What’s in a number?

We live in a culture, here in the US, obsessed with numbers.  Numbers equal worth, many times.  How much money you make, what address you live at.

Numbers equal health.  Blood pressure numbers determine whether a diet change and medication is needed.  Cholesterol numbers often mean the same thing.

Numbers equal intelligence.  Where are you on the IQ scale? What is the rank of your child in his classroom?

Everywhere I go, I see numbers. I think about numbers.  There is even a show on TV called Numbers.

I dealt with my numbers this week.  A few days ago I did a body analysis test.  The numbers from that test were supposed to help me find a baseline to work towards; a goal.  They got my weight.  I can’t remember the last time I knew that number. I find numbers on a scale to be highly dishonest, especially when running long distances.  Muscle does weigh more than fat. Anyway….

The next number I got was my “health” age.  Based on my flexibility, my VO2, my upper body strength (oh that was a fun test!) and my age, they determine what age I am health wise.

None of my numbers were bad. In fact, they were quite good. If anything, the numbers reflected all the hard work I put into my training. And heck, it’s wonderful to be a 24 year old right about now!

Living in my new world here in South Florida, it’s easy to look around and feel a bit out of the loop.  Colorado has so many healthy strong people.  Florida has so many pretty tiny people.

Each time I think of the numbers I was given at my analysis I am thankful for them. I am thankful that instead of getting caught in how I look, I can reflect on what my body can do.  Instead of getting frustrated with not always being able to run the length of time I want to, I can see that my overall health is very good.   The numbers are working for me right now.