Paleo Update and Random Thoughts Through Boomerhood

Today, readers, a collection of random thoughts as I approach my 60th birthday next month. Maybe you will read something that will help with your passage from boomerhood to retirement.

Congratulations to my nephew, a relief pitcher for the World Champion San Francisco Giants.  I know he thinks the former event was huge but it will be nothing compared to parenthood, which he will experience as a first time Dad starting next month.

I’m now 30 days into my Paleo Diet eating plan. I started the plan primarily to support my wife, who needed to upgrade her sub-standard nutrition habits.  The author of the book said to try it for at least 30 days then do a self-assessment. During the past month, I haven’t eaten a dairy product, any potatoes, beans, or anything that is, or is made from, grain including corn. This includes no bread, rice and pasta. Also, no products with added sugar. Nothing but hunter-gatherer stuff: lean meats (some grass fed), wild caught fish, fresh fruits, and seasonal vegetables. I’ve also consumed lots of omega-3 eggs, olive oil, and nuts. The only thing I’ve cheated on is a few beers last weekend during our visit with our son at college.  What could I do – SEC football weekend with our three sons in a college town and no beer? I think they would have pulled my man card.

So what has this done for me?

I’ve lost some weight even though I haven’t been watching my caloric intake. But the biggest change has been in my knees. Prior to my surgery last fall to repair a torn meniscus, I was told that I had significant arthritis in the knee joint. You know, the kind of arthritis that can lead to a knee replacement. Even after my surgery, I would get an achy knee after walking or similar exercise. Biking was the only leg exercise that left me ache-free.

Wednesday I went up and down the dock stairs at our lake home many times as I was winterizing the boat. I noticed that my knees were not bothering me. I thought back and realized that for the past couple of weeks, I had not experienced any pain in my knees.  That hasn’t happened since well before my surgery. That night I did some  research and learned that others on the Paleo Diet had reported substantial improvement in – or even disappearance of – arthritis pain. This makes sense as the Paleo eating plan is a true anti-inflammatory diet. So I’m going to stay with the plan and see if this continues. I’m willing to skip the bread and pasta (and even the beer) if I can keep my original equipment knees.

I’m also a week into my new pre-paid cell phone plan. So far, I like it a lot. I’ve had solid coverage everywhere. The phone has performed well, is extremely easy to use, and is much easier to carry than my smartphone. I have not missed getting office email for a second. The big test comes later today when we are driving up to inspect our almost ready to move-in condo. I need to have decent coverage there for this plan to work. My AT&T smartphone has zero coverage at the condo.

I forgot last week to remind you to read the Carnival of Personal Finance which has lots of good articles, including one from me.  You might also be interested in the piece I wrote for the U.S. News On Retirement blog about key questions to ask the annuity sales person.

Have a great boomer weekend!

FREE UPDATES: If you enjoy what you read here, please consider subscribing to receive free updates automatically by RSS feed or by email. (I promise that your email address will not be shared or used for any other purpose.)

My Related Posts:

1. Part Time Condo Living – an Update