Gauges

This weeks People magazine features Jennifer Hudson and her "incredible" weight loss.

Firstly, I am so tired of these articles/commercials. Secondly, I am not a Jennifer Hudson fan.

Thirdly, apparently we're overlooking three major items: She just had a baby, she just suffered a huge loss and she used a weight loss company. Of COURSE she freaking lost weight.

My mom has always pointed that out about the weight loss company ads, they often choose women who've recently had children. (Angie Everheart, the most recent example)

There has been a lot of blogging about health, weight, dieting, etc lately. I might as well jump into the fray here.

I have two friends that have had tremendous success with Weight Watchers. Of all the programs, it seems to make the most sense. The other programs just seem to be profit-based over anything health based.

Oprah frustrates me to no end because her dieting always requires babysitters and expense. Of all the people who should hush about weight, it should be Oprah. Don't get me started on her "blown out thyroid" lie.

While I am on a rant now, can we just acknowledge how much Marie Osmond is beginning to look like a drag queen? And am I the only one that wants to throw shoes at the television when Valerie Bertenelli is on the television?

I don't subscribe that there is any One Way for maintaining healthy weight or lifestyle. I think there are too many factors at play. Genetics, lifestyle, economic status, environment. I think lifestyle is a very personal choice and no one else should get a say. (except the doctor, of course)

I heard on the radio about a completely different way to look at health. Instead of basing everything on the number on the scale, to look at your body in the same way that you would a car.

Cars have gauges that tell you exactly how things are going. Just like with cars, we don't often know exactly what each gauge means but they are important to pay attention to. Like a car, the human body can be generally healthy but still have issues. You can have great health but poor cholesterol numbers. You can be over-weight but be overall healthy.

The "gauges" that were explained were:

Blood Pressure
Pulse
Cholesterol
Thyroid
Sugar
Height (this one for osteoporosis. Using your height at 21 years old vs. your current height)
Weight

I liked the concept that there are other ways to determine "health" beside weight. I liked the idea of being thorough with your health diagnosis during physicals. A simple blood test will tell you three of the gauges.

Based on the above gauges, I am very healthy. I have low blood pressure, my blood work is always well within the parameters. I am *knock wood* rarely sick. What I lack is enough physical activity. This is good, it gives me something to work toward. That's the gauge I need to pay attention to.

What gauges should you pay attention to?