Bio Screening, Exercise and BMI

Greetings!  Last week I went for the regular bio-screening as required by my insurance company. I was happy to learn most of my numbers are in the normal range. My cholesterol, blood glucose are great. My blood pressure is very low as is the case for many runners and athletes. However, the one number that seemed odd is my Body Mass Index. According to this very quick assessment, that did not use that horrible skin clip, I am three (3) points overweight and two (2) away from obese. This was determined by my height and weight.

I see how that formula can work well. In fact, I have added eleven pounds in the last couple of years. These are not midsection pounds I gained. I have been engaging in resistance training and have increased muscle mass in my chest, shoulders, arms and quads. So, here I am as fit as I have been in my entire life, and the numbers say I need to work on my weight. You have to love it!

I always encourage folks to run, that will not add extra muscle, so run.

Tom

Inclement Weather

Greetings!  It's no secret I truly dislike cold weather. Try as I might, I never manage to hide from the occasional chill in the air.  After many years of mild winters, GA is seeing something more like a traditional winter this go around. Of course as I write this we are experiencing our third day with high temperatures in the 60s. Most folks are aware of the two snow and ice events in Atlanta, as our cornucopia of mistakes made national news.

The second winter blast kept Georgians in the house from Tuesday through Friday. Saturday the masses complained of cabin fever. I found the time very productive and was most pleased to have a number of ways to exercise out of the weather. I have run in the snow more time than I like.  Only, once did I make the mistake of running after an ice storm.  So last week, I used indoor cardio and resistance training to keep The Streak Alive. March 10, the 17th Anniversary is right around the corner. I saw no reason to twist an ankle or break a leg, not to mention I really don’t like the cold.

I always encourage people to run, but never ever on ice.

Tom

Something Sacred to Blog About

Greetings!  Many previous posts on this site refer to sacred sites. I've written about jogging in and around sacred sites and times when I felt it crossed the boundaries to tread on holy ground. As a religion professor, it's no surprise I hold sacred items and ideas in high regard. Last weekend we went to see the musical, The Book of Mormon. We missed the performance last year as it toured through Atlanta. I have read the reviews, and I am fully aware of the background of its three principal writers. Confusion came as I also know the show has won a number of Tony Awards. I wanted to see how this actually played out on stage.

 

Make no mistake, the sets, singers and dancers met high expectations. However, the lyrics and dialog showcased a total disrespect for the sacred. The show uses The Book of Mormon and members of the Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints as the focal point to then make light or religion writ large. That is fine, too. I poke fun myself. However, the show's overuse of juvenile sex and bathroom humor missed the mark. Actually that is my real issue. The puerile entertainment appeared to work, even in the Bible Belt. The show sells out town to town, audiences cheer and applaud, even though many audience members are the very bull's-eye of the script. I haven't figured out who would even consider this base level of writing to be award worthy. That's another piece, and one not worth pursuing.

 

A final concern is the conversation I heard and took part in during the intermission and after the show. Show folks really believe they are getting authentic information about The Book of Mormon and the people who hold it as sacred. I have yet to mention the caricature made of Uganda and African people. "Oh, everyone knows it's just entertainment." I've been teaching for over 20 years and college students refer to television and movies more often than lived experience as a sources of information at astounding rates (yes- I’ve been collecting data). I guess I shouldn't. Facts are not as interesting as a holy book up someone's rectum or maggots in an African's scrotum.

 

Go to musicals. Get provoked. Run.

Tom