Ummm...Got Blood?

OomarianneoO

I do. :laugh: But I'm gonna give some away today. The blood mobile is in front of the office building today.

Now...I just looked in the database for this and was surprised to find that no one has actually entered it in. So I guess I will. But what do I put it under or how do I label it? I mean it's not cardio, it's not strength training, it's not horse back riding. It's just donating some blood. Any suggestions?

OomarianneoO

I do. :laugh: But I'm gonna give some away today. The blood mobile is in front of the office building today.

Now...I just looked in the database for this and was surprised to find that no one has actually entered it in. So I guess I will. But what do I put it under or how do I label it? I mean it's not cardio, it's not strength training, it's not horse back riding. It's just donating some blood. Any suggestions?

MFS27

I think I remember (from previous discussion) it was listed at like 200 or 300 calories. Make sure you drink lots of fluids!

OomarianneoO

http://www.mayoclinic.org/donateblood/know.html

Actually, according to the Mayo Clinic, it's more like 650 calories for every pint! That's a whole workout session for me at the gym.

firegirlred

I love you guys. I don't want to be mean. But this is a terrible idea to add this to your calories. Just my personal opinion. First of all, the calories burned to replace blood loss does not happen immediately. Figure weeks.

http://www.querycat.com/faq/475225351416d1f3e62d302fac0b1641

If you add that quantity of calories to your daily "plate," you aren't going to have an accurate count. Plus, six hundred calories over 6 weeks comes to about 15 calories a day.

I hate to be mean. Yes you need to eat more and differently when donating blood. I don't know the answer as to how. Thank you for doing something so selfless and meaningful. Blood is almost always in short supply and it isn't a comfortable thing to donate. So I really mean it when I say thank you.

MFS27

I love you guys. I don't want to be mean. But this is a terrible idea to add this to your calories. Just my personal opinion. First of all, the calories burned to replace blood loss does not happen immediately. Figure weeks.

http://www.querycat.com/faq/475225351416d1f3e62d302fac0b1641

If you add that quantity of calories to your daily "plate," you aren't going to have an accurate count. Plus, six hundred calories over 6 weeks comes to about 15 calories a day.

I hate to be mean. Yes you need to eat more and differently when donating blood. I don't know the answer as to how. Thank you for doing something so selfless and meaningful. Blood is almost always in short supply and it isn't a comfortable thing to donate. So I really mean it when I say thank you.

I agree with you! I also donate regularly (I'm O negative, so Blood Source loves me :laugh: ) and don't add calories for donating - but sometimes I just like to know how many calories out of curiosity though - ya know?

Having enough fluids is so important (for me at least) - I have low BP, so if I don't drink enough I feel HORRIBLE and it takes a long time to fill up a pint sized bag.

OomarianneoO

Well thanks for bursting my bubble. :grumble: It's all good though. I didn't have a hard time at all (just got back from donating a couple of hours ago, then ate lunch). It was my first time so YAYEE for me! I was glad to do it.

Unfortunately, I know I went waaaay over on my sugars. :frown: I didn't take that into account before going. Before going, I had only had breakfast and that was a quick granola bar (7g of sugar) and a small apple (11g of sugar). They wanted me to drink a soda before/during and then fed me a fig newton bar afterward. :noway: I hadn't had a soda in about two months now (diet or otherwise). I feel like I can still taste the Pepsi. :indifferent:

Not being mean to me. I appreciate all the information I can get - especially from all of you guys. :flowerforyou: Worst part about it is that they told me not to do anything like going to the gym for 24hrs. So I guess I'll just write this day off as a "cheat" day. :indifferent:

OomarianneoO

Okay. Wait! I just got off the phone with the Red Cross. And while the lady (actually three different ones) couldn't answer the whole calorie thing, she did tell me that for every pint of blood donated, a person loses one pound!! What?! Yep. That's what she said.

Hmmm...I think I'll look into this further. Interesting thought, ain't it?

lessertess

Hate to bust the bubble again but it's not "real" weight loss. It's similar to the loss of water weight. Your body will replace the blood and then you're at net zero. There are TONS of good reasons to donate blood but calorie burn and weight loss are not included.

MFS27

Okay. Wait! I just got off the phone with the Red Cross. And while the lady (actually three different ones) couldn't answer the whole calorie thing, she did tell me that for every pint of blood donated, a person loses one pound!! What?! Yep. That's what she said.

Hmmm...I think I'll look into this further. Interesting thought, ain't it?

Well, yes - when something comes out, you weigh less for the time being (just like you weigh less after going to the bathroom compared to right before), however your body will restore that fluid (blood, urine, etc.) loss over time, so I wouldn't be too attached to the lower number you might see right after donating.

Like Firegirl said - the important thing is what a wonderful service you did for someone who will need a blood transfusion! So glad it went smoothly for ya! :flowerforyou:

OomarianneoO

Well, I wasn't in this for the weight loss factor, but I thought it would be a bonus. Oh well.

Bottom line... I lost a day of exercising and piled on tons of sugar that I didn't expect to. I will absolutely donate again the next time the bloodmobile comes through. This was my first time. Next time I will know what I'm getting myself into and be better prepared for it. Like I definitely could've worked out before giving blood and/or brought my own snack for afterward.

So much information. Thank you. :flowerforyou:

time2wrk

Especially no lifting so the needle site heals well. I usually go exercise right before I donate and take the next day off. Our blood donation places offer V8s to drink and saltines instead of cookies and juice if we like. That helps when you're trying to limit sugar. They just don't want you to faint and pass out and have to give the blood right back to you, ha ha.

arewethereyet

call them back for your cholesteral reading. it will be good and you will be happy.

also-next time have the orange or apple juice or bring your own...and bring an oatmeal cookie. Mine had kashi oatemeal cookies and apple juice. I felt like a school girl.

i also read that giving blood is good for your system. in the olden days that was what blood letting was all about. let out the old so the body produces new.

anyway. proud of you for donating. :flowerforyou:

OomarianneoO

I will say this...

The last time I had my blood pressure checked was the last time I saw my doc. That was back in March of this year. It was after I saw how much I weighed that day, that I decided to start this journey. My blood pressure that day was 120/80. Today, it was 100/60! How cool is that? :happy: