Plan B: Cause Plan A F**ked Us

            Plan B is a form of emergency contraceptive; it is a concentrated dose of progesterone.  Progesterone is a steroid hormone that, in women, has effects on the uterus and vagina. Progesterone helps the endometrium in the uterus be more receptive to egg for implantation. Progesterone also helps raise one’s body heat. Both of which help one’s body get pregnant. Progesterone also thickens the vaginal walls, making the journey of sperm through the vagina more difficult.  If the levels of this hormone drop, along with the hormone estrogen, then ovulation occurs. If there is no fertile egg and implantation of such egg, menstruation occurs. Hormonal contraceptives maintain a high level of these hormones so that ovulation does not occur. However, contraceptive is not human proof, so mistakes happen. The condom breaks, or falls off. The woman might forget to take the pill the day of intercourse, or the following day. In such cases, emergency contraceptives might be necessary, if pregnancy is not ideal.

There are a few different kinds of emergency contraceptives; Plan B is just one of them. As stated previously, Plan B is a high concentration of progesterone, which thickens the vagina’s mucus leading to difficulty with fertilization. Plan B does this effectively the day after; however, if one waits to take it, its effectiveness decrease with each day. After three days, it will not work. If fertilization and implantation already occurred, this contraceptive will not help with “getting rid of the problem”. It will not harm the embryo, but it will hurt one’s pocket (being worth fifty dollars for one pill). Taking this contraceptive may hurt in other ways, since there are side effects including nausea and pain.

I myself have taken this pill before, and more than once. Every time, the side effects changed slightly. The first time I took it, I was sixteen and in my first serious relationship. The condom broke, and I was never good at remembering to take my birth control pills. we started to freak out. We saw a commercial for this emergency contraceptive, and decided it would be better (and cheaper) to get this than wait and see if we have a baby. Well, one cannot obtain Plan B over the counter, unless one is seventeen or older. So, I had my then boyfriend purchase it for me. Although being a male, he was nineteen, so the CVS pharmacy sold it to him. Almost immediately after taking the pill, I began to feel extremely nauseous. I had sever abdominal cramping. I was very fatigue. I looked on the box for the warning of side effects; I had them all. The worst part was, when I was sixteen, Plan B came in two different pills. One you took immediately, and other you waited twelve hours to take. I felt all the side affects for the second time, when I had to take pill number two.  Afterwards, I was very careful of making sure we were protected, not just out of fear of baby, but out of fear of Plan B.

I did, however, have to take it again. As previously stated, I took it about three times in my life, with side effects being different each time. While I had all the side effects each time, they ranged in severity. The most recent time I took Plan B,  I feel a little abdominal pain, nausea and fatigue. The biggest side effect I experienced was a delayed period. I had taken Plan B closer to the seventy-two hour deadline, as opposed to taking it immediately after intercourse with fail contraceptives. I didn’t receive my period for almost eight weeks afterwards. There was spotting in-between then, but I didn’t receive a normal period for two months. This is not a very common side effect, but it is one of Plan B. 

To sum up, Plan B is an emergency contraception composed of concentrated progesterone. Progesterone is a hormone that thickens the vaginal walls, so that sperm cannot travel through, preventing fertilization. Progesterone is in regular birth control pills, as well. Birth control pills keep the hormone levels high so ovulation does not occur; once these levels lower after a few days, menstruation will occur. One can take Plan B if one’s regular birth control, i.e. condoms or birth control pills, fails. There are side effects of Plan B including but not limited to nausea, abdominal cramping and fatigue, all of which I personally experienced with additional side affects when I took Plan B.

Cardiovascular Fitness: Recipe for a Happy Heart and Body

Cardiovascular fitness refers to the health of one’s heart and blood vessels. The word cardiovascular means exactly that. “Cardio” refers to heart and “vascular” references blood vessels (Cardiovascular Fitness).  More specifically, cardiovascular fitness is the “capacity of the heart and lungs to supply oxygen-rich blood to the working muscles and the capacity of the muscles to use oxygen to produce energy for movement” (Smith). Essentially, when one performs a cardio workout, one is “enhac[ing] the ability of the heart and lungs” to do their functions, supply blood and oxygen respectively (Mercer). Furthermore, this also means that when performing a cardio workout, one is “enhac[ing] the muscle’s ability” to provide energy and movement (Mercer).

There are several reasons one should care about cardio fitness and if these systems are working properly. By definition, cardio fitness helps with the functioning of cardiovascular system, as well as the muscular system. Moreover, other health benefits exist.  Being physically active lowers the risk for disease, like cardiac, arterial, and vascular disease, hypertension, obesity and stroke (Smith). Additionally, cardiovascular fitness is linked with longevity and immunity (Mercer). Cardio fitness helps prevent heart diseases like cardiac, arterial and vascular disease because of how the heart is worked during cardio. With air coming to the lungs, the blood in the capillaries of the lungs absorbs the oxygen and carries it to the heart. The heart then pumps the oxygenated blood to the muscles and other systems. When one exercises, one causes the heart to pump at a higher rate while pumping more volume of blood as well. Over time, this causes the heart to become stronger, more efficient, and overall healthier (Cardiovascular Fitness).  Cardio fitness helps prevent hypertension (i.e. high blood pressure) because it improves circulation of blood flow while improving the heart (Horowitz).  Another benefit of cardio was discovered in 1995, in a Harvard study, which found “a distinct link between cardiovascular fitness and longevity” (Mercer). Essentially, the study looked at Harvard alumni over many years and noted that those who exercised lived healthier and longer lives as opposed to those who did not.  Cardio fitness does help one live healthier; it improves one’s immune system even. University of Miami preformed studies on AIDS patients, and concluded that exercise had a “profound impact” on the patients’ well being (Mercer).  It was also found that exercise impacted the health of elderly as well (Mercer). There are other health benefits, such as lowered cholesterol and increased endorphins, which cause one to feel calm or even happier than before exercise (Mercer).

After noting the benefits of cardio, one should note what consists of cardio. According to the article Cardiovascular Fitness, there are three stages: warm-up, the actual workout, then the cool down. The warm-up is a slow, low-impact motion, like walking for instance, and should last only for a few minutes. This is to prevent one’s cardiovascular system from the shock of an immediate and intense workout (Cardiovascular Fitness). The workout is an activity that “challenges the heart and lungs, thereby causing them to work hard than at rest” (Mercer). When working out, one’s heart rate should be elevated to a target heart rate, which could be calculated by subtracting one’s age from 220 and then calculate what 60 percent of that number is, and what 85 percent of that number is (Mercer). Activities that do this include, but are not limited to: running, or jogging, biking, swimming, skiing, or dancing (ex: Zumba) (Mercer). After these activities, one should “cool down” by keep moving in some fashion, such as calming walking around for a few minutes (Cardiovascular Fitness).

Cardio fitness is not limited just working out. It involves healthy diet and adding rest and relaxation time (Smith). Eating healthy is very important to maintaining a healthy heart, immune system and a healthy weight. There are ways to check to see if one has incorporated a healthy diet into their lifestyle. For instance, one may check the food pyramid to see if one is consuming appropriate amounts of grains, fruits, vegetables, and sweets. Adding time to relax, rest and distress helps also with immune system and longevity. According to an Adult Development and Aging course I am participating in, chronic stress leads to shorter longevity. Working out, and adding time to relieve stress would help with that. In short, working out for 30 minutes five times a week is not all that is needed to be healthy and to improve cardio fitness.

            There is a distinction between workouts. Aerobic exercise is when the workout is steady, and the heart and lungs have enough time to supply oxygen to the muscles. These exercises include swimming, jogging and walking (Cardiovascular Fitness). Anaerobic exercise is the other type of exercise. This is exercise is short, fast and the heart and lungs do not have time to supply oxygen to the body. These exercises, opposed to aerobic exercise, which can be done over longer periods of time, can only be done in short intervals. These exercise include activities such as 50-yard dash (Cardiovascular Fitness).

            Personally, I do a variety of things that help me with my cardio fitness. I try to maintain a well balanced diet. I check to see if I have adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables in my daily meals. I run two days a week. I participate in a Zumba class occasionally. I also participate in strength building programs, like Pilates classes. I also go for long quickened walks with my puppy on non rainy days. As far as my goals, I can now walk up stairs without feeling winded. I have started to slim down a little bit, not as much as I wanted though. My other goal is to improve strength, and I plan to increase my involvement in exercises like Pilates to do so.

References

“Cardiovascular Fitness” http://mabryonline.org/blogs/spannagel/images/CARDIOVASCULAR

             %20FITNESS.pdf

Horowitz, Marcel. "Exercising When You Have High Blood Pressure." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. 21 Sept. 2009. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. <http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/safe-exercise-tips>.

Mercer, Lisa. "Cardiovascular Fitness - What Is the Importance of It?" Health and Fitness, Diet and Weightloss. Love to Know Exercise. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. <http://www.health-and-fitness-needs.com/cardiovascular-fitness.html>.

Smith, Jack. "Cardiovascular Fitness." Weight Loss- Some Facts About Weight Loss. 11 June 2011. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. <http://weightlossabouthere.com/cardiovascular-fitness/>.

The Future Me

I have often thought of where I would be when I am seventy.  I never thought I would be were I am though. You see, I am not the average old woman, who stayed where she raised her family and helped out with the grandchildren. While I do like spending time with my family, there was always a part of me that wanted more. I had such a strong wonderlust. So, I travelled. I toured France and Spain, much like I did when I was young. I visited amazing sights like Egypt and Morocco, fished and dined in Japan. I recently decided to settle down, in Italy. If I had not fallen in love with the views, I surely fell in love with the food.

            Italy is a wonderful place. Every morning I go down the street to my favorite little bakery. I spend an hour or two there, enjoying my breakfast while I look into the courtyard, watching children play before they run off to school. Then I take a stroll around the main streets, visiting friends in the market place, and coffee shops. I thought as I grew older, my addiction to a fabulous cappuccino who disappear; such is not the case. My first friends in this country I met in a coffee shop, like most other places I travelled. I may run errands, and do minor house hold chores after my walk. Then, in the evening, my gentleman friend visits. We have dinner, drink wine, and enjoy each other’s company almost every night. We have been together for nearly eight years now.

            While my life today may resemble one similar to a younger woman, there are some changes that I had to get use to. The wrinkles on my face, hands and feet. The increase of grey in my hair, and the decrease of redness. Other than those small changes, plus the addition ten pounds I have gained either due to muscle loss or all of this wonder food I am accustomed to now, I look relatively the same. For that, I am thankful.  I enjoy my life; it certainly was not what I pictured for myself when I was twenty, and thinking of my elder years.