Our Historical Personal Statistics

Page Usage Notes

NOTE 9/2/10: Over the past several weeks, the fat percentage readings have been almost always "error" for Paul and many times below 10.0 for Kitty. New batteries were installed with no change seen. We suspect a fault in this feature, less evident when the floor is cold, and we plan purchasing a new scale when in AZ. LATER (November): In AZ & scale operating normally.

* As measured first thing upon awakening (basal) using a Tanita Duo Body Fat Monitor/Scale Model TBF-622 in the athlete mode. We are using the athlete mode because the literature states that it is appropriate for those who exercise regularly and have a resting pulse below 60. An approximate 6% point difference exists between the adult "standard" and "athlete" modes due to the regression method formula difference used in the bioelectrical impedance analysis programing, described at the Tanita website. (Later in the day when Paul/Tom is more hydrated, he registers an error for fat % in the athlete mode - which means that it is essentially too low to measure!) We suspect that the formula does not take into account the body makeup of someone on calorie restriction. Interestingly, the company does not recommend the monitor for body builders or professional athletes, who will presumably show incorrect body fat % measurement. We suggested by e-mail to Tanita that they review their formulas for those with extremely low body fat through calorie restriction. In the meantime, we monitor ourselves primarily for comparison purposes over time.

** As of 6/2/09 in Ontario: as measured upon awakening before any activity using an Omron Blood Pressure Monitor Model HEM-431CAN purchased in Wal-Mart; using ReliOn Manual Inflation Blood Pressure Monitor model HEM-412CREL while in AZ also purchased at Wal-Mart.
Prior to 10/1/08 in Ontario (when approximately 13 year old equipment was malfunctiong for both of us & pulse taken manually) as measured upon awakening before any activity using an AND Medical Digital Blood Pressure Monitor model UA-702. Kitty's upper left arm circumfrence is just below the minimum of 22cm and often results in unobtainable blood pressure measurement. Since 6/2/09 her measurements are always taken on her right arm; we are searching for a source of a cuff for small arms that can be used with our existing equipment.

*** From mid-2008 to late July 2009, measurements were with Accu-Chek Advantage Blood Glucose Monitor. Having depleted these strips, measurements in Sept 2009 were with (expired) SideKick, which were used for most of 2007 and the beginning of 2008 - the SideKick All-in-One Blood Glucose Testing System (disposable meter with 50 strips) available online at American Diabetes Wholesale at a price comparable to other systems when also considering the strips. In the past we exclusively used an Accu-Chek Advantage Blood Glucose Monitor carried by most pharmacies and many online websites, including this one for Accu-Chek itself.
Begininning with the October 2008 reported results, these are at the end of our 40 hour fast (unless otherwise stated), which comes just prior to our meal (before pre-meal pills). Exercise-related measurements are taken during the day while still fasting (except for water and tea) and sometimes post-prandial (after our meal).
NOTE 3/7/09: Accuracy of the SideKick, or at least those we purchased, is in question and also even Accu-Check Advantage. LabCorp results for fasting blood glucose on 7/19/07 were 75 and 64 mg/dL for Paul and Kitty, respectively; additional measurements of 70, 78, and 85mg/dL for Paul on 11/30/07, 1/7/08 and 2/18/08, respectively. Kitty's LabCorp result for 12/5/07 is 84 mg/dL. Interestingly, venous blood for Kitty tested 1/27/09 on Accu-Chek meter measured 74 (LabCorp result = 74) while fingerstick result was 87.

^ As measured using wrist measurement per the instructions at MedlinePlus Health Info - Height and Weight.

^^Exercise - Blood pressure and pulse are taken with same equipment as described for Note **.

"Stair/Step Climbing":

• In Arizona - on our staircase from ground level to finished basement and consists of 14 steps to the landing (a turn and 2 more to the floor are not typically used). For Kitty this is done 2 steps at a time without any rest between roundtrips (RT). Since mid-February 2010 Paul's roundtrips have been single steps because he carries 30 pounds distributed evenly between 2 packs, one worn in the front and the other on the back. Additionally he wears 4 pounds on each wrist. This is part of a 2 hours per day regimen of weight bearing "exercise", the remaining time while performing standing/moving daily activities in the house and outside.
• In Ontario - the location is our outdoor natural steps and also our neighbor Susan's steps, when she or her family is not present; when this latter occurs more roundtrips are made on our own steps. The rise of some of our steps are short enough to enable double steps and all the wooden steps on Susan's longer climb are also suitable for taking them double on the upward climb. Some yard excursion at the top and bottom of our steps at a brisk pace is included. Paul adds upper body work by way of log carrying, sawing and chopping on many days as the need for and opportunity for such tasks are present. See photos.

"Ontario Outdoor Exercise" being used for these measurements, other than steps described above, is varied:

• Hiking along dirt roads, rough paths, and cross country in woods of various duration often combined with berry or mushroom picking (much bending, stretching and squatting); includes a fast walk for the last 1/2 mile.
• A 3.4 miles fast walk/jog over winding moderately hilly (some quite steep) dirt road around the lake on which our cottage is located. Conversation, while not constant during this exercise, is done without effort except on the steepest longest hill. Photos of this "course"

"Arizona Outside Exercise" being used for these measurements is one of two types. A short one is just under 2.5 miles paved street and some dirt road in the immediate neighborhood, done at a fast walk interspersed with runs. The longer is estimated at ~4.2 miles, relatively flat uneven terrain, done as a fast walk/jog. The latter is the "course" shown in these photos was done without any pauses for trash picking or nature observing. Conversation, however, while not constant during this exercise is done without effort. On 2/1/05 the time for completion was 57 minutes, without pauses for garbage pick-up. Blood pressure and pulse are taken with same equipment as described for Note **.

"High energy dance" exercise being used is at least for the period of time stated non-stop energetic dancing with much whole body movement at public venue to house or trance music in Arizona unless otherwise stated. Typically at Switch Wednesdays when blood pressure and pulse are taken in our car - about 5 min walk - prior to and after leaving with same equipment as described for Note **. Secondary post measurements are taken after period of time driving home, usually at a late night errand stop. (We do our weekly grocery shopping on Wednesdays prior to dancing; 2 stores sometimes on the list are open 24 hours.)

"High energy dancing/exercise" being used for these measurements is a 45 to 60 minute non-stop combination of energetic dance and full body exercise moves to streaming audio on the Trance, Hard Dance or Eurodance channels available from DI.fm. In Arizona this takes place in our large finished basement that has mirrors on 2 walls providing an opportunity to check our body technique. Blood pressure and pulse were taken with same equipment as described for Note **.

"Toronto Exercise" for measurement is a fast "city walk" and up the one flight of stairs to our apartment; this varies depending on the distance walked and number of stops made for errands. Parameter recovery after dancing at clubs is too fast by the time measurements can be taken (when the music is sufficiently energetic) to demonstrate changes.

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Page last updated 12/9/2011

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