Tue 6 Sep 2005
I have just had my yearly fire fitness medical, and unfortunately it looks like my geek nature, multiple children and hectic life are getting the better of me. It looks like I have hypertension, or high blood pressure.
A quick chat to the sports professional doing the medical gave me the following advice.
I need to lose around 10-15kg in weight as I am currently 109kg and at 187cm (6′2″) I am about 14kg overweight. I am using this calculator which is just the first one I came across using google.
I am only 38 years old and I know I am fitter than many of my peers, as I do a fair bit of heavy and aerobic type work. However I really need to fix this. There are many reasons that I have to, like my work often involves sustained and heavy work up very steep hills, and the most common way for firefighters to die is via heart attacks. I also am concerned for my own health, and and well have to fix it.
I work around 10km from home, so will start to ride there instead of using the car, it is basically uphill all the way, so I should be awake when I get there, and the trip home will be a nice relaxing coast. I will also ride the kids to school/ kindy when I have that time of day free- I did this morning.
I really enjoy riding, and used to ride 100-200kms and go camping in a previous life. I have very little time these days though, as I am either working or watching children. I just need to make a slot for me.
I am not alone with having hypertension, as 1/7 Australian adults have it, while 1/3 American adults have it. Hopefully it is just a weight, lifestyle and food choice problem, and not genetic.
Update
Turns out the ride to work is 12km. Unfortunately I am unfit enough that it took me 66mins. The time will come down over the next few weeks hopefully.
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