Hi! Single Old Fat GWM thinking of Colorado Springs! (living in, moving to)

[Adamson865]

(Boy, is that the most unattractive headline ever written or what...!)

With hours left to go in 2021... hello from Tucson! Someone I worked with at a hospital here recently relocated there to work as a moderately-sized cheese at UCHealth and is trying to interest me in following along.

Of course, I had the initial "OMG - Isn't Colorado Springs filled with right-wing anti-gay crazies?" reaction (blame the media) but thanks to reading a number of threads here, have learned that there aren't as many as the media makes them out to be, and if don't live up on the north end and stay downtown, north end or OCC I'll be OK... (thanks to Ms. Spork, wherever you are, for your plentiful and useful comments on the subject) so I'm not terrified I'll show up and get burned at the stake for being a gay man. At my age, I'm more an emeritus gay, but I've been out since the Ford Administration so I'm not going back now - and definitely will want to get involved with things like Pride and various other stuff that's going on.

The one question that is puzzling me is whether I'm going to die from the altitude thanks to my age (pushing 60) and excess of weight. Am I going to keel over of a heart attack? Tucson is at roughly 2400' so I wouldn't be coming right from sea level so that's one good thing...

I recently read a couple medical studies that claim that the risk of obesity decreases amongst populations at higher altitudes! I didn't expect that. So I'm wondering if it's because fat people just die off faster, or is there something in the thin air that causes fat people to breathe more heavily and metabolize fat more quickly, or do fat people actually exercise up there? I was the fat baby who turned into the chunky kid who turned out into the overweight adult, so it's not like I'm going to start suddenly mountain climbing - but am wondering if I'm setting myself up for a heart attack the week I get there (IF... I get there).

Any thoughts? I already know the snow isn't as bad as I assumed and that the weather changes on a dime and the rents are zooming upward (ha - welcome to life in Phoenix & Tucson!) and the license plates need a refresh, but wonder if any of you can testify to living in the mountains while fat.

[Mike from back east]

The climate is more conducive to year-round outdoor activity / exercise which tends to help with weight control.

You'll be fine in COLO SPGS.

It's New Year's Eve, get out of here and go party.

[otowi]

I think you should come and visit and see how you feel in the altitude.

[Vision67]

OP: One thing to consider is that if you suffer from COPD, you probably will have difficulties adapting to the high altitude (~6000 ft ) at Colorado Springs.

[Adamson865]

Originally Posted by Vision67

OP: One thing to consider is that if you suffer from COPD, you probably will have difficulties adapting to the high altitude (~6000 ft ) at Colorado Springs.

Luckily, no other existing comorbidities except for fat!

Still looking for advice or pearls of wisdom from anyone who might have something to offer.

[bluescreen73]

There are still Christian fundies in the Springs (Google Gordon Klingenschmitt), but they're not as pervasive as they used to be.

Headaches and shortness of breath are common as your body adapts. It could take a few months for you to totally adjust. I'd keep an eye on your blood pressure if you have any issues with it.

[Adamson865]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

There are still Christian fundies in the Springs (Google Gordon Klingenschmitt), but they're not as pervasive as they used to be.

Thanks - that's a new name for me. I did spend a very interesting amount of time the other night answering the age-old question "Whatever happened to Ted Haggard?" I felt I needed a massage after that was over.

[Mike from back east]

Best column ever on Ted Haggard is here.

[DrDog]

If you’re planning on a lot of aerobic exercise, you will definitely notice the change in altitude. I moved there at age 60 and left after 3 years. Never adapted to the altitude. Just got used to being able to do less. But the weather lets you exercise year round and great trails for biking.

[xeric]

Originally Posted by Adamson520

(Boy, is that the most unattractive headline ever written or what...!)

With hours left to go in 2021... hello from Tucson! Someone I worked with at a hospital here recently relocated there to work as a moderately-sized cheese at UCHealth and is trying to interest me in following along.

Of course, I had the initial "OMG - Isn't Colorado Springs filled with right-wing anti-gay crazies?" reaction (blame the media) but thanks to reading a number of threads here, have learned that there aren't as many as the media makes them out to be, and if don't live up on the north end and stay downtown, north end or OCC I'll be OK... (thanks to Ms. Spork, wherever you are, for your plentiful and useful comments on the subject) so I'm not terrified I'll show up and get burned at the stake for being a gay man. At my age, I'm more an emeritus gay, but I've been out since the Ford Administration so I'm not going back now - and definitely will want to get involved with things like Pride and various other stuff that's going on.

The one question that is puzzling me is whether I'm going to die from the altitude thanks to my age (pushing 60) and excess of weight. Am I going to keel over of a heart attack? Tucson is at roughly 2400' so I wouldn't be coming right from sea level so that's one good thing...

I recently read a couple medical studies that claim that the risk of obesity decreases amongst populations at higher altitudes! I didn't expect that. So I'm wondering if it's because fat people just die off faster, or is there something in the thin air that causes fat people to breathe more heavily and metabolize fat more quickly, or do fat people actually exercise up there? I was the fat baby who turned into the chunky kid who turned out into the overweight adult, so it's not like I'm going to start suddenly mountain climbing - but am wondering if I'm setting myself up for a heart attack the week I get there (IF... I get there).

Any thoughts? I already know the snow isn't as bad as I assumed and that the weather changes on a dime and the rents are zooming upward (ha - welcome to life in Phoenix & Tucson!) and the license plates need a refresh, but wonder if any of you can testify to living in the mountains while fat.

I’ve never known of anybody who miraculously lost weight solely from moving to a higher elevation. But with your sense of humor, Colorado Springs would be lucky to have you!