Today, I gave blood. We have the Puget Sound Blood Center come to our offices and I was able to jump on the bus and less than an hour later, I was one pint of the red stuff lighter. I love being able to contribute to saving lives today. When was the last time you donated blood?
One of the benefits to donating blood is that I get to have a free mini-health check. And here are my stats:
Blood Pressure: 118/64
Temp: 97 Degrees
Pulse: 72 bpm
Iron: (passed)
My blood pressure looks just fine. I'm right in the normal range according to the National Institues of Health, which lists normal as <120/<80. My temp is normal for me. My pulse is right in the normal range according to WebMD. Really, I wasn't worried about those numbers. What worried me was my iron. Last blood drive, they pricked my finger and tested my iron--I didn't have enough. They tested again, and it passed. This time, I worried that I wouldn't pass, but I did. I actually think I may be anemic. My hands and feet are often really cold (and I used to be burning hot all the time), and I sometimes get dizzy when I stand up. But I'm rarely short of breath, I rarely have headaches or chest pain. So I'm not sure. But my eating charts show that I'm not really getting enough Iron in my diet. So, I've been having red meat once a week; taking my multi vitamin daily; and eating more leafy greens (and maybe having some blackstrap molasses). Does anyone know if losing weight can lead to anemia??
And, when I got back to my desk, I say this sitting on my keyboard:
It might be hard to read, but one of my friends dropped off a copy of the weight loss success story in Men's Health. can you read the note? It says, "YOU NEED TO SUBMIT YOURSELF!!" How freaking cool is that? That is one of the biggest compliments ever. I am a success--even if I never am in a magazine. Thanks, Dan!
Thursday:
24 minutes on elliptical
24 minutes on stair stepper
50 situps
50 push ups
1 60 second front planks
1 30 second side planks (each side)
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion
Total:
36 minutes on elliptical
36 minutes on stair stepper
250 situps
250 push ups
5 60 second front planks
5 30 second side planks (each side)
5 miles walked/ran
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion
date with Anna
fast
Weekly Calorie Count:
Sunday: 2,499 Calories
Monday: 2,190 Calories
Tuesday: 1,223 Calories
Wednesday: 2,306 Calories
Thursday: 2,107 Calories
Friday:
Saturday:
Daily Average: 2,065 Calories.
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6 comments:
June 11, 2010 at 10:33 AM
You should totally submit yourself!
I don't give blood, I'm not allowed to in this country because I lived in London for 3 years (mad cow so scary NOT) consequently I just get annoyed when they talk about a blood shortage, lots of people who lived abroad or ever served in the military can't donate...
June 11, 2010 at 11:11 AM
Beej, I used to be burning hot all the time too and my toes/hands get freaking cold now too. I think it's due to the weight loss and our blood staying in our cores more. We notice the decreased amount of fat insulation too :)
Anyway, I can't give blood in the US for awhile. I gave blood at an orphanage in Cambodia and if you give blood in a third world country, well, the US hates you. Oh well. I GOT SOME GOOD BLOOD and you can't have it!
YOU NEED TO SUBMIT YOURSELF!
June 11, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Love the compliment you got Beej - and your coworker is right...you DO need to submit yourself :)
ps. you're one of my fave friends too ;-)
June 11, 2010 at 3:55 PM
Great job on donating blood. I can't because I have low iron. I did it once and I felt like I had taken LSD for three weeks after.
You should definitely submit your story...I would even buy that issue!
June 11, 2010 at 6:40 PM
That is a great compliment Beej, and I certainly think you should submit your story!
June 12, 2010 at 10:05 PM
Magazine or no magazine, you are a success. And an inspiration.
I would buy that issue too.
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