WARNING: LONG POST...Only read if you're interested...
On May 8th, I went to the doctor for a physical and general health checkup. I was feeling really good about myself because I had went from 272lbs at my highest pregnant weight to 203lbs on the dr. scale (which by the way, I hate the old time scales...they always seem so wrong compared to my home digital scale). They did a simple blood draw and told me my cholesterol results would be in a few days later.
The next day the nurse called with the bad news. "You have high cholesterol - seriously high! You need to schedule a doctor appointment right away."
Weight: 203
Total Cholesterol: 252 (shoud be lower than 200)
LDL: 169 (should be between 0-130)
Tri: 160 (should be between 0-150)
HDL: 51 (should be between 40-60)
So, all of my hard weight loss work wasn't working in terms of getting healthy...and I scheduled my doctor follow up for the next week. He basically said I was in a very high risk zone and that I needed to make immediate changes. I agreed and told him that I would try anything to stay off of meds. So my one-month-do-anything-I-can-to-lower-my-cholesterol began.
For the past month, I have been really working hard to change my lifestyle, yet again. I'm still doing Weight Watchers...but now I only eat things that will work to lower my cholesterol. No more snack packs, no more artificial sweetners, no caffeine, no more candy/sweets, no more fast food, no more fun cereal, etc. Most days I eat the following:
Breakfast:
1/2 cup oatmeal with fresh berries (no sugar/sweetner/brown sugar/etc.)
4 oz cranberry juice
Snack:
1/4 cup almonds
Water
Lunch:
PB&J (reduced fat PB and reduced sugar J) on 1 slice whole grain bread
Water
Snack:
Fruit/Granola/Celery/etc
Water
Dinner:
3 nights chicken (3oz) and veggies
1 night fish (3oz) and veggies
3 night veggies w. pasta
Beer
Snack:
Fruit
Surprised by the beer? I certainly was. My doctor recommended that I drink one alcoholic beverage per day. Studies have shown that this can help reduce cholesterol numbers.
I was also told to increase aerobic activity. So, we joined the gym and I've been taking classes as much as I can. I really like all of them that I've tried including: Zumba, Water Aerobics, Pilates/Yoga, and Spinning.
I was also told to take 4 Fish Oil supplements per day.
Now for the results...this week I had my one-month follow up with the doctor. He told me that he was hoping my cholesterol would be down to below 240...and...drumroll please!!!!!!
Weight: 187 DOWN 16lbs
Total Cholesterol: 204 (shoud be lower than 200) DOWN 48 points
LDL: 124 (should be between 0-130) DOWN 45 points
Tri: 132 (should be between 0-150) DOWN 28 points
HDL: 54 (should be between 40-60) UP 3 point
So...no medicine for me...I can't believe how great this news is. I need to keep up this new lifestyle and continue to bring my numbers down. It isn't easy - but I'm worth it! and my family is worth it! So, there it is...what I'm doing. I have to give credit to Weight Watchers for helping me with eating and holding me accountable. I also have to give credit to my doctor for scaring me into this newer lifestyle. I also have to give credit to my friends/family who have been so supportive of the new me! Most of all, I need to give credit to Dave - without his constant love and help, there's no way this would be possible. I am so blessed.
5 comments:
You are amazing Mindy....GREAT JOB!!!!!
You're the meaning in my life
You're the inspiration
You bring feeling to my life
You're the inspiration
Wanna have you near me
I wanna have you hear me sayin'
No one needs you more than I need you
OK, that was just lyrics from a Chicago song, but I still mean it. BTW- thx for the shout-out!
Mindy...I am impressed and proud of you! I don't know how you are surviving on the small amount of food that you are eating...I need your strength! I am also doing ww and it is a very slow go this time around. I totally agree...you can lose weight and still not be eating healthy...I am guilty of eating too many 100 calorie snacks! I started taking meds about a year ago for my cholesterol...so far so good. I'm off to zumba!
Add me to the list of people who think you are amazing--Congratulations, Mindy--keep it up!
you look AWESOME and you have worked so hard. GREAT job! i started tearing up when i was reading dave's comment...then i realized it was a song. still very sweet!
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