Alright guys, I want to get serious for a minute and talk about numbers. The other day, my husband and I had to go in for a yearly wellness check for our health insurance. I had to get the basics checked; blood, cholesterol, weight, blood pressure, BMI, and body composition. To be honest, I came away feeling a little down on myself.
I have always come away from those types of checks feeling like I totally crushed it! I love going to the doctor because I’m always healthy.
So now, let’s break down my numbers because honestly I’d rather have you learn from me rather than yourself.
BMI: 22.4 (Normal range: 18.5-24.9)
Body Composition: 20.7% (Desirable Range for women: <28%)
Total Cholesterol: 164 mg/dL (Desirable: <200 mg/dL)
HDL Cholesterol: 70 mg/dL (Desirable: >40 mg/dL)
Weight: 132.6
Cholesterol Ratio: 2.3:1 (Desirable Ratio is less than or equal 5 to 1)
Systolic Blood Pressure: 98 (Normal is less than or equal to 120)
Diastolic Blood Pressure: 70 (Normal is less than or equal to 80)
Fasting Glucose: 106 mg/dL
So What’s the Problem?
You must be looking at my numbers and thinking, “What are you so worried about Jess? You’re crazy!” The honest truth… the “numbers” that I looked at, was only the weight. 132 pounds has been the heaviest I have been (minus being pregnant.) I have always been around 115-120. The bathroom scale has always been my best friend. Watching my weight has been a huge priority for me ever since I was a sophomore in high school. Every time I have ever gone to the doctor, my weight was the only thing that ever mattered.
As soon as I stepped on that scale and saw my weight, everything else went out the window.
What Really Matters?
So what numbers matter then? Is your weight the only thing that you should focus on? The resounding answer…NO!!!
One of my really good friends appears to be overweight, but she totally just smoked a half marathon! Her average mile time was around 9 minutes! When she goes to the doctor, her numbers look amazing!!!! But walking around, she gets judged because she “appears” to be overweight.
I have known other people who are so skinny that if they turned sideways you would lose them. They look fabulous in everything, but when it comes to their health, their blood pressure is through the roof! Their doctors are telling them that they have to gain weight, in order to become healthier.
What if we didn’t look at people and think, “Man, they are overweight!” Or “Geeze, they are so skinny! I wonder what they are doing?” What if we looked at everyone around us and focused on what makes them beautiful? Their personality, hair, eyes, amazing shoes etc. Why can’t we get rid of the words “overweight” and “skinny?”
Instead of focusing on our weight, we need to focus on the other healthy numbers. The things that really matter! Because come on, having a good cholesterol means a ton!!! Having an awesome blood pressure MATTERS! Learn from me and don’t focus on one dumb number. Don’t let it ruin your day because you may be heavier than you have in the past. Celebrate that you are healthy and all that you have accomplished!
Need help focusing on other things when you look at yourself? I got you!