Week six: tests and needles

Today I bit the bullet and went to the doctor for a physical. Part of me being an adult is taking care of my body. And that means going to the doctor.

I had full blood work (including a cholesterol and celiacs test), some vaccinations, and got in major trouble for not using my inhaler regularly. But my heart and lungs were good and had an allergist recommended to me.

I also mentioned in passing about this pain I often have in my left chest. I've always been told its asthma. Tight pain. Sore ribs. My doctor looked a bit startled and told me to go to go get an X-ray. I hope it's mostly covered by my insurance. I'm scared of actually seeing anyone for fear I won't be able to eat for the month.

Am I getting fit yet?

To finish my day I went for a fitness assessment so I can use the gym at work. I rocked the push-ups, sit-ups and cardio test but my flexibility has dropped to average (more yoga needed!!)

The only blip was my BMI and my fat percentage. Lots of fat pinching with the calipers was going on. Result? 31% body fat. Women should be between 20-25% I was told. But all the trainer said was "hey! You and I both know you've got this to work on but you're going to get there." And its true! Stepping on the scale and finding out I lost 20 pounds (yep! Hit 20 pounds lost!!) is a great motivator. When I told her that the lack of drinking, sugar and breads/pastas have helped, she said "Don't forget to live a little, you're not a nun."

My biggest worry

I have to confess as I move into week seven that I don't want to go back to the way things were before. I'm scared that if I venture into one drink or one pasta dish that it will lead to more and more. That it's easier to not indulge if I don't have it at all. This is a problem I have to solve. I'm great at all or nothing but moderation? Not so much.

Food has been good mostly due to the massive salad bar at work. I'll need to start bringing food or I will go crazy eating the same stuff every day. I have a fruit bowl and nuts and veggies in the fridge. Great for snacking in the in between times.

Exercise wise, I'm doing great but really need to pull in the running. I've been getting up at crazy hours so my schedule hasn't settled yet. But I'm still getting on the bike nearly everyday and reintroduced push-ups, back extensions, squats, crunches, planks and leg raises. It's part of the modified ab challenge I'm doing as a way to kick this off this month.

As for the rest of me...

I've lost 3.5 inches around my waist, 3 inches on my hips, 3 inches in my bust and 2 inches around my thighs. I'm glowing I'm so happy. People are definitely noticing and my check bones starting to make an appearance.

I have to say, I feel so much better and more like myself already. I'm only 25 pounds from the top BMI of my healthy range and 40 from my goal.

In three months I go back for another fitness assessment so I'll be working on losing this fat, gaining muscle in its place and stretching more. I should add more sleeping to the list but who sleeps when they start a new job, right? Especially as I'm one of the mad men now. ;)