[Mara]

Hi Roy,
I have a question about the type of physical
exercise you would recommend for a weak kidney
condition, which I'm convinced this inspmnia is...In chinese
medicine, I've learned just recently the kidneys govern the wrists and ankles if I am correct, and I had a couple of bad sprains to my right ankle in the fall just when this was getting worse. On top
of that I have carpal tunnel symptoms in my right wrist. And, according the five transformation and birth cycle theory, since I was born in late september, my weaker organs would be my kidneys and bladder. So everything is making sense and I have been doing Qi Gong exercises regularly, and experiencing very interesting heat and pins and needles regularly while doing it and afterward, especially in my lower back kidney area.
Sleeping, I think is improving in general and I have a positive feeling about the direction I'm going but it is erratic and slow going improvement so far. In lots of mainstream literature about insomnia daily strenuous physical activity is recommended... however I have just read on a macro website that this sort of things isn't recommended for the transition into macrobiotic eating. Also I know that overwork and over-exertion weaken the kidneys. I enjoy running but am still chronically tired and wonder if I might be better off just walking. So I was just curious if you had an opinion.
Also am wondering if in your opinion a small thing, like not eating oatmeal (processed) and raisins(simple sugar), or not eating sunflower seeds(oil/protein) could improve a condition. Or are these things in moderation unlikely to affect anything? Sometimes my general state of health seems to change very little from tired due to trouble maintaining sleep that I can't tell what affect if any that food is having on me. Overall I am eating a very balanced and much more informed macro diet thanks to your advice and lots of interesting reading. My second question is, just how restricted do you think it should be so long as I am still suffering insomnia?