Yesterday was the 2nd week I have attended the Shape Up Tennesse 2009 Class.  I know I said I thought the exercises would probably be hokey and not be of much help.  Geesh……I’m proven wrong again!!

I never realized how much my right shoulder had tightened up until I tried to do a specific exercise.  Hold your arms out to your sides with your palms facing down and then bring your arms up straight over our head with th back palms of your hands touching.  If you are doing it right, your arms should be touching both sides of your head.

The first few times I tried this exercise….yikes…my shoulder cracked like I had just broken a twig. Then of course, it really hurt and burned like heck.  I only did that one a few times because I couldn’t stand the pain.  The good news is, I practiced it all week and was able to do it without any problem yesterday.  It still makes a little crinking noise but it’s not painful like the first week.

Another exercise which was really good for me is putting one hand over the shoulder and reaching back as far as I can while using the other hand to reach behind your back (as if unhooking a bra) and reaching up as high as possible.  Then you have to switch and do it the other way. I sure feel that one in my shoulders.  

These exercises are better than any physical therapy class for me.  I remember going for physical therapy twice in my life.  Once for my back.  Those whirlpool baths were only good while I was in it.  Once out….back was right back to where it was.   I  went to therapy for my left shoulder.  Now that was really goofy.  She put this electrode thing on my shoulder.  It didn’t do a darn thing.  After my  third session,  I quit going.  I ended up joining the gym at the hospital and started working out on the weight machines.  That really helped.  Now it’s my right shoulder that needs some limbering up.

Each week I’ll share another exercise or two that I’ve learned at this class.  Becoming more limber will help to make a person more mobile.  Thus, increased exercise which will equal weight loss.  I love how they all work together.

I went to the senior center excited about starting this new Shape Up Tennessee class.  Since this class is free, I was surprised to see  there were only about about 15 people that signed up.  

I know three of them are not actively going to participate.  They only came to get the free blood tests that are part of the program.  With so few signed up, this surely will through off the final results of this group study.

When we were filling out the paperwork to become part of this group, I had to laugh when we had to put down our age.  It was the day I could say I was 57….my birthday was the following day.  I’m sure both of those years are lumped in a bigger age group so I don’t think it matters.

I was already to get started with the program but all we did was fillout the paperwork and had our vitals taken along with the blood work.  I was surprised to see I was still the same height I was when I was young.  I figured I would have shrunk some by now.  My weight was ugly….in fact….it was up 2 pounds from the day before.  I know that was because I couldn’t sleep and didn’t lay down until 5 am and then got up at 8.  I had been drinking soda all night.  I hate when I have nights like that.

My blood pressure was 110/56.  They used one of those wrist cuffs.  I really wonder how accurate they are.  All three of us sitting at the same table had similar blood pressures.  My blood sugar was 105 which is pretty good.  My cholesterol was 211.  It had been at 261 so I’m doing better.

I was not impressed with the woman that is going to be giving the class.  She said the exercises we were going to be doing were the type done by people with arthritis.  I know I had a puzzled look on my face when she told us that.  She said we wouldn’t have to worry about breaking out in a sweat.  I thought, oh great this is going to be one of those finger exercise classes.  Shen then told us that when she gave this class last year, she had been the only one who gained weight.  YIKES!!

Needless to say, I’m rather disappointed but not surprised by the explanation of this program.  Heck, most that signed up for this class are 70+ and older.   The oldest one is 92…but she is one that only wanted the free blood test.  The lady sitting next to me who uses a walker is 82. 

I’m hoping the nutritional material she is going to disperse during the classes will be stuff I can find helpful.  I enjoy the company of most of the people  (few newcomers) that will participating.  I plan on following through with 8 week program but realize I’ll have to do this weight loss/get fit program on my own.

Perhaps I will be surprised by these exercises.  I do have a little arthritis in my shoulders.  If it helps with that….I guess it’s worth it.

I went to the senior center for lunch today.  It only costs $1.25 for a balanced meal.  We had baked chicken, turnip greens, small piece of cornbread, and some fruit cocktail along with butter milk.  I brought water with me since I don’t like butter milk.

I found out today the center has received a grant for healthy living.  Let’s Get Fit In 2009 …..Tennessee Shapes Up is the title of the program.

The program starts tomorrow.  The best part is the program is FREE.  I’ve got to be there tomorrow at 9:30 am for pre-screening.  This will include height, weight (ugh), blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol.  The program is going to run for 8 weeks.  It will focus on nutrition education and exercises.  There is a gym and workout room in the community center upstairs which we will be able to use for free as well.  At the end of the 8 weeks there will be a post-screening to determine the health improvements.

I’m looking forward to participating.  I’m not sure how many I eat lunch with are interested in this class.  Most of them are quite a bit older than me (67+ years).  Although most are over weight like me, they don’t care to make any lifestyle changes.  I am bound and determined to lose this weight!!!!

I’ll write more about this program when I get home tomorrow.

I belong to the pink ladies and volunteer in the gift shop at our local hospital.  The bloodmobile had a scheduled visit while I was working.  I thought….how perfect….I can give blood when I get off at 4:00 pm.

Since I started/restarted this weight loss journey, I have increased my vegetable and fruit intake.  I figured I shouldn’t have any trouble giving blood.  Boy, did I get a surprise.

The nurse stuck the index finger of my right hand (ouchie) to draw blood.  I’m not sure what all they test for.  The one thing I know they test for is your level of iron.  Much to my surprise, my iron was at 10.4.  The nurse told me it had to be at 12 before they could except my blood.  She then said they could test the other hand because sometimes it will be higher.  I said ok and got my left index finger pricked.  Sad to say, my iron level in that test was 10.2. 

This tells me I have to start looking at iron levels in the food I’m eating.  I’ve been concentrating on low fat and low carbs when checking food items.  I felt bad I couldn’t give.  I’m sure they wondering how someone my size could have low iron.  Probably no more surprised than me….I don’t live on twinkies and candy bars.  Geesh……

The nurse explained they would send a notice the next time the bloodmobile would be coming to the hospital.  She suggested I eat a little snack box of raisins for two weeks prior to their arrival.  This should bring up my iron level.  I stopped at the store and bought 3 packages (18 boxes).  There are 90 calories in a box and 4% iron content.  I’m going to start eating one a day now to see if it will make a difference.  I think it’s going to be 3 months before they come back so it’s going to give me plenty of time to get my iron built up.

I’m glad I like raisins!!!