Sending best wishes and patience to your friend MOWC. None of us are immune to the unexpected.
^^^lol! Me, I kind of approach it from the other direction. I’m told I talk so much nobody can get a word in edgewise; that spares me from listening to what somebody might want to say but I don’t want to hear. 
Michael- that sort of goes with our profession! I pre-ordered the FitBit Alta. What the heck…
MOfWC, thank you for sharing your friend’s story. I’m glad she is being taken care of and is trying to figure out what is going on. Been in (almost) her shoes; my fingers are crossed that there is no actual damage, and that she can continue on with her running life.
Adding my name to abasket and CBBBlinker --also suffering from back pain. I really try not to cut back a lot when my back hurts, because I find that inactivity usually makes it worse. So I’m still running and walking, and even tried some yoga yesterday – highly modified. I’m being very careful, because I don’t want to make it worse.
I can’t remember if this article has been mentioned here – http://nyti.ms/1OOSv8e – verifies that exercise helps alleviate back pain.
I need to find you all on Fitbit.
I guess I don’t understand the standards that they set for BMI? I’m 5’7’ and 141 right now. My BMI is calculated as 22.08 I consider myself relatively thin but according to the charts I am considered “normal”. Based on the charts they consider 119 and below mild thinness and 160 and above overweight?
My BMI puts me right about the middle of “normal” weight? Im having trouble believing I would have a normal BMI if I weighed 123. My guess is I wouldn’t have any muscle? The chart also says that 21% of men are below my BMI which I really have a hard time believing.
My cardiologist considers 22-23% BMI as the prime range for me (female, age 55). I’m 5’8" and that would get me in the low 150s. I would be delirious if that happened. 5’7" and 141 sounds on the slim side of average to me.
Of course, musculature may make that BMI look higher than it really is. BMI is notoriously off-kilter for serious athletes (and I think you qualify!).
MOWC: that’s certainly a cautionary tale about your ultra marathon runner friend–I sure hope she finds a way to continue her running.
There are lots of posters all around my gym with information about cardiovascular disease because this is Go Red for Women month. I noticed one poster, which gave me pause. Cardiovascular disease–which includes heart disease hypertension and stroke–is the number one killer of women.
Worked out with my trainer today–strength training and working on balance. I really have trouble with Warrior 3 (balancing on one leg) in yoga–some days I’m a rock and other days, I’m a mess. I have hardware in my ankle and I know that’s part of it, but I’m determined to master it.
Ohio, based on my personal observation of people in Europe, that weight would be normal. 
The 21% probably are predominantly young whippersnappers.
Fireandrain, that is an interesting article. I think it makes a valid point: orthotics and braces are “crutches” that do nothing to strengthen the core that supports the back and takes the load off the vertebrae and discs.
Bromfield - balancing is my weak point in yoga. Even after 1 1/2 years of regular yoga practice my balance has improved very little. I have had it suggested that it might be an inner ear problem, which makes some sense given the allergy/ear issues I have.
Your friend’s story sure gives one something to think about, MoWC. I hope they can get to the source of the elevated BP.
I had the same first thought as BB about the BMI distribution, Ohio. I bet they’re including very young lean men in the group.
I went out for a walk/jog this morning, the goal of which was to move without mouth breathing (dentist’s orders). It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be, although my pace overall was a not so speedy 14:30 mile. I went for 8 miles, though, and added two more brisk walking miles while trying to beat the rain tonight. Soft food of the day–Kraft Mac 'n Cheese. The idea of the processed macaroni and cheese is cringe inducing to me, but the taste hit the spot.
Today I hit 200 miles in the 2016 challenge!
The BMI chart figures that I referred to were for a 59 year old man. The more information that I read about BMI the more I think it’s a meaningless metric. Usain Bolt is in the obese category according to BMI calculations!
Ohio, the number is a general metric which definitely is meaningless if taken in a vacuum (just like height or waist circumference are!); and most of the athletes, including you, are definitely outliers when it comes to BMI. I live and work near Seattle, and I definitely see a lot of middle-aged men who look like they are on the lighter side, especially among our large Asian population. So 21% is not that unrealistic for the nation overall.
Ohio, here’s my guess. On paper, it is what it is (actually hate that saying!) - you fit where it says you do.
However, if you were sitting in the exam room at your doc’s office? He would look at you and say, “Ohio, this is what the chart says, but I take one look at you here, see your body, know your fitness level, hear your stamina and effort. Ohio, ignore the off kilter BMI, you’re good!”
(my completely un-medical opinion!!)
To follow up on what fireandrain said about back pain and exercise:
http://physiocarept.com/2016/02/01/3-best-exercises-to-prevent-low-back-pain/
Oh, wow. Lots of good advice written by that PT team. Here is one for the skiers among us to bookmark for the next season:
I think you’re the crowd to help me. I am very healthy, not overweight (but I wouldn’t mind losing a few pounds), exercise “enough,” eat fairly well, but I know I can improve. I do have borderline high cholesterol, but my “good cholesterol” is high, and if you look at my overall health and numbers, my doctor isn’t concerned. But, I really know very little about nutrition. My biggest downfall is probably eating too much processed microwaveable food (and ice cream and white white if I’m going to confess fully). In any case, can you point me to some relatively basic resources to help me become more informed? I don’t want to know about fad diets, but more about what’s really considered good for “everyone.” For example, I don’t eat much bread or pasta, and I Think that’s considered a “good” thing. I drink 2 lattes (with skim milk and a small amount of flavored syrup) every day, and I know it’s a “bad” thing, but I’m not willing to change that. I don’t want to read anything that’s too scientific, I just want to know more about general nutrition, and maybe why things are good or bad for you, especially as you get older.
Thanks in advance
Take a look at the myplate.com website set up by the USDA. Very mainstream information, lots of good resources. A good place to start.
1214 have you ever tracked your food? Sometimes using myplate or myfitnesspal to log EVERYTHING you eat - everything - for even a week or so will teach you A LOT about your nutritional intake - even just the basic things of protein, sodium fat, calcium, etc. Counting calories might not be a problem for you, but take a good look at your NUTRITIONAL intake.
The other thing I want to share based on what you mention above - your processed microwavable food. How are your cooking skills? Do you not like to cook - is that why you’re microwave meal dependent??
When choosing foods for a meal, try to choose foods in their most natural state. a pork chop on the grill - natural state - no additives. Stuffed pork chop from the meat deli? Not so natural - lots of garbage in that stuffing! Stuffed peppers made at home? You can control the grade of meat, the type of tomatoes you use, the amount of salt…Stouffer’s stuffed peppers? Lots of filler!
So stick with leaner meats, a variety of vegetables (more than peas and potatoes please!), unsalted nuts, beans, whole unsugared daily (so no sugar filled yogurt!), moderate amounts of fruit, whole grains.
Also you mention a couple areas you are not willing to break. That can be ok! Have the latte? But you have to change something - what/where CAN you make some changes - food or exercise wise?