"Well, can you walk without getting winded..."

When my physician asked me if I felt like I could "walk some distance without getting winded," it was all I could do to not bust out laughing.  "Yep," I said, "I can walk without getting winded." Although I was being seen for my annual physical (note to readers: lots of insurance companies pay for annual physicals beyond a routine gynecological one), I have been fighting off a bit of a cold or a cough.   He must not have believed me, because he followed up with a "even when you have a cold or a cough" clarifying question.  "Well yesterday I walked 12.5 miles," I said "and I had the cough and cold since before then".  When I told him about my treadmill desk, he was intrigued.  I saw him note something on my chart, cross off something he was going to ask, and write "n/a" next to something else. Not sure what they were, but my guess is that it had something to do with "are you getting regular exercise?"  I passed my physical with flying colors.  My blood pressure and pulse were very low and my weight was the lowest it has been in several years.   He changed up my meds for RLS, asthma, and allergies - but most importantly he gave me a "squeaky" clean bill of health.  According to the body age on my Wii Fit -- I am 39 going on 26!

BMI, BF %, & WHR

Although I've never been a big fan of the body mass index (BMI), I am finding now at the six week mark that my BMI, body fat % (BF %), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) are much better predictors of how much progress I've made than a myoptic weight measurement.   Each year when I work with colleagues in our employee wellness program, I work hard to refocus them on the larger picture rather than just their weight.  However, until you can see measurable progress in one or more of the aforementioned variables, it is hard to convince them otherwise.  Finally, I am seeing movement in these three variables, so I will stop charting my weight publicly and will begin to post improvement in these more important areas.  Since 9/22/08 my BMI has improved from 23.7 to 22.2, my BF% has improved from 26.31% to 25.81%, and my WHR .88 to .87.  Of these measurements, the one that still leaves me in an at risk category is the WHR.  WHR measures the difference between your waist and hip girth.  A WHR of less than .80 is considered to be a good predictor of decreased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.  While I do not have a genetic predisposition to diabetes or cancer, there is a family history of high blood pressure.  Thus, the more I can do now to move my WHR toward the .80 end of the spectrum the better (>.90 is considered increased risk).

Arm strength & 70-year old reminders

In the last two weeks I have had the unusual experience of being active in the care of my 70 year old father and my 70 year old mother-in-law.  It is through this experience that I am so incredible grateful for the genetic code that my parents have passed down to me.  About 6 weeks ago, my dad injured his knee while dodging a wave during a spontaneous walk on the beach.  He is a fabulous physical specimen of preventative health and fitness.  He bikes, kayaks, travels all over the world, and walks regularly with my mom (who is herself a youthful 67).  My mother-in-law on the other hand is on the other end of the spectrum.  She has many chronic health conditions and after a series of recent health issues, we are preparing to move her in to an assisted care residence.  I stayed with her last night to help with some mobility issues she was having.  Earlier in the month I watched my dad easily maneuver with a walker and later crutches - his upper extremity able to carry a heavier load while he recovers from knee surgery.  My mother-in-law, on the other hand, struggles to push herself up into her walker.  These wonderful object lessons so closely together have encouraged me to add a push-up routine to my daily activities so that I can maintain a strong upper body to go with my increasingly strong lower body.