By the numbers

[flexagon]

We had a health-themed party at work yesterday, and they gave out little Zillian-branded pedometers! So cool. I got an extra one to give to the Leaning Tower.

My body fat is, according to one of those electrical capacitance thingies, about 16%. I've been trying to bring that (and my total weight) down a bit lately... I think it's working, although my weight seems to depend a LOT on how the pooping goes. Today: not much, and I drank lots of water, and I weigh 4.5 pounds more than this morning. Weighing twice a day is really, really interesting in terms of showing how much variation there can be over a normal day/week.

Today it's raining and thunderstorming. Every instinct says it's a day to stay on the couch. Off to work.

Comments

[apfelsingail.livejournal.com]

I occasionally go on tracking kicks- it's pretty fascinating. And averaging three measurements/day is going to be more accurate over time, too. Unfortunately for me, it can also become compulsive, and that isn't too good.

[flexagon]

Knowing the inaccuracy of the tools I'm using to measure is what keeps me from becoming compulsive, I think.

[bluechromis.livejournal.com]

1) That's awesome about the pedometers.

2) I have a capacitance bf measurer and it varies so much I don't use it anymore. I'm tempted to do a dunk tank.

3) My body weight definitely fluctuates according to poopage. I'm always excited to hop on the scale after a really good one. Ha, this is just going to lead you to mention my poop-talk in line at sebastian's again isn't it?

[flexagon]

That's cool that you own one. They're more accurate than calipers, as I understand, and it's hard to have a dunk take at home, so I still sorta want one.

I will wait until we're in a classier place than Sebastian's next time. :)

On a related note (body mass, not poopage), I heard lately that we lose a non-negligible amount of mass through exhaling carbon. It makes some sense, 02 comes in and CO2 comes out so we're adding an atom to the molecule, but I haven't done any research into this. Do you know if it's true? I'm a bit fascinated by the concept, even though it has no practical application besides planning shuttle payloads.

[bluechromis.livejournal.com]

Like any of the bf measuring devices they're affected by the testing condition consistency, so I've heard that in well-trained hands calipers can be more accurate. Honestly every time I look into it I get annoyed because there are so many conflicting reports out there. I just want the damn number. The impedance ones are really thrown off by hydration changes, I've seen .04 swings over one day, which bugs me because that's 5+lbs of lean mass difference. They're more accurate for people with lower body weight and body fat though I believe so it might be more effective for you. In fact, you're welcome to borrow mine for a couple of weeks if you like and track it's consistency. I have one of the better hand-held models.

As far as CO2, never heard that. I guess I could see it being somewhat true, I don't have any real data to share there though.

[flexagon]

I would really love to borrow it for a while and play with it. Maybe I could borrow it on Sunday when we do the coffee? I promise to do some experiments with it, like try it, chug a bottle of water, try it again. And post the results.

[nahele-101.livejournal.com]

you relish in good bowel movements.

thats pretty cool.

what kind of workout program are you using? what are your goals?

[flexagon]

Right now it's yoga 2x/week, strength training 3x/week, gymnastics 1x/week... six, right?

I'm not a huge fan of goals in fitness. They tend to get people hurt or burned out, or even can limit progress ("I may as well slack off a bit, I'm gonna reach my goal anyway"...). I had a huge discussion about this somewhere on LJ, but can't find it in my backup right now. Anyway, that said, I'm working toward the splits, I'd like to be able to get up to a balanced handstand in the middle of the room much more consistently, and I want to age like a supermodel. I seem to like myself best when I'm a under 130 lb, so I'm trying to creep back below that line, but not for any reason except that I like that size/shape/feel.

Bowel movements for the win!

[nahele-101.livejournal.com]

working towards splits is a goal!

mine include headstand to handstand (already done it, just gotta hold the "pop" part), handstand walking backwards AND forwards, handstand walking in a circle, kip ups, front and back flip, windmills more then twice around, be able to touch my nose to knee without curving my back, etc.

I'm also planning on doing another triathalon this year.

[flexagon]

Actually, if you keep your back straight, your nose won't touch your knee -- your whole face will be down on your shin! That, I've done, on a good day; most of your other goals aren't even on my radar, and it's very hot that they're on yours. :)

Maybe I tend to think of goals as being more specific, like having a timeline attached. Wanting to do a triathlon on a specific date would be a goal, working toward splits but without a specified end date in mind is something I consider a bit different (though there's not a good word for it. it's, maybe, a direction, or an intention). Probably I'm just splitting hairs. Could I say, I do have goals, but most of them don't have specific end dates or completion criteria?

Exception: the algorithms class I'm trying to take this spring. I want an A in it, just because. :)

[nahele-101.livejournal.com]

hahaha...algorithms...I'm reading a book that goes into biological algorithms in relation to global warming and its affect on EVERYTHING.

an A is worthwhile!

[flexagon]

Yeah, I found out that this class grade actually will be rolled into my MIT cumulative GPA, even though this one won't be applied toward any degree. Weird.

Body Fat

[islenskr.livejournal.com]

16%?? SIXTEEN? Sheesh. I've been trying to get mine down to 20%! (And I mostly feel as though I'm beating my head against the wall.)

Re: Body Fat

[flexagon]

Yeah, it's higher than it was last time I was measured (10 years ago) but it's still low. 20% is a good goal... I'm afraid I don't have any good advice for you, though. Maybe eat a bunch of broccoli along with those cookies you just baked, and an egg, then skip the cookies and go to the gym. :) I know, no fun, huh? The anorexic online community has an interesting line, "nothing tastes as good as thin feels". In the context of where I learned it, it's creepy, I fully admit, but sometimes I think about that, and sayings like it, when trying to keep long-term goals in mind.

Love the icon you chose for your comment, btw. I was slow to get it, but damn, that's funny. :)

Smjor icon

[islenskr.livejournal.com]

I thank those six weeks I spent in Iceland. I found that butter at Whole Foods last year sometime and it literally stopped me in my tracks. I bought it because the label was so ridiculous and I seemed to be the only person in the Valley who knew just how silly it was.

It was delicious, by the way. I highly recommend Icelandic butter.

[figmint.livejournal.com]

16%?! wow, that's incredible! Especially for a girl! haha