Fit-to-Fat-to-Fit Blog: The results (Part 1)

Today Fit4Changers were tested to see how we improved over the past twelve weeks. Last year, I was in horrible shape when I started the program, so I saw gaudy improvement. This year, well, the numbers were more subdued. But they still tell a powerful story.  I saw improvement in areas that really matter. I am stronger now. My heart is more fit.  I went from being in very good shape to excellent shape.

Blood Pressure.

January:   131/74

March:  116/73

My blood pressure has always been a tick high.  The 131/74 number was about normal for me — and that was a few days after running the Blues Half Marathon. So the number 116/73 represents a big improvement.  It’s the best I can remember.

Pulse.

January: 68

March: 57

This isn’t my resting heart rate but like my blood pressure, I’ve always had a high pulse — usually in the 70’s. So a 57 while I’m up and moving shows that my heart is in great shape.

Cholesterol: 

January: 162  HDL 48

March: 150 HDL 40

I have trouble with my “good” cholesterol. When I’m not working out it drops into the low 30’s.  I probably need to pop a niacin (Vitamin B). But otherwise, I won’t be taking cholesterol medicine anytime soon (saving me and my insurance company some big bucks).

Hips:

January: 39 1/2″

March: 39 1/2″

I didn’t shrink because there isn’t that much to shrink. I did that last year.

Waist:

January: 34″

March: 34″

Let’s put this in perspective. Last year, I started the program and my waist was 41″, the largest it has ever been.  Now it is 34″, which is the same as it was when I was in high school and weighed 165 lbs.  I now weigh 205″. Can you say, “muscle mass?”

Reach

January: 14″

March: 14″

I guess I’m still as inflexible as I was three months ago.  I need to stretch better (yoga anyone?)

Summary:

There are a few numbers that are missing that would help flesh out my story.  If my chest and arms had been measured, you would have seen an increase.  My upper body strength is much, much stronger than it was in January. And when I ran the Blues Half Marathon, I finished in 2 hours and 33 minutes.  Last weekend,  ran 13.1 miles in two hours and five minutes.  That’s shaving nearly 30 minutes off of my time. I’m stronger. Faster. And healthier.  I haven’t, knock on wood, had even a cold this winter.

I’ll admit, it hasn’t been easy. I have to get up before most reasonable people. I hurt and ache at times — but most of the time, I feel great. I have energy when I never had it before. My mental outlook is much improved.

Tomorrow, I’ll report the numbers from the track. That will tell the rest of the story.