Tag Archives: healthy

May 21, 2014 · 1:00 pm

Not Curvy – Well Rounded

sphere rainbow colored I’m all for accepting our given body types, and not promoting the idea that only one body shape is truly beautiful.

But I’m not going to lie. I’ve always wished I was a bit more curvy. The gentle roundness of the female hip line is just beautiful, and the perfect model for so many pretty dresses and form-fitting pants. I may not be as beanpole-shaped as I once was, but I don’t think I’ll ever blossom into a grown lady with full hips that counter my generous rib cage.

Let me be clear – I am completely alright with my body, and probably more comfortable in it now than I was 20, 10 or even five years ago. Still in the spirit of complete honesty, I confide to you my wish for voluptuousness.

Since I can’t change my bone structure without drastic measures, I’m trying to make the most of what I do have: a healthy, 33 year-old system of organs and tissues. Since I can’t make it curvy, I’ll instead make it well rounded.

I’m referring to my exercise routines. You may have heard that doing the same exercise over and over, without variation, will give you limited benefit. Seems reasonable. At the moment, I’m doing Zumba once a week, yoga once or twice a week and running once a week. The Zumba flows at the whim of the instructor, while yoga at home and running tend to stay pretty predictable, outside of my pushing for that 5K goal (which, ahem, I surpassed on Friday!).

This is part of why I’m so glad I got a punch card for dropping in to the yoga classes at the Market. Assuming I can get myself there by 9am on at least most Saturdays this summer, I’ll get some good variation in that workout as well.

If optimal cardiovascular health, reliable strength, flexibility and stress management are all accomplished, this is a well roundedness I can accept, even if I still covet wider hips.

The Turncoat Body

Benedict Arnold color portrait painting I’ve always thought of myself as a healthy person, fortunate in a body compliant with my physical ideals.

That same body, to whom I’ve been very kind in recent years, recently turned on me in two separate ways. While neither situation is serious or permanent, both were nevertheless a glitch in my normally steady health.

First was the slightly elevated cholesterol at the end of January. I was incredulous. How does a dairy-sensitive pescetarian get high cholesterol? Despite the fact that my HDL (good) cholesterol was excellent, that darn LDL (bad) cholesterol apparently enjoyed some winter egg and cream cheese indulgence (I may have cooked one too many batches of creamy white chili). I’m now slightly haunted by what my cholesterol must have measured 10 years ago… Genetics and comfort food are powerful, my friends.

My doctor (who, I must tell you, is endlessly wonderful regarding my health anxiety) says my age, low cardiac risk and good HDL actually counter the small elevation quite well, and I have no cause for alarm. Diet, exercise, a redraw in six months. Calm restored.

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Filed under Health, History Buff

Tagged as cholesterol, diet, exercise, genetics, George Washington miniseries, health anxiety, healthy, nerd, sciatica

July 17, 2013 · 3:46 pm

Getting Down from the Horse, Voting with Choices

long legged horse bronze sculpture I don’t want to be on a high horse. Realizing that I might sometimes put myself in an ideal light on this blog, I assure you, it is always with the intention of encouraging readers to be happy and healthy.

But today, I will confess. Following is a list of things I do that are less than healthy, eco-conscious, socially conscious, progressive or productive. I am not proud, but simply human.

Let me preface the list by saying that some of these shortcomings are due to time and money constraints. If you are fortunate enough to have the time and money to make better choices for yourself, your family and your world, I implore you to do so. When you vote with your choices (economically and socially), you ask the industry and community to take heed. The result will be better options for the rest of us.

Without further ado:

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