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Assessment Process

For those of you that asked in terms of the Cholesterol/Body Compostition Assessment I had today – it was a finger prick, taking my blood pressure and I got on a “Tanita Body Composition Analyzer.” (That’s what the print out called it).

The finger prick for blood to put in a little machine which told me all about my Cholesterol and Glucose. YOU GUYS I HATE GETTING FINGER PRICKED. I used to get SO worked up when I was little I would puke. I expected the worst, but I didn’t care because I wanted to know. However it was not bad at all – I looked away and rambled while she did it and squeezed out blood.

THEN she took my blood pressure -which I was worried about because I had just been all worked up over getting my finger prick, but I took some deep breathes and turned out just fine!

Next I took off my shoes and socks and got on the “Tanita Body Composition Analyer” really it looks just like a scale, but apparently it sends electric shocks through your feet to get all the data about your body. I didn’t feel anything (which I think is common).

Finally the blood analyzing machine and body composition machine printed out little labels with the results which the doctor explained.

I’m a Healthy Tiger!

At work they have a “Healthy Tigers" program where you can get $25 a month off your health insurance if you get your body composition/cholesterol assessed, but the reason I went was to learn more specifics about my body. My friend went last month and learned a lot of cool stuff and it piqued my interest.

I was nervous because I had a gain this week and I am finishing up my period, HOWEVER I was PLEASANTLY surprised.

Body Composition

BMI: 26.8% (Normal BMI is under 25)
Fat %: 32.2% ("Desirable range” for my demographics 21-33%)
Fat Mass: 59.41 pounds (“Desirable range” 33.2-61.6 pounds)
Fat Free Mass: 125.0 pounds
Total Body Water: 91.4 pounds

I’M DESIRABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cholesterol

Total Cholesterol: 161 (goal is below 200)
HDL (Healthy Cholesterol): 49 (goal over 50, optimal over 60)
Non-HDL Goal: 112 (goal is under 190)
Total Cholesterol/HDL ratio: 3.3 (goal is under 4.0)
Glucose: 87 (goal is below 200)

Blood Pressure

112/74 (normal value below 120/80)

What a confidence boost. I got the stamp of approval health-wise from a physician! It’s crazy to think that over 91 pounds of me is WATER. The doctor also told me that my Fat Free Mass reflects mostly muscle and that it was great. It’s so crazy to think that only 60 pounds of me is fat. I’ve spent so much time looking at my flaws and how I need to lose 5 pounds here and 10 pounds there. When really there is only 60 pounds of fat to lose and obviously I don’t want to lose ALL of it. I’d love to be in 30-40 pounds of fat range I think.

I also learned that my Basal Metobolic Rate is 1658 kcal – which means that how much my body burns just living. The doctor suggested for me to consume a few hundred more because of my running. As a “bigger” (height/body type) it’s refreshing to see that “high” number because it can mess with your head when you read about others eating 1200-1400 calories (due to their body), but my body NEEDS more to function.

So in addition to dropping fat mass and BMI, I also want to increase my HDL (good cholesteral). Some tips for doing so are:

Avoid food that contains trans fat, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil
Increase monosaturated fats (olive oil, avacado, peanut butter)
Increase soluable fiber (oatmeal, citris furits, broccolo, carrots)
Increase fish and omega-3 fatty acids

It was VERY educational and only took 15 minutes. I’m so glad I went!

Distance PR

My 7 pound Pomeranian, Freddie, PRed today – he ran 5 miles with me! He may be little, but he is a tough athlete!

In other news my left foot hates me after feeling better all day. I talked to my old trainer at the gym and he said I strained a muscle, he suggested some stretches and to take 2 days off – I’m gonna take off tomorrow and see how I feel.

Wise Words

“we limit ourselves by what we think we’re capable of"

"we stand in our own way”

“why not have it all”

These were quotes from an OUTSTANDING student we interviewed yesterday. She is a woman in aerospace engineering AND in a sorority living a well rounded life. All my students inspire and humble me, but this girl takes the cake.

Here’s my purple. Get ready tomorrow for “what I wore to this week’s interviews” picture extravaganza!

WIW

Last week: 179.8
This week: 183.6
Change: +3.6

FAIL. I deserve it. I ate like a crazy person last week. Seriously like 100 chocolate covered oreo balls last Wednesday night. Then I ate, drank and was merry this weekend with my sister. Plus I didn’t work out a lot last week and have my period.

I wasn’t going to post my WIW because I was ashamed, but honesty and holding yourself accountable is important. It only sets a bigger fire under my ass to hit it hard for next week’s WIW.

Study: Many Obese People Think They Look Great The Way They Are.

Interesting study. Recognizing you have a problem to start with IS the hardest part.

She’s got legs

So yesterday I wore my new compression tights and I really enjoyed them for a few reasons. They kept me warm and loose which was good, but what I REALLY liked was that when I wore them the top of my thighs BARELY touched. I mean my upper legs are making some serious progress, but damn I would almost consider wearing those compression tights everyday as pants (sadly some of my tiny students do wear tights as pants – TIGHTS ARE NOT PANTS).

Ouch

My left foot is killing me. It was tender and hurt a little during my run yesterday, but I was determined to push through the pain. Well today it’s like throbbing pain. It’s like the top of my foot. I don’t know what I could have done to it and I have too many runs to get through for a break so I’m hoping I can push through and that it’s nothing major. Luckily I have short runs this week, I know I need to listen to my bode, we shall see.

Life as lion is doing something crazy and then when people ask you why you’re doing it, you ask them why they’re not doing it.

As TheFlightRisk pointed out – this too was my favorite quote from Mr. 365