This was an amazing day for me. I had my annual checkup with my cardiologist. I feel incredible cardio-wise and, thankfully, have no real issues to speak of with my heart. The doc (who hails from Lebanon -- I was once only 20 miles from his home when I was visiting the Israeli border) gave me a solid bill of health. One of the hardest things about growing older is believing in yourself and your body. Which makes me so grateful to the Lord for the doctor's confirmation that I'm on the right path as I get in my daily steps. Here were the results from today:
And for 2025 in general:
As you can see, the miles were nearly identical to the distance between DC and Los Angeles.
I have a follow-up appointment with the cardiologist for a stress test which he wants me to do because I'm 73. He says that men my age typically have some sort of plaque buildup in their heart and he just wants to be sure there isn't anything too major going on with my blood flow. On the other hand, he was pleased with my heart rate, my blood pressure, and my weight. And guess what? He gave me the green light to pursue my 2026 goals of climbing the alps and surfing in Hawaii. I was thrilled. As you know, this adventure junkie is always looking for the next challenge. He's found satisfaction in combining his passion for digging deep with his desire for pushing himself to the limit. So today's visit felt good. Yes, I know that people can die while, say, running. A few years ago a famous ultra runner died while running in New Mexico. His cause of death was cardiomyopathy -- an enlarged heart. These kinds of death are almost always due to some kind of pre-existing heart condition. But the truth is that fit men are half as likely to die of a heart attack than your typical couch potato. The odds are pretty good that running will lengthen your lifespan, not shorten it. Moreover, exercise gives you an extreme mental health boost -- a surefire way to ward off the depression that often comes with old age and life transitions. On the other hand, I don't need to remind you that obesity leads to many chronic and life-threatening medical conditions.
Basically my philosophy has always been that exercise is a gift from the Lord and is far, far better than lounging on the sofa eating Doritos every night. Like anything in life, you take a risk when you run a marathon or climb a 4,000-meter peak or surf waves in Hawaii. You have to find what you love to do and accept that there are risks.The alternative is to worry and fret about every little thing that can happen to you. I can't and I won't exist that way.
So ... what is your health-related New Year's resolution for 2026?
How are you planning on maintaining a balanced, healthy lifestyle?
Are you at a healthy weight for your body type?
Does your diet promote healthy eating?
Now's your chance to make some changes.
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Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and certainly not an expert in nutrition or exercise. In fact, I know very little about most things. For God's sake, be sure to consult your own doctor or nutritionist before making any significant changes in 2026.