From the champuru health & fitness blog:

Today, I went in for a routine physical to ensure that my body is in decent shape to endure my upcoming surgery. My regular primary care physician was on vacation, so I opted to make an appointment with another family care doctor at the same clinic. Seated before a wall-mounted flat panel, the doctor queried me about my family medical history, current medications and past and present maladies.

His computer did a quick calculation of my BMI and found it to be 23.6.

* Underweight = <18.5
* Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
* Overweight = 25-29.9
* Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

As you can see, 23.6 puts me in the “normal weight” category — but I am pushing the upper limits. So, I asked him, what can I do to stop the upward creep toward the overweight category? Here’s what he said:

1. Exercise 4-6 times a week for 30 minutes.
2. Eat 5 meals a day. A hearty breakfast (never skip), snack, lunch, snack, and a light dinner eaten as early as possible.
3. Start eating whole grains: whole wheat bread, brown rice. If you eat white rice, try not to eat it for dinner.

He mentioned that exercise is even more important than following a strict diet. Incorporating exercise into your schedule is the best thing you can do for your health to avoid preventable ailments such as heart disease and diabetes.

None of this is new, but knowing it is one thing, applying it is another. How are you doing with incorporating these changes into your lifestyle?

Oh, and to follow up on my previous post about appearing to have lost weight? I suppose it was all a clever optical illusion, since my weight has not changed since my last visit to the doctor a few months ago. But let’s look at the bright side: at least I haven’t gained any weight since then.

From the champuru health & fitness blog:

We succumbed to the wiles of a late night infomercial and purchased the newest exercise contraption called the Fluidity bar. I ordered it Tuesday, I got notification that it shipped yesterday, and, lo and behold, it arrived today. I’m still salty about having to pay an extra $100 for shipping to Hawaii, though. Grr.

The concept behind the Fluidity bar makes perfect sense, using your own body weight as resistance and teaches a balanced program of strength and stretching. It looks like something that would benefit both Hubby and I. (Although their marketing blatantly targets the female population.) My muscles are riddled with tension and seem to be growing increasingly inflexible. I’m hoping that the Fluidity bar will help me increase my flexibility while toning those flabby muscles.

I did my first 30-minute workout tonight. Most notably, I feel it in my abs, hip flexors, shoulders, and thighs. Good stuff.

Friday 5‘ing! Oh, how I love, love, love Fridays!

1. What specific advice would you give to someone moving into your neighborhood?
Don’t speed up or down the steep hill into the valley. Many drivers have lost control of their vehicle, only to go hurtling into the wall or a tree. Wall or tree usually wins.

2. What specific advice would you give to someone beginning a job at your workplace (or attending school where you study, or, if you’re neither a student nor employed, doing whatever it is you do with your days)?
First and foremost, you must learn to roll with the punches. Always be ready to switch gears and try not to get too bent out of shape when something you’ve been working on diligently suddenly becomes completely unnecessary.

3. What specific advice would you give to someone who wants to begin an online journal or blog?
Do it! And please, try to update more regularly than I do!

4. What specific advice would you give to someone who wants to take up a hobby you’re really into?
Buy a digital camera and just start snapping. Take pictures of everything and anything. The more photos you take, the more likely you are to capture a serendipitous gem.

5. What specific advice would you give to someone who wants to marry your closest, unmarried friend?
Be genuine. Be honest. Be fun to be with. But, most importantly, take her shopping.

“Do you know what today is?” Hubby’s mom quizzed us in the church parking lot as we were saying our goodbyes following the morning service.

I quickly scanned my brain for birthdays, anniversaries or other dates of interest and came up with “no results match your search criteria.” Even Hubby was stumped.

“It’s the day you came back from Iraq,” she grinned from ear-to-ear. Undoubtedly, one of the happiest days in all of our lives. Hubby’s safe return from a year-long deployment to a warzone is certainly an event to celebrate. It’s been two years since.

It’s amazing how quickly we forget those long months apart, the painful goodbyes that ripped my heart out at the end of every brief, but precious phone call, and the countless prayers lifted for Hubby’s safety and prompt return.

Two years. Time flies and we have settled into our common lives once again. Those moments seem so far away.

It reminds me that I am already blessed. I have a beautiful and loving family: my husband, parents, and in-laws — all of whom I am so thankful for. Everything else is just gravy.

As the appointed date draws closer, I am experiencing some indecision and uncertainty. My thoughts are a tangled mess. I can’t understand why something so seemingly natural should be so hard to accomplish and require so much outside intervention.

I’m talking about getting pregnant.

As Joyce and I mused about life on the drive to Ala Moana yesterday, we both remarked about the “injustice” of it all. People who don’t want kids get pregnant by accident. People who have too many kids have more. People who really want kids, can’t. I know I’m not supposed to understand everything on this side of heaven, but sometimes I wish I could hear God’s audible voice relating His perfect will for my life. But, I guess that’s where faith comes in.

To be honest, I have complete peace about undergoing the surgery and IVF procedure. I feel that if I don’t at least try, I will have regrets in the future. On the flip side, I wonder if IVF would be akin for forcing our own will/wants over God’s? Am I doing it for the right reasons? Again, it goes back to the same issue: if I knew what God’s will was, I wouldn’t be writing this entry.

Oh, what I wouldn’t give to have a hotline to God right now.

Ultimately, I know that if it’s not God’s will for us to have children, we won’t. That’s something no amount of medical intervention can force. Hubby and I are praying about it, really seeking an answer before April. In the meantime, I will continue doing research and waiting on the Lord.

Through it all, I know there are lessons to be learned. As I have done so many times in the past, on the other side of this trial, I know I will look back and marvel at what God has done in my life.

Friday 5‘ing on a Saturday…

1. How’s your car running?
Running smoothly, but needing a car wash - badly.

2. How’s your blood pressure?
My blood pressure tends to be on the low side. This is something I am monitoring, however, since high blood pressure runs in my family on both sides.

3. How’s work (or school)?
Work is work. I do it because I have to, not because it brings any semblance of enjoyment or fulfillment in my life.

4. How’s 2007 so far?
So far, 2007 has been good. It promises to be an eventful year, but you get to follow along right here to see what actually transpires.

5. How’s your hair?
Currently, it’s in an awkward, in-between stage. I can’t decide whether I should grow it back out or cut it shorter again. I’m not liking it too much right about now.

Thanks, everyone, for dropping by, posting your comments and totally tempting me to bring another Apple into the Champuru household. (Thanks, also, for the folks who left a comment for the first time. It’s always neat to see new names — and discover your websites/blogs!)

I managed to resist the temptation to buy a MacBook and allow myself to yield to my practical side. Mind you, it’s not often that I do. Honestly, I am normally the first to jump on any opportunity to acquire new technology, but thoughts of costly medical procedures looming and the possibility of a baby or babies (!) in the near future gave me pause. Could it be, maternal instincts kicking in? We can only hope.

Although I am only allowing myself to be cautiously optimistic about this whole conception thing, my mind still wanders to thoughts of what it would be like to be a mother. After being married for 13 years, having the freedom to come and go as we please without having to think about childcare, diapers, schools, homework, soccer practice, etc., I wonder if I’ll be able to transition into parenthood without completely freaking out. I am confident that Hubby will fare just fine, but me… a lonely only with no experience with children, now that’s questionable.

As for the IVF, well, we’re still praying about it. We still have a few weeks before I go under the knife to make our decision. So much to think about and a long road ahead if we do indeed decide to move forward with it.