Today, I wanted to introduce myself.
I'm Erika. I'm obese. And I have a drinking problem.
This is the time of the year when my company, like many others, requires the dreaded biometrics screening. Yesterday, I went to our health fair, where I was measured, poked, prodded and (gently) chastised.
Here are my basics:
Height: 5'5 1/4" (I swear at one point I was 5'6". Maybe I'm shrinking?)
Weight: HAHAHAHAHA. No. Not telling. But next year remind me not to sign up for an appointment after lunch, OK?
Blood pressure: 108/78 (Not bad--but then again, I've been fortunate to always have good blood pressure. Even at my heaviest)
Total cholesterol: 134 (Less than 200 is ideal. So, go me.)
HDL (good cholesterol): 47 (That's in the "better" category. More than 60 is ideal.)
HDL/LDL ratio: 2.9 (Less than 3.6 is best. So I'm good here.)
Glucose: 92 (Less than 140 is best.)
After our screenings we're required to answer questions about our overall physical and mental health. It asks you about how often you exercise, salt your food, eat sweets, smoke, etc. There are questions about whether you've felt down or sad in the past two weeks (who hasn't?). And it asks you if you've had five or more drinks in one sitting in the past six months.
I tell you, you go to one happy hour that gets a little crazy, and all of a sudden, you've got a problem.
Of course, not only was I high risk for alcohol abuse (I swear, it was just that one time!), but my BMI also puts me in the "obese" category.
I know that BMI is just a height/weight ratio that doesn't take into account muscle tone or anything else, but to see that glaring red high risk (I swear it's blinking at me) graph on my screen just kind of does a number on my self-esteem.
So there you go. You're reading the blog of an obese, alcoholic, emotionally distressed girl.
But at least my blood pressure is good.
8 comments:
I know how you feel. I have a small glass of wine with dinner each night and that makes me high risk according to some.
The worst, though, was seeing my cholesterol at my last dr. visit. Yes, I know I'm a few pounds overweight, but why do I have fat old people cholesterol levels? Not fair!
One of these days I'll have to actually follow my doctor's diet advice. If I eat only foods that I hate and avoid anything I like, I will probably lose those last few pounds in a jiffy. ;)
I know some pretty skinny people that work here that come out on the "obese" scale based on the way they do BMI here, so I don't get too upset about that one!
At the same screening, I was told my waist circumference was good, if I was a man. Boo....
Jennifer
I got the same speech this year that I got last year: my BMI and hip to waist ratio are a little high. (Both are not even a point over the range.) Great readings on cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose. The difference is that I weigh about a pound less than last year. No big deal there. What I am proud of is that I have lost 2 inches in my hips and another in my waist. Not something that is appreciated by the one time measuring. As I told the person testing me, I have lost a lot of weight and this is where my body has settled and maintained for 2 years. I did not tell her this, but I see it as a win. If they don't, that is not my issue. :-)
ok, this might make ya feel better! i AM a true to form, bonafide, legit, qualified for AA have the T-shirt, been to rehab 3 times, almost died from alcohol overdosed induced coma, REAL alkie lush blackout ALCOHOLIC. You..arent. so there :-)
Girl on the Phone
I was shorter too! I know I'm 5'7'' but they said 5'6''....therefore all the information is null and void. See what I did there... :)
Hi Erika! How are you feeling now? I do hope that you are feeling much better these past few days. I know that you are going through a very difficult time battling body weight issues and alcoholism. But always remember that there is always hope. It may be a long shot and the road to recovery will be rocky and tough, but with faith and perseverance, you can win the battle. When that day comes, you will be proud of what you achieved and how far you’ve come! :-) [Russell Dill]
Hi Erika! How are you feeling now? I do hope that you are feeling much better these past few days. I know that you are going through a very difficult time battling body weight issues and alcoholism. But always remember that there is always hope. It may be a long shot and the road to recovery will be rocky and tough, but with faith and perseverance, you can win the battle. When that day comes, you will be proud of what you achieved and how far you’ve come! :-) [ Russell Dill ]
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