becoming left handed, in jest of course.
At the same time my pain is better, maybe half what it was when I started the physical therapy. So I am thinking the PT was successful, unfortunately something new is happening... My therapist kind of agrees, but she is concerned about the weakness thing. I have no more PT appointments, will wait and see what the neurosurgeon says and decide what to do next. And my therapist, the best one so far, is now on maternity leave for 3 months... So if I want to continue I will need to find an new one. I do plan to keep the PT exercises she taught me up, unless the surgeon says not to, and I think that is unlikely.
I see the neurosurgeon on Wednesday, appointments here are not too hard to get. I sure hope he suggests something other than surgery...
Totaled up my gym hours for the week, 15 or an average of 3 hours a day. That counts everything warm up, physical therapy harder exercises, stretching etc. It may not sound like it but I know I am spending a little less time in the gym, intentionally. It seems to help with my weight lifting, all but my right shoulder in push, are going up in weight and/or reps. I am also doing the serious lifting early in the gym time, I think that helps.
Thanks Llama, I am definitely losing, or lost strength, these are the measurements the physical therapist made, about 6 weeks apart. I think the units are pounds.
| Beginning | End | |
| Flexion | 15.5 | 8.0 |
| Abduction | 13.5 | 6.5 |
| External Rotation | 19.5 | 16.5 |
| Internal Rotation | 35.0 | 24.5 |
At the same time my pain is better, maybe half what it was when I started the physical therapy. So I am thinking the PT was successful, unfortunately something new is happening... My therapist kind of agrees, but she is concerned about the weakness thing. I have no more PT appointments, will wait and see what the neurosurgeon says and decide what to do next. And my therapist, the best one so far, is now on maternity leave for 3 months... So if I want to continue I will need to find an new one. I do plan to keep the PT exercises she taught me up, unless the surgeon says not to, and I think that is unlikely.
I see the neurosurgeon on Wednesday, appointments here are not too hard to get. I sure hope he suggests something other than surgery...
alligatorob
Respected Member
Today was a good day, started our peach brandy today. Picked about 120 lbs of very ripe peaches. After a long day of processing they are now all fermenting. Took more capacity than I expected, kind of took over my office kitchen. Should be about a week until its ready for distillation. Funny thing after picking and processing all those peaches I didn't eat a one. Will go pick more tomorrow.
I hope so too, but I guess it is what it is... We'll see.
Much as I hate losing the strength I am glad I have been working out, I am probably stronger even after this. The therapist said that actually my strength measures looked fine, but the rapid decrease doesn't. Yes it was caught pretty quickly, a combination of a good therapist and luck.
Thanks Cate, I know this kind of spinal surgery is much less traumatic than the knee surgery was, but I still don't want it. Just have to wait and see what happens.I hope you don't need surgery, Rob. I'll keep my fingers crossed
alligatorob
Respected Member
So far so good this morning, but I sure am tempted, maybe I need to go mow the lawn or something...
Turbo yeast is a special strain of yeast that can tolerate high levels of alcohol, sometimes up to 24%. It's a blend of distillers yeast and nutrients that are designed to maximize the speed and quality of fermentation. Turbo yeast is often used to produce beer and wine with a higher alcohol content than traditional brewing yeasts. It can produce alcohol in as little as 24 hours.
Turbo yeast is different from normal bakers yeast, which shouldn't be used at all for making alcohol. With turbo yeast, you can get 50 – 100% more alcohol from the same distillation compared to baker's yeast.
Fermentation can take as little as 3 days if you are using a fast-acting yeast and the temperature is ideal. In cooler weather, it can take up to 7 days.
For wine it does take longer, I use different yeast and the flavor is more complex. For something to be distilled all you want is the alcohol and some of the peach taste that comes across. No need to worry about clarity, settling or aging. I use turbo yeast for distillation, but not for wine. From Google's new Generative AI thingie:
Turbo yeast is a special strain of yeast that can tolerate high levels of alcohol, sometimes up to 24%. It's a blend of distillers yeast and nutrients that are designed to maximize the speed and quality of fermentation. Turbo yeast is often used to produce beer and wine with a higher alcohol content than traditional brewing yeasts. It can produce alcohol in as little as 24 hours.
Turbo yeast is different from normal bakers yeast, which shouldn't be used at all for making alcohol. With turbo yeast, you can get 50 – 100% more alcohol from the same distillation compared to baker's yeast.
Fermentation can take as little as 3 days if you are using a fast-acting yeast and the temperature is ideal. In cooler weather, it can take up to 7 days.
Oh no! I can't even imagine. Lovely delicious peaches and not eating even one nice and fresh! But I guess you've already enjoyed a few off the tree...
yes for sure--so good you've been looking after yourself. i always think when we come up against health issues, much better to have gone in with a body well-cared for--it will always help us deal with whatever comes our way!
alligatorob
Respected Member
Today could have been better, calories on the high side, but no binge. So I think I will declare success!
Well I did have some of our peaches today, but in a cobbler a neighbor made, gave back a few of the peaches we gave her.
For me I think it also helps me to get things delt with more quickly. When I was much more overweight I'd avoid the doctor and just tell myself that whatever it was I could fix it by losing weight. Once I finally did it did help with some things, but not others. For example I think it made my knees hurt more, I was using them...
I have never gotten over 20%, but that's still pretty high. Had to laugh about the AI thing, people always fear new technology, have been since the wheel was invented and before. We'll just learn to live with it, and probably benefit. As my actual intelligence slips away I think some of the artificial stuff might help.
Yeah, it kind of is. The apricot brandy is 65% (130 proof). You can always dilute. Only got a couple of liters of the apricot, we should soon have a lot more of the peach.
Cate
Long term member
It's like everything else really. Moderation is the key. G bought some whisky-infused apricots the other day. They were almost $20 a jar & he thought it was jam. That is an expensive jam but I have had some as jam, by squishing it on a piece of toast & I had to admit it's delicious.
You could do the same. That would be yummy, although I really love apricots any which way.
alligatorob
Respected Member
Today was a good day, I ate well, exercised and feel good tonight. Split my exercise into two different sessions today, early morning and afternoon. I think it helped me get less tired.
I am tracking my knee and leg strength, it is still not back to where it was before surgery. About a year before surgery I could do 190 lbs on the leg press, with lots of reps. Today I got to 165, a post op high. Big difference is pain, pre surgery it was so bad I quit doing leg presses for almost a year. Now little pain, just not a strong as before. I've had a couple of physical therapists tell me it is hard to ever regain full leg strength after the surgery. Not that my strength is bad, its just not what it was...
Whisky-infused apricots sound really good. Too late to make any this year, apricot season has come and gone, now it's peaches.
I am tracking my knee and leg strength, it is still not back to where it was before surgery. About a year before surgery I could do 190 lbs on the leg press, with lots of reps. Today I got to 165, a post op high. Big difference is pain, pre surgery it was so bad I quit doing leg presses for almost a year. Now little pain, just not a strong as before. I've had a couple of physical therapists tell me it is hard to ever regain full leg strength after the surgery. Not that my strength is bad, its just not what it was...
Yep, moderation in all things... including moderation. Isn't that the original quote? I am not drinking much of the apricot brandy, my wife consumes more than I. But I do enjoy it when I have it.
Whisky-infused apricots sound really good. Too late to make any this year, apricot season has come and gone, now it's peaches.
We classically have apricots, plums, or raisins in rum. Or really here people just had their Rumtopf, into which they'd toss whatever fruit they couldn't use in the moment and didn't want to waste. Peaches are a little large but slices would probably work if they aren't fall-apart ripe.
That sounds good to have a little break in between when your sessions are so long.
alligatorob
Respected Member
Well I binged yesterday... but so far today is good.
Went to the surgeon about my neck/shoulder problem. He said I probably will need surgery, but it was worth trying physical therapy for a few more weeks. So I will, and stay optimistic. He said it was a bad idea to wait too long for the surgery, the weakness could become permanent... But he thought a month or two more would not hurt much and might work. If the weakness gets worse he said to call back right away and schedule surgery. Scheduling surgery only takes about 2 weeks.
Went to the surgeon about my neck/shoulder problem. He said I probably will need surgery, but it was worth trying physical therapy for a few more weeks. So I will, and stay optimistic. He said it was a bad idea to wait too long for the surgery, the weakness could become permanent... But he thought a month or two more would not hurt much and might work. If the weakness gets worse he said to call back right away and schedule surgery. Scheduling surgery only takes about 2 weeks.
Never heard of it until this, so I looked it up and it does sound good. Might consider doing it next year, maybe using some of the brandy instead of rum. Only concern I have is the sugar, the recipes I saw called for lots of it. I think it's just for taste, the alcohol content is high enough for preservation. May try it without the sugar... and if I do I'll have to figure out how to pronounce it.
Yeah, I think so. However today I will have physical therapy right before weight lifting, it was the only time I could get on short notice.
alligatorob
Respected Member
Just posted, missed the button Wednesday....
Today was a good food day, and I exercised and feel good tonight. Wish more days could be like this one.
I went to my first post bad news physical therapy, I have a new therapist, my old one is on maternity leave for 3 months. I like the new lady and she showed me some new things to try. I will give it my best, but it is beginning to sink in that surgery may be the only real option. If it is, then it is, I'll get through it...
My diary for Wednesday is gone now, but as I recall I was at about 1,500 calories and no binge.
Today was a good food day, and I exercised and feel good tonight. Wish more days could be like this one.
I went to my first post bad news physical therapy, I have a new therapist, my old one is on maternity leave for 3 months. I like the new lady and she showed me some new things to try. I will give it my best, but it is beginning to sink in that surgery may be the only real option. If it is, then it is, I'll get through it...
Thanks, my fingers are crossed as well. Any PT advice you might have would be welcome. I think I have a good therapist, but more ideas are a good thing.
Yep, I will try my best, but also try not to be too disappointed if it doesn't work... My parts seem to be falling apart...
My diary for Wednesday is gone now, but as I recall I was at about 1,500 calories and no binge.