The Healthy Thing I'm Most Ashamed Of (OT)

I'm sorry for the lack of focus around here lately—I'm doing the best I can. I've got a lot of stuff on my plate. It's a little overwhelming actually. Ever feel like you're behind on everything? That's how I feel. I've got a to-do list that's longer than my arm.

I'll just observe that making several lifestyle changes all at once is not the best way. I know people don't like specific (individualized) advice, but just a small tidbit of generalized advice: if you know you need to make changes in your life, get to it. Just begin. Don't wait till you have to do everything at once.

I'm suddenly on blood thinners, and using a CPAP at night, and trying to get back on my old diet after a year and a half and stop eating sugar, and starting exercising at the gym I just joined. And it's a lot all at once.

And the thing I'm most ashamed of? There's one more. I almost don't even want to mention it. I'm supposed to start wearing "support hose."

It's not that big a deal. They're just tight knee socks. I don't know why I'm so put off by a pair of socks, but I am. Evidently all the sludge in your body kind of moves down with gravity and collects in your feet and legs, and you're trying to give your heart a little boost in getting it going back upwards again. I find the term itself cringeworthy. Hose? Yeah, I know, hosiery. But gentlemen wore "hose" when they also wore knickers (or were they breeches?), and it's been a while since showing a little calf was sexy. The equivalent was showing a little ankle if you were a female. "Support hose" is the single most ancient-old-person-ish thing I can think of. White hair; false teeth; walkers; hearing aids, yeah yeah, but hey, white hair on a person can look good, and if you can't walk or hear, fine, you buck up and do what you have to and soldier on. None of those things seems quite as pathetic as "support hose."

OK, adult diapers maybe. I don't need those. Yet.

Maybe there should be a contest to think up a better name than "support hose." Maybe that particular bit of attire just has a bad PR agent. They ought to be called "vitality socks" or "heart-health socks" or something. There has to be a better name that would soften the insult a bit. Isn't indignity enough of a problem already?

I'll get over it. The socks are kinda comfortable if I'm honest. Gotta do what you gotta do.

Inspiration to others
Speaking of bucking up, I have to tell this story again. When I lived in my second house in Waukesha, I had a next-door neighbor named Walter who was 80 and suffered from Parkinson's disease. I was walk-jogging two miles every day at the time. So one day I was standing at the picture window in my living room, looking at the late fall weather. I was 57 or 58 then. It was a blustery, nasty sort of day, cold and kinda wet, and there were random snowflakes in the air. So I was thinking, maybe I shouldn't go out walking today—the weather's too bad.

As if on cue, who hoves into sight but Walter. He's dressed in a "warmup suit" that looks like he bought it in the 1970s: zip-up jacket with a big collar and white stripes down the legs. And he's out for his walk—using his walker! He's hunched over the walker and laboriously following it up the street. Needless to say, I sucked it up and did my two miles. If an 80-year-old who has Parkinson's and needs a walker can get out in the weather, it was pretty obvious there was nothing stopping me. From then on, every time I was tempted to dish up an excuse for myself, the mental image of 80-year-old Walter and his warmup suit and walker popped into my head. Before I moved away I thanked him for being an inspiration, too. I still think of his example from time to time.

My idea with the gym is to go over at 2:00 every afternoon. That's going to take more than just motivation—it's going to require a little planning. Yesterday I had to go to the cardiologist at 2:00 (neither of us knew what the appointment was for—I guess they just want to guard against surprises). Today I have a haircut at 2:00. My barber is kinda hard to schedule, too—she works out of her house and she has a life. I guess I'll head over to the gym after I get my few remaining hairs cut.

By the way, the cardiologist gave the green light to exercise, as long as I take it very easy at first. I did ask.

But I wasn't looking for an excuse to get out of it.

I don't think.

Mike

Original contents copyright 2023 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below or on the title of this post.)

Featured Comments from:

ASW: "Hey Mike. In the running world, 'compression' socks and sleeves are quite popular. There are companies (e.g., Compressport, 2XU) that sell full lines of compression gear. So, just consider yourself one step down the path to better fitness."

Pritam Singh: "Try 'sarvangasana,' among other asanas, from Iyengar yoga to keep away from support hose. I guarantee it's more dignified."

Dan D: "Are you talking medical grade compression socks? If just mild compression socks there are many choices that look and feel great. I was in the sock business for many years and started wearing mild compression socks on flights to the west coast (four hour flights from Chicago). My feet felt great when we landed. Many runners wear compression socks too. Sockwell merino wool were my favorite."

Mitch W: "Compression socks. Triathletes use them. I cycle a lot, and after suffering a heretofore unexplained/unprovoked blood clot, I noticed my IronMan friends all wore them. Plenty of configurations in terms of size, strength of compression, wild colors. I detest this phrase but they have been a 'game changer' for typical photo days in the field consisting of one to 14 hours on assignment, too. Far better performance than those, uh, likely-drugstore 'hose.'"

John Camp: "The wife of a friend of mine flew to Italy and back a month ago. She was told to wear compression socks (also called support hose, but 'compression socks' sounds more medical and less elderly.) She didn't. She got back with some leg pain, discovered she has a blood clot in her leg, and is now doing semi-weekly doctor visits to deal with it."

V.I. Voltz: "Due to crummy veins and an injury that made things worse, I’ve worn compression socks since I was about 30 (I am now 48). I wear Supcare Extreme with Drirelease socks every day. My nine-year-old son calls them ‘sport socks.’ About every month we talk about why I need them, and what he needs to look out for to keep his circulation healthy. It’s not that big a deal."

Mike replies: Dr. Greger recommends arugula and citrus fruit for vascular health. Beets and watermelon are also good. I've stumbled on a heady elixir: one large seedless orange, peeled; half a small seedless watermelon; and a racquetball-sized cooked and peeled beet, all tossed in the blender. I keep the ingredients in the fridge so it'll be cold when prepared. Delicious—the flavors balance, and none "win"—and brightly colorful too. I put some chopped arugula into my daily salad, and sprinkle a handful on my nightly bowl of soup after the soup is hot; the arugula wilts and gives soups a slight but pleasant peppery accent.

Joeb: "Compression sox. Nothing wrong with them. Real athletes wear them, people who hike, run, work out. Even people with heart/circulation issues wear them. They come in all colors, patterns, and compression strength. They are not the white, hospital style that 'old' people wear. Not any more. Soldier on!"

Kristine Hinrichs: "There is another name for support hose—compression socks. They are very popular with long distance runners, particularly ultramarathoners. If you have a running or outdoors store nearby they would have them—or try REI online. They come in lots of colors, including your basic black socks. They are also a lot more durable and comfortable. I wore them back when I ran marathons and ultras and all my friends did, too."

Comments

[Robert Cole]

Anti-gravity socks.

[Steve Deutsch]

Compression socks

[Kodachromeguy]

I've worn one compression stocking for a decade. No big deal. And I always wear two thigh high versions for cross-ocean plane travel. It's cheap and simple preventative care.

[Grant]

Think of support hose as Spandex leggings for your stationary bike ride.

You see how easy it was to solve your dilemma?

[Ben]

Compression socks.

Keep your health on that sharp edge. Practice every day.

[Albert Smith]

Good luck on your journey.

If I may, once you settle in, think about morning workouts. I find that the potential for rationing reasons to skip a workout is directly proportional to the amount of time that "things" can come up. The later your start, the more things can materialize to compete for that 2PM slot.

I drag my butt out of bed and start my workout immediately. I find that getting this done early will make the rest of your day better.... you did a positive thing and nothing else that day can rob you of that.

[Can't. I write in the mornings, and barely have enough energy for it then. --Mike]

[bill stothers]

Compression Socks. That's what I wear under regular socks. Sort of underwear for my feet. Keeps me warmer, too, in cold weather, and reduces foot/ankle swelling in hotter weather.

[Peter Komar]

Wow Mike you did put a lot on your plate. Going to the gym at 2:00 pm would not work for me at all, I either do it after my morning routine or I just don’t get there that late in the day. But you may be wired differently than me, if you find yourself not being motivated to go at that time, maybe adjust your schedule. It worked for me and I did try afternoon workouts it just was not for me. Good wishes with all your lifestyle changes we are all hoping for good outcomes.
Best Regards.

[Kenneth Tanaka]

If by "support hose" you actually mean compression socks, no biggie! For years I've worn them on long flights (3+ hrs) to prevent deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) which can really ruin your day (and life). I've also worn them when I have to be on my feet for long periods. They're practical, comfortable and do the trick. They just take some practice to don and and remove.

[Stan B.]

Elderly hose, old age sox, senior leggings, certain age leg wear, sock walkers?
- Fellow Senior

[John Krumm]

I had a related scare last summer. My brother talked me into doing something I was reluctant to do, ride a dual purpose motorcycle packed with camping gear around the dirt roads of the Olympic Peninsula. I hadn't ridden a dirt bike since high school, and I'm 56, and take high blood pressure pills. After a few days of very strenuous riding, eating all kinds of very salty camp food, I flew home with swollen feet and ankles. Tight skin, kind of shiny. My wife, a doctor, was immediately concerned and took me to the ER. My blood pressure was way higher than normal. He gave me a strong diuretic, and I proceeded to consume almost no salt for a couple weeks. That helped. The cardiologist I later saw said I had one enlarged chamber (I forget which) that wasn't working as well as it should, especially under high pressure. With good diet, exercise, the right drugs, it shouldn't be a problem, but easily can be. I need to avoid processed meats on camping trips, for sure. Aging is fun!

[james wilson]

At the gym they are called compression socks. That sounds much better and they are used by athletes. Also recommended for long airplane flights.

[Hermon Joyner]

Around where I live, Oregon, they are called and sold as "Compression Socks." Seems okay to me, better than "Support Hose," anyway. They are especially useful when flying. Prevents swelling and such.

[Jim Kofron]

Mike, I'm a few years younger than you. About 20 years ago a friend of mine (a nurse) let me in on this wonderful secret--compression socks--if you have to spend a lot of time on your feet. They're awesome!!! I don't wear them a lot, but if I need to be on my feet all day--they're definitely on my legs.

Nothing to be ashamed of. It's a damn shame you haven't discovered them earlier!

Jim

[ChrisC]

Compression pants are all the rage in elite sports these days. Probably not anymore fashionable on people of our age, but perhaps not making you feel so old.

[Daniel]

Don't forget that Popcorn is a "Health Food" when done right. Even has as much iron as Spinich.

[Benjamin Marks]

Compression Socks.

Better than "Ankle Grabbers" or "Squeezies."

I am just making things up here. I don't actually know whether "Squeezies" is a thing. Jeez, I hope not.

One other thing: I have found riding a stationary bike before bedtime really helps me get a good night's sleep. I usually watch a movie and try to forget that my legs are moving. Still, as long as I break a sweat, it seems to help.

[Dale]

Vitality socks?! That made me smile...

[Jeff Hughes]

Today I went to the first of four weekly workshops to learn more about something called the Alexander Technique. It's new to me but my definition of it is to consider how I use my body as I stand, sit, walk, and work and learn how these repetitive movements accumulate over time and impact my health. Perhaps you might benefit from it too.

[Dan Khong]

Support Hose = "Compression Socks" (doesn't that sound better?)

Start gym the moment it opens - beats the traffic and before the shops / clinics open. And you'd feel good you got the healthy exercises done for the day.

[Robert Ardinger]

Compression Socks! (Stockings) https://www.webmd.com/dvt/choose-compression-stockings

[James Weekes]

First of all, a company named Wellow makes great, and I quote, "breathable compression socks". I have five pairs in different colors and they are very comfortable. And pretty snappy.

Second, you should know that world class athletes wear them now as they help even people as fit as them. So tell people that they let you shave five minutes off your marathon times.

Third, going to the gym EVERY day at a determined time is not starting off slowly. Start with three days a week and enlist a trainer to ease you into it and show you how to use the machines, both aerobic and weight.
Then you can determine how often you should go. You will meet nice people too.

And keep Walter in mind:-)

[Thanks! I ordered some from Weller. All the same color and size so I don't have to match them up. --Mike the lazy]

[Not THAT Ross Cameron]

Compression stockings?

Guessing they’re a variation on what people wear on long haul flights if they’re at risk of DVT.

Hopefully the exercise machines help get the blood flowing. From my (highly unscientific) understanding, the leg muscle movements / contractions help the veins push blood back up the legs, so if the legs aren’t moving much, it doesn’t help - I think. I appreciate there’s a whole lot more going on that I have completely no understanding about.

[Dennis Buss]

Call them compression socks - that's what the are. I was advised to use them for varicose leg pain. Later on for better blood circulation. In both cases they work well. Check out videos on how to get them on, otherwise you will drive yourself nuts trying to do so.

[Larry Gebhardt]

Call them compression socks and they sound pretty normal. My wife has them in all sorts of patterns and prints, but I assume they also come in boing colors I'd wear. They look just like tall socks and she says her legs feel much better at the end of the day when she wears them.

[Dave Riedel]

They are also called compression socks if that helps.
You should also try elevating your legs vs your heart several times a day for about twenty minutes by laying in your bed resting your feet on a pillow or two. Especially helps if you have swollen ankles.

[Simon]

In the UK we call them compression socks, they are recommended for people on long flights and are supposed to aid recovery for endurance athletes (though I suspect it's more marketing BS than anything else.

I wouldn't buy an exercise machine for your house. If you're like 95% of buyers it will be used a few times before you get bored and it remains idle.

It's much better for you to have a regular routine of going to the gym and using different machines (cycle, row, stair climb) and weights to work various muscle groups. I'm not sure going every day is a great idea, particularly as you admit you are prone to throwing yourself into something new with excess enthusiasm and overdoing it. 3 or 4 times a week should be enough.

[ritchie thomson]

You could use the British term 'compression stockings/socks', there are two types one medical and one for athletes, so they are not just for the infirm and elderly.

[Don Daso]

Well, you simply call them "compression socks" & the stigma goes away. Besides, wearing long pants makes them nearly invisible~!~

[MikeR]

"Compression socks." That's what I buy. Same thing, different adjective-noun combination. Ain't English wonderful?

I'll be 81 in a few weeks. CPAP for 24 years. Afib, so Eliquis. Hypertension, so two meds for that. But, hey, I get around. Fired up the ol' Husky log splitter this afternoon, and rebuilt some of my stockpile. Next on my yard work agenda: cut up the ash trees that the tree service felled last year. Need to feed the log splitter.

The trick is to keep moving.

[John Gordon]

Flight socks!

[RichardG]

In my active practice years we used to call them TED hose (TED = thromboembolic disease.) Not sure that’s any better than support hose.

[Phil]

I must say, your latest two posts make for an inspiring set. Your previous post is all about being mentally prepared for the shooting you want to do and you ended it with "I'm going to be ready for spring." Now this current post is, essentially, all about making sure that you can be physically ready.

I think anyone of us could easily replace the specific aids and medicines, and, yes, the diet, that enable you, with whatever we ourselves might need to treat the thing that ails us. In fact, even if we don't consider ourselves to be "ailing", then whatever physically prevents us from being there (whether it's carving out the time away from life's treadmill, or getting ourselves to the place we need to be) is still a physical challenge to work out now so that we're "ready for spring".

Thanks for the inspiration. Now I'm off to reserve some campgrounds in the forests I want to shoot this spring!

[John Wilson]

Mike - Life happens whether we want it to or not. Unfortunately, sometimes it all seems to happen at once. Been there done that and survived and so will you. Work with it, not against it. Make it your fiend and ally (it REALLY is; you're improving your health and quality of life), not your enemy.

[Paul Ambrose]

Compression socks or stockings works for me. If you do any long-range air travel, you will find they become a necessity. And you're right, they are rather comfortable, or, indeed, comforting.

[JOHN B GILLOOLY]

I would bet anything that Walter was wearing his mature athletic vitality socks under that track suit.

[Connie Simonton]

My grandma has Parkinson’s disease, she is about 75 years old it was detected 7 years ago. Right now it’s getting more difficult to live for her, because of stiff muscles she can’t even move. L-dopa and carbidopa medicines are given, but won"t give much relief. She can"t eat food and the skin is damaging forming ganglia. I thought this might be the last stage and the medications she was given did not help at all, so I started to do alot of research on natural treatments, I was introduced to Health Natural Centre in Hawaii U.S and their Parkinson’s Herbal Protocol. She started on the Parkinson’s Treatment last year, her symptoms gradually diminished including her Tremors, Body Weakness and Muscle Pains. Reach them at healthnaturalcentre.org , She is getting active again since starting this treatment, she is able to walk again ( down the street and back ) and able to ride her treadmill again! God Bless all PD Caregivers. Stay Strong, take small moments throughout the day to thank yourself, to love your self, and pray to whatever faith, star, spiritual force you believe in and ask for strength. I can personally vouch for these remedy but you would probably need to decide what works best for you.

[Markus Spring]

Ageing seems to be all about psychology, at least regarding your "support hoses". They sound so much better when called "compression stockings", and, believe it or not, I am wearing them since the age of 40, being healthy and sportive and all. But the helped me to avoid a swollen foot after a ankle fracture, and they did it so well that I never stopped wearing them.

But the problem are not the "support hoses", but the inevitability of facing the own body's increasing fragility and even failing. This challenge is hard to deal with, especially in our culture fetishing vitality and youth. I've found no recipe for that, either. Quietly accepting and keeping as active as possible just means slowing down the process, but then: For living hard and dying young we got too old already...

[Anton Wilhelm Stolzing]

These socks are not so bad. They are very popular among sportsmen nowadays. Difficult to put on, though.
Support hose is not a flattering term, that's true. The German term, "Stützstrümpfe", is even worse, LOL.
Compression socks (Kompressionssocken) sounds a little bit better.

[Christer Almqvist]

Here's a specific advice for you: watch your knees when wearing tight knee socks.

I had a bike accident six weeks ago and the lower part of my right hand leg got some huge bruises. Lots of blood clots there and the leg got rather swollen. My doctor said: "blood thinners and support sock up to just under the knee".

Result: an enormous knee. I now have the full leg length version of the support. In BLACK! It looks quite sexy. Avoid brown at all cost.

Best wishes, my bike is ready to depart, sun is shining.

[Thomas Mc Cann]

I had to go to the cardiologist at 2:00 (neither of us knew what the appointment was for—I guess they just want to guard against surprises)

Fee hungry ??

[Eoin]

You're talking about athletic compression socks right? The ones runners and cyclists use to enhance post workout recovery? Makes sense if you're starting to exercise ;)

[Bear.]

It's not how much you do, or how often, or what you do. The only important requirement is that every day, without fail, you go out for however long and do something .... for the rest of your life.

[J]

Compression socks not good enough for you?

[Dan Meyers]

Mike,

Happily, your support hose are now called compression socks. Many bad-ass athletes use compression materials all the time so you're in good company.

[PaulW]

If it makes you feel better, call them compression socks instead of support hose. Compression socks are popular with runners.
https://www.roadrunnersports.com/blog/compression-socks-benefits

[Steven Ralser]

Aren’t they also called compression socks. I wear these when I fly, but usually only on the long trips (I.e. to Australia)

[Sam]

I think the label you're looking for is "compression socks." Sounds kinda manly, and is still accurate and a real term.

[Al Cambronne]

In an athletic context, I often see them called "compression socks." Good for recovery after an ultramarathon. Worn by elite runners everywhere!

[Del Gray]

"Compression" socks are THE thing in the running world, especially for long distance athletes and trail running. Type in "running compression socks" into Google and/or Amazon to take a look. Tons of options, reviews, and images. Note that you can get compression sleeves rather than full socks so you can continue to wear any favorite socks you currently have. Best of all, this moves the conversation out of the realm of old person accessory and into the cool kids corner.

[Herman Krieger]

They said, "Sock it to Mike".

[s.wolters]

I could not find ‘support hose’ in my English-Dutch dictionary.
Are you going to join the volunteer fire department or something?

[Arg]

Hi Mike, I was born with a very rare form of lymphodema in one leg. It has given me a range of issues over my 65 years, from looking different (and lopsided) as a child, having less mobility than other kids, and especially a lifelong struggle with recurrent foot and leg infections, and painful swelling. Yet until I was about 40 I was pretty much ignored in terms of assistance and advice on what to do to to manage it.

And the first thing I discovered at that age was compression socks. (That’s what we call them, and I suggest you do too: it’s more manly!) What. A. Godsend. And over the years I have graduated to prescription grade pressures. Stick with it: you will be rewarded.

And I have also stuck with Greger and PBWF, moving to it 3 years ago from my ‘V+1’ that we once spoke about. There is no religious or guru aspect with Greger, it’s all rigour and science. That makes it easier for me to stick and ignore any inner whisperings about options and ‘what harm can it do, just now and then?’.

And speaking of sticking to it, I recently saw an article, on T. Colin Campbell’s nutritionstudies.org site, describing experiments on willpower. In short, it seems we have a daily budget for strength of will, and when we exhaust it resisting one temptation, we have nothing left for the next ‘willpower challenge’ and more or less collapse into self indulgence. So the big tip from this study is not to surround yourself with options and rely on willpower to resist. Doesn’t work. Instead, have no sweets in the house at all. Ditto for meats, dairy, fluffy white bread white rice and pasta. Then life actually gets easier.

Cheers
Arg

[Bill Tyler]

Note to John Camp's wife's friend, and anyone else. This business of blood clots in the legs is very serious. My wife came very close to death when one of those clots traveled and wound up blocking a pulmonary artery.

[DavidB]

I was going to post something about compression socks but see that many have already done so. You have a smart following here, Mike!

I got my socks from Zensah.com.

[William Lewis]

Hosy McSupportHose?

(Grinning, ducking & running...)

[Frank Hamsher]

If you want to lol about such socks, you should watch the sitcom "Bob Hearts Abishola". All about a guy who runs a family company called MaxDot that makes compression socks. The guy has a heart attack and ends up in the hospital. He falls in love with his Nigerian nurse, and the story continues. It's now in its 3rd season, and we wait impatiently for each new episode.

[Christopher]

Hi -

Now a days they are called “pull ups”. Also check out “wearwellow.com”

Regards

[Dave Van de Mark]

Your "Walter" story at 80, which I just hit myself, tells me that the biggest miracle of my life - beside maybe decent genetics - has been the urge to move! In two notable ways:

The first is just plain walking, hiking, what have you. Tens of thousands of miles of it. I rarely walk less than 2 miles a day and often much more.

The second, and maybe just as important, is I just hate being still, so am on the move, even it it just amounts to silly "puttering". When I watch a football game, I'm standing most of the time and then moving during all the stupid ads. It "adds" up I think!

[Richard Parkin]

Someone above refers to the webmd site, which does usually have good advice but in this case it recommends “Roll out the stockings inside out till the ankle part” to put them on. No doubt everyone’s feet are different but doing that means overcoming double the compression to negotiate the ankle and it’s better to just pull them up using latex gloves for grip if necessary. YMMV!

It gets easier with practice!

[Brian]

the other thing that requires work is getting old disgracefully (in a good way)along with good humor

this aging business is not for wimps

still a work very much in progress for me