Life in Your Years Blog: Health, Finance, & More

To me, February is kind of like the middle day of football two-a-days, there is still a lot of work left, but you know you are almost done with them! This is how I view February and its relationship to the winter. It is kind of ironic I am using a summer football example, because the temperature was often in the 90s in Ohio during the summer two-a-days. Even though I hated the heat then, I could really use some of that heat right now!

At any rate, I have mentioned on here before I am not a huge fan of winter. This year hasn’t been too bad, even though it has been much colder than last year. I noticed on the forecast that this weekend is supposed to be “warm,” yes, in the 30s and even 40s, so that is pretty cool. I am ready for February, which is to say, I ready to be that much closer to spring!

Above is a photo of a nice, warm, spring day. As Fr. Wagner always reminds me, your mind doesn’t know the difference between reality, and what you think is reality, so just imagine you are there, walking and enjoying the fresh warm day, with a slightly cool breeze blowing.

What is a better way to keep yourself on track and share your own weight loss experiences? Well, the answer could be starting a weight loss, fitness, or diet blog. This blog is more than just weight loss, and is really about a sort of holistic wellness and health that includes, but is not limited to, weight loss, although weight loss is an important component to what we cover here (remember, we now have the official Life in Your Years Weight Loss Tips Page). This means that posting here is kind of like keeping a weight loss or fitness journal. Unfortunately, food is a tough foe, and I have seen weight loss blogs come and go, but I would like to link to some weight loss blogs I have found that a) are current, and b) may help you in your weight loss efforts. Please note that the majority of such blogs seem to be run by women, so I am not just gravitating to blogs run by females (note to my lovely wife)!

You’d Be So Pretty If…

Pretty-Face Heather

Discipline or Regret

A Merry Life

Chronicles of a Diet Drop-Out

The Token Fat Girl

I Don’t Want to Die from a Heart Attack When I am 25

Escape from Obesity*

Take some time to visit these blogs and offer some encouragement. Also, I just love the names of the blogs…very creative titles!

*- When I read the URL of this one, I thought it was “escape from mobesity,” and I thought, “hmm, is “mobesity” a trendy way of saying “morbid obesity?” Feel free to use that one folks.

In a previous post, Save Money, Go Open Source, I listed various open source (and free) software programs I use regularly. I like the idea of open source software on a philosophical level, in that a variety of people can participate to make a program better. However, my main reason for loving them is that they are completely free! Using open source software really should be an important part of living frugally and embracing financial wellness. Below are a few more programs that I find useful that can save you a lot of money if you use them in place of costly proprietary software:

GnuCash – I posted on this recently, but I will summarize GnuCash here. GnuCash is the equivalent to software like Microsoft Money and Quicken. It handles things like mortgages, credit cards, bank accounts, expenses, etc. You can even import Quicken and Microsoft Money files, so you can just download your information directly from your online banking sites, and reconcile it. GnuCash isn’t quite as intuitive as Microsoft Money, and is more advanced software, since it uses double-entry accounting principles, while Money is a single entry system. The former is more thorough, but more difficult to understand. I use GnuCash for business and personal purposes. It can generate handy charts to show your income versus expenses, where your expenses are coming from, etc.

PDF Creator – This is a .pdf printer, which means that you can print any document, image, etc, on your computer as a .pdf file. If you install it, you will see it listed as an option on your list of printers. Once you choose to print with it, you are given a choice to name it, assign an author, etc, and then you can save the document in any folder that you like. This is a handy way to create .pdf files!

Free Mind – Free Mind is an idea mapping software, which reminds me of those “pre-writing” bubble-like diagrams we used to do in English class. It allows you to brainstorm and generate ideas. I haven’t played around with it too much, but it looks cool.

Inkscape – Inkscape is a nice vector graphics design program. It is like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDraw. You can make some pretty cool logos and art with it, and I haven’t even begun to utilize its many features. If you design art for bulletins, newspapers, e-books, etc, this software is essential, and could potentially save you hundreds on software costs.

CamStudio – CamStudio is a program that allows you to record your actions on your computer screen, which means you can make videos of what you do on your computer. You can also record audio while you do it. You can save the output as various video file formats, so you can post your efforts on You Tube, etc. This software is very helpful for individuals who are making software or computer-related video tutorials. I haven’t used it too much, except to test it, but there is a lot of potential here.

This round of Open Source programs isn’t quite as broadly useful as the last round. The last round included some major programs (like OpenOffice) that help us with common tasks (like word processing). However, these FREE programs I have just listed will help make your life easier!

One of my goals this year is to develop both a personal and business budget, and keep better track of my books. When I went looking for software to do this, I looked first at open source sources. The option I decided on is GnuCash.

GnuCash is an open-source (i.e. free) accounting software package for individuals and small-businesses. I am beginning to use it for both business and personal purposes, to keep track of income and expenses. I wouldn’t call it super-intuitive, but for someone like myself with decent knowledge of computers, it is fairly straightforward. GnuCash is a double-entry accounting system, which means that for every debit you record, you have to have a credit somewhere else (for example, when a check is deposited in the checking account, it has to be debited from another source, i.e. from income). The same is true of all payments. For example, if I pay a credit card off, the amount also has to be entered into the checking account section. This is helpful for keeping good books, tracking income and expenses, and doing taxes later.

The first task I had to do was to set up and reconcile all of my accounts. This was time-consuming, because I have money spread out at various places in order to  get the  best return. This includes a good number of credit cards. Since I started this in January of 2009, I had to do a little calculating to reconcile the various accounts. I actually enjoyed it, because by using GnuCash, I am actually learning how to use double-entry accounting.

Gnucash seems to have a lot of features, many that I will not use at this point, but it meets my needs for the basic things I need to do right now. I hope to learn more as I move along.

I am a big believer in open-source software. It’s free. Period. And the quality of much of it is very good, and getting better by the day. In our current recession, I am surprised that more businesses aren’t using, and supporting the develoment of, open source programs.

A gross topic yes, but for those of us who are congested in the lungs, it is good to know how to clear phlegm from the lungs. I think I have Bronchitis, along with virtually every other person I know! Exercise was difficult, but I am sticking with it.

There are some drugs and supplements that tend to do the job of clearing mucus from the lungs (for example, Mucinex or N-Acetyl L-Cysteine). However, I don’t want to pay for Mucinex, and even though I take N-Acetyl L-Cysteine for other reasons, I researched ways to expel phlegm without taking a pill. Here is what I did the other day that seemed to work, and I have provided a link to a Web MD article that explains some other ways to clear mucus from the lungs.

What I did:

While sucking on a mentholated cough drop, I took a series of deep breaths. As I did this, I could feel (at least what seemed to me like) mucus in my lungs floating. It was almost as if I was loosening it from the lungs. After that I made myself cough short and sharp coughs, which brought up more infected phlegm than I had previously gotten up.

Also, this article provides ways to cough up phlegm from the lungs, which is helpful. Below is my summary of one of the tips in the article:

1. Use Controlled Coughing – To do this, sit on the edge of a chair, keeping both feet flat on the floor. Lean slightly forward, and relax yourself. Breathe in deeply and slowly through your nose, and fold your arms over your belly. As you exhale, lean forward. Push your arms against your belly. While continuing to exhale, with your mouth slightly open, and pushing on your belly, cough 2 or 3 times, in a short and sharp manner. The first cough is supposed to bring the mucus through the lung airways, and the next coughs bring it up and out. Finally, inhale again, but do it slowly and gently through your nose. According to the article, “Do not take quick or deep breaths through your mouth. It can block the mucus coming out of the lungs. It also can cause uncontrolled coughing.”

The article also explains other methods, like tapping on the back and chest, which I will let you read for yourself.

Also, hypothetically, Quercetin and Bromelain may help with lung congestion (or as commonly employed, a combo of the two).

CalorieLab has come up with a listing of the thinnest and the fattest states in the union and results are not pretty. Here are a few of my observations:

1. As with cities, weather doesn’t seem to necessarily help states- Just as Miami was the least fit city according to Men’s Fitness, a state with a lot of warmth, Mississippi, ranked worst in the fatness survey. In fact, the warmest states don’t have that good of records overall.

2. The South Has Risen Again- In this case, it’s their weight. The former Confederacy, excluding Virginia and Florida, are all in the top 20 of the worst offenders. I don’t know if it’s the traditional cooking, but it’s bad news for the health of the region.

3. The Midwest Isn’t Much Better- The South may be bad, but the Great Lakes States and the broader Midwest have pretty bad numbers too. My state of Ohio is in the bad top 20 too.

4. Turning Blue States Yellow/Green- Green and Yellow are the colors given to states that are not as obese in the listing. Of these 15 states, 11 voted for Barack Obama. 

5. Mormonism has some health benefits- Just as Salt Lake City was the fittest of the cities, so Utah does pretty well in avoiding obesity. Mormons avoid caffeine and tobacco, which certainly has health benefits. It probably relates to obesity because I’ll bet that the sugar water known as Coke and Pepsi doesn’t sell too well in Utah.

6. Even the good isn’t that good- This survey measures obesity and even the “best”  state, Colorado, still weighed in at 18.4% obesity. In fact, with the exception of Washington DC, every single state saw its obesity levels increase since 2007.

Men’s Fitness recently issued an open letter of sorts to Barack Obama as he gets ready to take the nation’s highest office. The letter challenges Obama to take the lead in getting the people of the United States healthier and fitter. Given the sobering statistics regarding healthcare costs in America, Obama must at least do something. You can read the complete list of suggestions, but I want to discuss a few.

-Set standards for school lunches- This is absolutely necessary, given that most kids eat crap everyday at school. My stepdaughter’s school has something fried on a bun nearly every single day with pizza on Fridays. This is scandalous in an age of childhood and adult obesity. If you make creative and healthy recipes backed by government funding (rather than just handing out free cheese and low grade hamburgers), change will happen.

-Re-instate gym class (and I would add, make it count)- Schools have eliminated gym class so now the little exercise children would get is gone. In the 50′s the USA got serious about math and science education and it helped us surpass all other nations in technology. Let’s do the same with health and fitness. And it starts with gym class where kids get active, learn fun ways of being fit, and receive the knowledge and encouragement to keep it for life.

-Deduct money for fitness- A bill in Congress proposes allowing tax deductions for gym equipment and fees. This makes sense. Give incentives for fitness. I think deducting so many health related items a year would be helpful as well (e.g. supplements).

It’s important that we keep Obama’s feet to the fire on the health issue. Our nation needs to get fitter and healthier. While I don’t expect the government to solve our problems, it can at least get out of the way and create incentives for better health.

Jonathan recently posted about the “little things” in his life, and I thought I would copy his idea. During the winter months, the little things matter more to me, because I am not a huge fan of the winter. My winters are generally not too bad, but I often struggle with them, because I like being outdoors.

About 5 years ago, I was going through a lot of stress, and that was probably my worst winter ever. One day I walked out of the house and the cloudy sky just made me feel trapped, a sort of claustrophobia caused by the dreary winter. I vowed to never have a winter like that again! So for me, it always helps to focus on the little things during winter. Note that these are little things that I am focusing on; I am not necessarily elaborating upon the big things like family, belief in God, etc, things that are foundational to my life.

Coffee – Like my brother, I enjoy the winter trips to Duncan Donuts for hot, creamy, coffee, but I don’t have one in my area, so usually I usually go to Tim Horton’s, which I like just as well. Most Fridays at work, we make a “Tim Horton’s run” where ones of us “buys” and the other “flies.” Jennifer and I also have gourmet Starbucks coffee that we got for Christmas that we brew at home, so I get a lot of good coffee. In the summer, I get more excited about iced coffee.

Work – I like my work. I live about a 1 minute drive from work, and work from about 7:30 until 3:00. This gives me time in the late afternoon to schedule appointments, take care of business, spend more time with family and friends, and go to the Y before dinner time. I am friends with my co-workers, and I have a good group of students.

Prayer – I enjoy my daily prayer. I often pray the Liturgy of the Hours, which is the daily, liturgical, prayer of the Catholic Church. I try to pray morning prayer and night prayer with my wife. It helps orient and structure my day.

Sauna and Hot Tub – Lately I have taken a more relaxing view about the Y. I do my full workout every other day if I can, but afterward I usually sit in the hot tub and then spend a little time in the sauna (steam or regular, depending on my mood). Recently, I have been going to the Y some on my “off days” just to walk a little and relax, because the weather prevents us from walking around our neighborhood like we do in the spring, summer, and fall. Afterward I hit the hot tub and sauna, and it is just what the doctor ordered this time of year!

Facebook – I am not on Facebook all that much, but I do enjoy keeping up with old friends and new ones. Outside of Facebook, I just have no way of meaningfully knowing that much about what my friends, old and new, are up to. Facebook provides that connection.

Working Out – I am finally seeing the kind of gains I have wanted for years. By this, I mean things like defined abs, low body fat percentage, etc. I am not always motivated to go the the Y, but once I am there, and run about a mile, I am ready to give myself a great workout.

Fitday – I have gone from Fitday being a necessary chore to an enjoyable habit. I have a naturally inquisitive mind, and I like having a record of my diet and exercise handy so I can track changes in mood, weight, etc, and see how my diet and exercise contribute to this.

Men’s Fitness has just released their list of the fittest and fattest cities in the USA. These kind of endeavors are always tricky since it’s not as easy as putting everyone on a scale and getting the average. The authors of the piece looked at several aspects:

Then, they graded each aspect and tallied the score. The results were interesting with winter sports mecca Salt Lake City, UT being named the fittest city and near tropical paradise Miami landing the fattest spot. I guess this proves that good weather is pointless if you don’t take advantage of it and bad weather doesn’t have to be a disadvantage.

I found it interesting that my city, Cleveland (well, the nearest city since I live in the country), made the fit list at number 15. We were docked for low air quality, junk food, few parks, and television watching while we succeeded in fitness options, commute, motivation, and sports participation. I think this is fairly accurate of how I would view Cleveland.

Another Ohio city, Columbus, made the fattest list. I used to live in Columbus, and I would agree with that assessment as well. They got docked on most areas, so I’ll just mention where some positives emerged: sports participation, commute, and motivation. I guess all that motivation just doesn’t get translated into actual action.

Philadelphia’s leaders, upon finding they made the fattest list, actually took concrete steps to correct that and are now off the list. Let’s hope Miami and the others find a way to get off it too.

Where is your city and do you agree with the assessment?

With the worst day of the year fast approaching (although this year’s exact date will be a little different), I wanted to post something about stopping to enjoy the little things in life. I don’t want this post to turn into anything sentimental, but I do think if we focus on (and actually do) the little things we enjoy, stress is more manageable and we are healthier. Here a few of the little things that bring me pleasure:

1. Dunkin Donuts- It has great coffee and espresso and free wireless. I can make coffee and espresso at home and do so often. And, I have the internet at home too. But, there is something nice about getting away to Dunkin’s, either alone or with family, just to relax and get outside the normal routine.

2. TV- This one should not be overdone, of course, but watching a few programs or DVD’s that I really enjoy helps my stress levels. My faves are the Biggest Loser, the Office, Everybody Loves Raymond, McLaughlin Group, Who’s the Boss, and Eddie Murphy action comedies.

3. A Nice Bath- Especially in the winter, getting into a nice, hot bath and just soaking is a great treat.

4. Video Games- I’m 30 years old, but still enjoy playing games. Are they generally mindless? Sure. But, I think a lot: in my job, my classes, my hobbies, and life. Sometimes I just want mindless.

5. Hanging with the family- Everyone is so busy that just sitting down and relaxing with my entire family is a luxury. But, I enjoy it a lot. Finding time for this really shouldn’t be something that requires effort.

6. Prayer- This also shouldn’t be something that I have to make time for, but sadly, it often is. I usually pray in my car on the way to work and then with my family in the evenings. Yet, I also love the Liturgy of the Hours and other more traditional forms of prayer that I need to make more time for.

Now it’s your turn. Find those little things in life that bring you pleasure. You’ll need all of them to deal with the winter days still ahead.

I got some of my blood work back, and generally it is good news. First the bad:

- My globulin is a little low at 1.8 g/dL. However according to this source, it is a normal enough number.

- My albumin/globulin ratio is a little high at 2.7. However some seem to think a high ratio (which is not necessarily “normal” if by normal we mean what is common) is a good thing, indicative of longevity.

- My bilirubin is slightly high at 1.4 mg/dL. This could be a result of my exercise program, and this number is considered normal by some sources.

- My AST is slightly elevated at 42 U/L, a level not considered abnormal by all. My ALT level is good, and the ratio between the two looks normal (based on my research) so I am not too concerned. That I took the test after just waking up, at about 7:00 AM, could be responsible for the slightly high level (that and I was basically dehydrated).

My doctor doesn’t seem too concerned, and when he saw these results, his first question was “do you take protein supplements?” He said I should lay off of them for a month, and take a test again, just to be sure. I admit I was a little freaked at first, because the lady over the phone told me that my albumin was 2.7, when she meant the albumin to globulin ratio. An albumin level of 2.7 is rather low, and would indicate that my kidneys were not working very well because I consume about 100-120 grams of protein a day, so my albumin should be higher, not lower (my albumin is at the higher end of the normal range).

Now, the good:

- Cholesterol is 177 (HDL 50, LDL 115)

- Triglycerides are 62

- BUN and Creatinine are normal, which is good because my dad struggles with kidney problems

- Everything else is normal, and I feel great!

I should note that I have questioned the relationship between cholesterol consumed in foods to the levels of cholesterol in the blood. I eat a lot of eggs as a cheap protein source. In fact, since August 2007, I have consumed an average of 601 mg of cholesterol per day, and my blood cholesterol levels are fine.

Ok, not the actual pot, which has been back ordered. But, thankfully the internet has a bunch of ways to make your own devices without the pot that involve simply a bottle of dishwashing detergent (well cleaned!), sea salt, and warm water.

Last winter was a sinus disaster for me. It was a non-stop cold or sinus issue pretty much from Christmas to Easter, which was no fun, especially since I didn’t give up good breathing for Lent! I decided this year to take a new approach to preventing sinus problems.

First, I upped my intake of immune boosters like Vitamin D and supplements that have shown promise to help with upper respiratory issues like Quercetin.

Second, I decided to lower my level of anything that depressed the immune system like stress, overexercising, etc. As much as I love going to the gym, I’ve toned it down this winter. I get the same results, but with less physical stress.

Finally, I decided to try a neti pot (well, an equivalent) and so far the results of my sinus flushing have been pretty good. Immediately afterwards, I am able to expel a good deal of mucus and my sinuses actually feel…well…healthy. And I can hear a lot better, which tells me something is working. I don’t have a cold, but the preventative aspect of this device seems good so far.

For those interested: How to Make Your Own Neti Pot (from ehow)

Remember, all of the above reflect my own personal experience and are not medical advice. Everyone should consult a physician before attempting to address sinus or any other health realted issues.

I think this goes without saying really, but an article in the Wall Street Journal makes the case that Alternative Medicine is Mainstream. I kind of default to alternative medicine, which is to say that unless an illness or condition strikes me as immediately serious (like when I slammed my finger in the car door), I try to treat it myself using natural treatments. This could be Glucosamine, weight lifting, Bromelain, and MSM for knee pain, or hyperthermia, Oregano Oil, and Vitamin D for a cold or other infection. This may be because alternative medicine is an interest of mine, because I would rather not get the doctor involved, because I know how going to the doctor needlessly raises health care costs, or perhaps it is all three. This is my way of being independent I guess.

I suggest reading the entire article, but below is something I found extremely interesting, and at the same time very disappointing. You’ll see what I mean (emphasis mine):

The choices are especially clear in cardiology. In 2006, for example, according to data provided by the American Heart Association, 1.3 million coronary angioplasty procedures were performed at an average cost of $48,399 each, or more than $60 billion; and 448,000 coronary bypass operations were performed at a cost of $99,743 each, or more than $44 billion. In other words, Americans spent more than $100 billion in 2006 for these two procedures alone.

Despite these costs, a randomized controlled trial published in April 2007 in The New England Journal of Medicine found that angioplasties and stents do not prolong life or even prevent heart attacks in stable patients (i.e., 95% of those who receive them). Coronary bypass surgery prolongs life in less than 3% of patients who receive it. So, Medicare and other insurers and individuals pay billions for surgical procedures like angioplasty and bypass surgery that are usually dangerous, invasive, expensive and largely ineffective. Yet they pay very little — if any money at all — for integrative medicine approaches that have been proven to reverse and prevent most chronic diseases that account for at least 75% of health-care costs. The INTERHEART study, published in September 2004 in The Lancet, followed 30,000 men and women on six continents and found that changing lifestyle could prevent at least 90% of all heart disease.

That bears repeating: The disease that accounts for more premature deaths and costs Americans more than any other illness is almost completely preventable simply by changing diet and lifestyle. And the same lifestyle changes that can prevent or even reverse heart disease also help prevent or reverse many other chronic diseases as well. Chronic pain is one of the major sources of worker’s compensation claims costs, yet studies show that it is often susceptible to acupuncture and Qi Gong. Herbs usually have far fewer side effects than pharmaceuticals.

While I do not necessarily trust our government or those making money from health care to change anytime soon, we can make healthy lifestyle changes RIGHT NOW that could save lives, and millions of dollars, now and in the future. I am already making dietary and activity changes that benefit my heart and circulatory system (for example, exercising regularly, eating foods high in Omega-9 fats, taking/eating fish oil, which are high in Omega-3 fats, etc). Maybe our new year’s resolution as a country should be to take cheap, effective, and side-effect free “integrative medicine” seriously, to begin to tackle our out-of-control health care costs.

A co-worker told a story today about a child who assured her mother that she liked brussel sprouts. The mother enthusiastically served them as a side dish at dinner, but noticed they were left on her daughter’s plate as she was clearing the table. She gently asked her daughter, “Didn’t you say you liked brussel sprouts?”

“Yes,” the girl replied, “just not enough to eat them.”

This story made me laugh when he told it this morning and it also got me thinking. While we often say that we value something, how much do we really value it? Enough to change? Enough to live it?

When it comes to health and fitness, it seems too many of us are like the little girl. We really like health, wellness, and fitness, but just not enough to actually embrace them and practice them. Too often health becomes about eating some fad food or trying some fad diet. Wellness becomes about reading a few articles or from a corporate standpoint sending a few token emails. Fitness is reduced to buying a new music player and having the right clothes.

I don’t want to sound too preachy or judgmental. In fact, I’ve been one of the biggest offenders and a pretty big hypocrite. I’ve been “into” health for 15 years (I started at age 15) and could tell you a lot about diet, health, wellness, and fitness. And, oh yeah, it was an important part of my identity. Except, I didn’t practice what I preached. I was the thrice divorced marriage counselor or the environmentalist whose company polluted the rivers. So, while I try to avoid being judgmental, I feel that I need to speak on the topic.

I’m all for concrete ways to change, so here are some suggestions to go from “liking” the brussel sprouts to actually “liking them enough to eat them.”

1. Be food smart- Don’t embrace the latest fad diet, but build eating habits that are sustainable for a lifetime. If a diet seems to good to be true, it is. And ask yourself, “could I do this for the next 50 years?” If the answer is no, you should probably move on.

2. Create a healthy lifestyle- This is related to number one. I always think back to a friend’s dad who lost a lot of weight on a low carb diet and said how happy he was he lost the weight so he could go back to eating normal again. I have a hunch he gained it all back. If you change your lifestyle to one of health and fitness, you’ll be more likely to lose the weight and keep it off.

3. Exercise is for life; learn to love it- My stepdaughter, fatigued by loads of homework, was shocked to learn that you never stop going to school. She thought somehow when you left high school and college it all ended. Too many people take that view with exercise and see it as a temporary unpleasantness to be endured. In reality, it has to be an important part of a healthy lifestyle…for life. That’s why you need to find activities you love or learn to love them.

4. Substance first, style second- Basically, if you look and smell good enough to avoid hitting the showers after a workout, get back to work. You’re not at the gym, the track, the club, etc. to look like a pampered prince or princess. You’re there to lose weight, build muscle, and/or get fit. You should be sweaty and smell at least a little raw. Crank up the intensity at the gym to earn that hot body you can show off nice and clean at a later time.

So, there are a few suggestions to actually live a healthy lifestyle. It takes work, but liking it enough to actually do it is worth it in the end.

I exercise because I am self-motivated, and I enjoy it, but occasionally there are the little recognitions that show me that I really am working hard and doing my body a favor. One such example is at the doctor last week when I went for a check-up.

The nurse took my pulse. “48,” she said, “that can’t be right; that is too low; let’s take it again.” She took it again and got the same number. “Do you work out a lot or something?” I smiled and said yes. The doctor came in and examined my breathing and also listened for my pulse as she did it. “Your heart is very strong. How often do you work out?” I told her and she told me to keep it up. A lower resting pulse rate is (usually) a sign of physical fitness, and athletes typically are in the 40-60 range. So I came home from the doctor rather excited. My blood pressure was also normal (which was not the case when I was overweight). Blood tests are due back in a few days.