Cholesterol Journey

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.