The Oracle of Bali

The blogs I write for IkPas have a recurring topic: pension.

As retirees, we belong to a group that is often widely reported in the media. Usually it concerns the 'capital' that we have supposedly saved together, and according to the politicians, that may be a bit off. Weird really because most of us haven't been indexed for over 10 years.

It is also very often, too often, about retirees and alcohol, a very popular combination according to the media. Despite the fact that it is mentioned too often, there is a grain of truth in it. We have a lot of free time, and now in the lockdown we can't go anywhere. It is not at all surprising that some take comfort in a daily ritual called alcohol. A glass of wine, a beer or maybe something stronger. We also act as if we are about 40 years old, but unfortunately our bodies are changing and we are simply less able to tolerate alcohol than before. That's why it's so nice that there are actions like IkPas.nl , I'm the Bob, but the GPs often take the initiative when they spot something too. Awareness and a wake-up call are so important!

My wake-up call came right on the first day of my retirement.

The morning after my farewell dinner I thought I could sleep in. I am now retired, and that should be possible, right? The goodbye had also given me a strong headache, so I closed my eyes for a while. I made a mistake on the first day. My wife had made an appointment with the doctor for an MOT. You know that, blood tests, blood pressure and a 'how is the conversation'. Now we have a doctor who is a phenomenon in "how are you" because she sees every lie and again has an answer to all the evasive answers I give. My doctor is a (top) woman, but I suspect she is colluding with my wife. There is no other option if you have to undergo an MOT on your first day off. Of course you think about your retirement in advance and one of the first things I thought of was not to interfere with what goes on in the house. My wife is the oracle of Bali. Cooperate better. Better for everyone!

Now I personally hate a big belly. I mean for myself. When I'm with others, I sometimes want to hold in my stomach. Then I look better, tighter! At least that's what I think. The problem is that breathing is really difficult if you want to hold in a big belly for a longer period of time. So I sat tired and uneasy in the doctor's waiting room. Headache, sweating, breathlessness, cramps. The doctor looked much better, and from the way she looked at me, I knew there had been a consultation with home. "A little tired Hank?" The outcome of the APK was of course already fixed. It is a sum of facts. 94 kg, a BMI of 28.4. Cause? A solid glass of wine and no movement. In fact, I'd just been standing still for a few years. A BMI of 28.4 means overweight and according to the experts, I almost hit the obesity zone at that time. Wrong thing, and that also with a pain in my head.

I'll spare you the details of the conversation between me and the doctor. The outcome was shameful. My real age was beyond measure. Everything was out of bounds and my medical record now says I have hypertension. High blood pressure and it stays there. All the time! You never get off. Without realizing it, you belong to a risk group. My wife has brought home the motto Carpe Diem, and 'growing old together'. That appointment with the doctor was a real wake-up call, an awareness to drastically change my life. Lose weight, exercise, reduce alcohol consumption. The doctor said: “Participating in IkPas, you'll feel better, Henk”.

I have been retired for a little over 4 years now. I started walking. Between 5000 and 7500 steps per day. I thought about the best way to move. But the most important thing was to drastically reduce the alcohol. With each new MOT, which I now undergo without fear, the results got better and better. Blood pressure the last time 120/85, "don't do anything about it"! "So can the comment hypertension be removed from my file, doctor?". "No, that's history and history, you know that, you should never erase that." My doctor is top notch, and that collusion is even better.

If you are overweight, do not exercise and drink too much alcohol, there will be no Carpe Diem in the long run. The combination has such an impact on your body that you will not grow old happily. My Carpe Diem is my wife, let her oracle. She is right. Retirement is nice, if you are nice yourself.