Many of you may know my brother died earlier this year of a heart attack at 42 years old. That was my wake up call. Last week, I went to the doctor and had my blood drawn and sent to the lab, got some other stuff checked out, too.
The numbers are in, and some of them are what I thought they would be, some were a pleasant surprise.
I am running a perfect fasting blood sugar of 90. That was a surprise, I thought diabetes would be starting up since it runs heavily in my family. That was a plus, especially considering it was my biggest worry after watching my Mom have complications with it.
Blood Pressure was fine. I have been stressed out lately and it was 120/70.. it was around 113/70 at my last appointment 3 mos ago.
Cholesterol was the major "fixit". I am now on Zocor (my first daily medication - hooray! I have to overhaul my diet, or I am most certainly going to die from a heart attack.. which is as common in my family among the men as the name Smith is in the phonebook. My base cholesterol was 268 (!) and my LDL was 168 (!).. in other words, I gotta get to wok on that right now.
I have been successfully taking weight off for the last two years, I started at 270 lbs in Xmas of 2011 and right now I am around 225...was 214 when my brother died but I am an emotional eater.. Those numbers are not nearly as bothersome as the cholesterol, however. So now the whole diet changes. No more trips for fast food except the occasional chipotle burrito without SC or cheese. Pizza- gone. Fried Chicken- Gone. Hot Dogs (sweet Jesus no more conies from Skyline) GONE. ALCOHOL- GONE. Man, there really is not much left that I enjoy. CHIPOTLE BURRITOS- well, I would die before giving that up, but maybe I will start eating the chicken and no cheese or sour cream.
Additionally, I have to start supplementing my diet with flax seed... since I have a severe seafood allergy, my body doesn't get nearly the Omega 3 fatty acids it needs to lower cholesterol naturally. No fish = no healthy.
Going to try to combine the new dietary restrictions and hopefully finish that weight loss off this year and get to 180... I imagine without fast food and cheese it will come off pretty effin' fast if I start exercising. Got a whole new way of doing things... have to.. unless I want to end up like my brother and be dead by 42.
Good luck T-Bone...! Just got to stick with whatever plan you decide on. If it helps, I sometimes find that when I'm in really good shape, I no longer crave the gross food. Of course, it takes a while to get to that point, but when you do (I'm not right now) it feels great.
I wish you luck in your endeavors. Sounds like you've got a hell of a start on it. I'm at about 255 now. Would be happy with 200, although my ideal weight is more like 175. I don't remember what my numbers were, but I take Crestor, and my numbers have been good, the last couple of years, in spite of my weight.
Having said that... If it weren't for those damned Otis Spunkmeyer chocolate chip cookies (being totally serious, here) I could kick my sugar addiction, which is where most of my weight comes from.
I know what you mean. A few years ago, my doctor said, "Exercise or die. Your bad cholesterol is over 250 and your good cholesterol is 0. I've never seen anyone with a 0 before. You look healthy, but you are not. If you don't eat better and exercise, all your friends are going to be crying over your casket." About the same time, I was recovering from having my gallbladder removed and was not able to eat the glorious fatty foods that I love. I figured it would be a good time to get in shape, so I started taking karate classes with my son. It all worked out. The cholesterol levels are good, I lost some weight, and I have spent a lot of time with my son that I otherwise would have missed out on. Life is good
when I got diagnosed with Gout, alot changed with me as well. biggest thing was drinking (alcohol) & red meats. wasn't a "get healthy or die" scenario. for me, its get healthy, or I cant walk. and the punishment is 2-3 days after the deed. so, having fairly immediate punishment for "being bad" makes it easier for me.
and, it is nice when you find good salads. Like the Apple Harvest salad at Red Robin. Wendys has good salads. and, more & more places getting salads on the menu.
I have a friend with gout---when it hits, he can't even stand to have a bed sheet touch him. He raises some of the best beef in this part of the state, but can't eat but a little bit each month.
Being practical and going through this week's menu as normal... the next shopping trip is gonna be all (gah) healthy food. So far doing ok with the medication, it did complicate body functions a little but I am adjusting. Sometimes I even remember to take it.
Originally posted by tbone42: Being practical and going through this week's menu as normal... the next shopping trip is gonna be all (gah) healthy food. So far doing ok with the medication, it did complicate body functions a little but I am adjusting. Sometimes I even remember to take it.
g'luck! healthy food is $$$ at first. but, as you adjust, you'll find you dont eat as much. and, get a Brita pitcher, or something, to always have water. lotsa water.
Doctor said "fix your diet or die".. and since we lost my brother James to a heart attack, I BELIEVED him. Well, here it is after two months of low fat diet and Zocor.
Total Cholesterol Before: 268 (high) Today: 171 (Normal range) LDL Before: 168 Today: 96 (Normal Range) Triglyscerides before: 325 (nobody told me b4 today that was high..) Today: 251 (Still too high, but waaaaay better.) hDL today :25 ... previously unknown.. too low
The only thing they want me to do now is to start a new exercise regimen and cut my sugar a bit because my high trigs and my hDL is a bit low. not really losing any weight at this time but I do feel healthier.
I did not see my blood sugar or blood pressure results, but they did not indicate a problem. Sometimes I wish they would just give you a copy of the chart for the day so you can keep a record.
[This message has been edited by tbone42 (edited 10-17-2013).]
I missed this thread 1st time around. Glad to see you getting heart healthy Tbone
Something we all can do. Make a routine ou of eating good things, add flavor to them, seasonings and stuff, peppers, etc, healthy things dont have to taste boring.
I missed this thread 1st time around. Glad to see you getting heart healthy Tbone
Something we all can do. Make a routine ou of eating good things, add flavor to them, seasonings and stuff, peppers, etc, healthy things dont have to taste boring.
It really was not that big of a change besides the medicine. I stopped eating red meat, pork and cheese/other fatty dairy. I was going to town on whole wheat pretzel sticks and boneless/skinless chicken thighs (which taste way better than white meat) and I never had a day where it felt like I was not eating enough.
My biggest change was butter. I used to eat a lot of it. Now I eat promise spread and olive oil very sparingly and it is way less saturated fat than I was taking in before.
Thanks Jason, encouraging people helped make this possible.
How about straight hard liquor? that is what I did a few years ago when I started to seriously look at my health. No beer (a few a year) and Wild Turkey with a water back. Maybe when they figure out the pot laws I will do that too. A guy needs some relax time and enjoy life a bit while we are here.
What Marvin said, ask. When the office calls and tells me something about the results, I go get a copy so I will have some idea what I want to discuss. If I don't hear from the office I ask for a copy at the appointment.The lab always flags my cholesterol because the total number is so low, but the ratios are within range so my doc and I just laugh.
Don't get healthy and die anyways. Get healthy and you can still die tomorrow. Enjoy today.
quote
Originally posted by Tweeder:
Ahhhhh were all gonna die someday might as well enjoy it while you can
There's a lot of grey area between being alive and being dead. No point "living" to a ripe old age if poor diet and lack of exercise results in sickness and/or becoming immobilized for years.
I am not taking care of myself. I eat what & how much I want. I am overweight. But I am really happy.
I will probably die early, but there dang sure won't be any regret for the bacon or pudding I wanted but "couldn't" have.
It may be dumb, but what is so great about being old?
42 years is all my brother got.. he never had time to even think about making it to the "diaper years".. I feel like there was a timeframe somewhere between the diapers and being too young that maybe he could have achieved...and thus spent time being happy among those that loved him. I sure miss him, and wish he had not made the so many poor health and dietary choices that he had.
I like pudding, too. And you can make it with skim milk, and it is just as good without saturated fast. Living smarter does not equal suffering.. Before, I took great pleasure out of eating food and I still do.. just a thought.
42 years is all my brother got.. he never had time to even think about making it to the "diaper years".. I feel like there was a timeframe somewhere between the diapers and being too young that maybe he could have achieved...and thus spent time being happy among those that loved him. I sure miss him, and wish he had not made the so many poor health and dietary choices that he had.
I like pudding, too. And you can make it with skim milk, and it is just as good without saturated fast. Living smarter does not equal suffering.. Before, I took great pleasure out of eating food and I still do.. just a thought.
Congrats on your new healthy lifestyle! I too have had high cholesterol and a family history of heart disease. I first tried to combat the high cholesterol with diet alone but even though I eat a quite healthy meal plan it still wasn't enough and had to resort to medication (Crestor). Now my levels are good.
Exercise, eat right, take your medication and you still might have something go wrong but you are lessening the chances of it at least. There's no guarantees in life but I'd rather play with the odds in my favour!
I am not taking care of myself. I eat what & how much I want. I am overweight. But I am really happy.
I will probably die early, but there dang sure won't be any regret for the bacon or pudding I wanted but "couldn't" have.
It may be dumb, but what is so great about being old?
Spedning time with kids and hugging your grandkids, I would imagine. So I need to make sure that if I live to be that old, thatIi live close enough to them. (because then what would be the freaking point?)
[This message has been edited by TheDigitalAlchemist (edited 10-18-2013).]
Total Cholesterol Start: 268 (high) Today: 146 (Normal range) LDL Before: 168 Today: 81 (Normal Range) Triglyscerides before: 325 Today: 195 (Almost back in normal range) 150-160 is what I am shooting for. hDL today :26 ... previously 25... still need to find ways to get my good fat count up to 40, not being able to eat seafood is my chief opponent to this.
Weight Xmas 2010 - 272 lbs Weight Today - 207 (Still want to get to 180 but my knees are thankful for anything they got)
I will be on Cholesterol meds for one more 6 month period to hopefully finish off my trigs. I cant get off them too soon... they hurt my stomach a bit.
Figured I would give an update while I had time and it was fresh on my mind. Haven't been able to login much lately because of work and home responsibilities.
I'm going to Coachella this weekend--gonna booze and smoke it up, and come back on Monday ready to dramatically lower my alcohol intake, quit the cigarettes for good, and start exercising again (just got a huge tattoo on my whole torso that put me out of the gym while it was healing--which meant that because it took three sessions I didn't do much exercise for a month and a half).
"Unsaturated fats found in olive, canola or safflower oils may increase your HDL levels without raising your LDL. Avocados and nuts are other foods that provide a good source of healthy fats that can boost your HDL.
monounsaturated fats
Other foods that contain small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids are ground flaxseed, soy foods, leafy green vegetables and walnuts.
Red wine has been found to be particularly effective, If you also have elevated triglyceride levels, however, you should avoid alcohol
Physical activity and moderate weight loss are also excellent methods to boost HDL. Frequent aerobic exercise can cause your body to produce more HDL. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of intense exercise per week. If you smoke, cutting the habit can also boost HDL levels.
•Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids (such as fatty fish and dark, leafy greens) •Walnuts •Garlic. •Ground or milled flaxseeds •Canola oil •Soy foods •Dark, leafy greens.
Eat foods rich in soluble fiber. Soluble fiber removes harmful cholesterol from your arteries and increases your HDL, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says.
Eat whole grains.
Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes help raise your HDL, according to the Mayo Clinic. Apples, grapes and berries such as blueberries, strawberries and raspberries also have these properties, according to the USDA.
Eat beans. Kidney and red beans, otherwise known as legumes, are low-glycemic carbohydrates that raise your HDL. According to the American Heart Association and the USDA, beans are low-fat protein sources and high in soluble fiber.
Eat plant-sterol enriched foods. According to fatfreekitchen.com, foods enriched with plant sterols help raise your HDL level. You can find a variety of enriched foods on your supermarket shelves such as yogurt, ice cream, bread, energy bars, soy foods, fruit smoothies and whole-grain cereals"
Many of you may know my brother died earlier this year of a heart attack at 42 years old.
unless I want to end up like my brother and be dead by 42.
Maybe as an encouragement to you:
My father's father died at age 51. My father died at age 45. My 18 month older than me brother died at age 40.
I'm 58.
Congratulations on the changes you have made. You don't have to wind up like your relatives. But you do have to live differently than them. No judgment or criticism. Just reality.
Total Cholesterol Start: 268 (high) Today: 146 (Normal range) LDL Before: 168 Today: 81 (Normal Range) Triglyscerides before: 325 Today: 195 (Almost back in normal range) 150-160 is what I am shooting for. hDL today :26 ... previously 25... still need to find ways to get my good fat count up to 40, not being able to eat seafood is my chief opponent to this.
Weight Xmas 2010 - 272 lbs Weight Today - 207 (Still want to get to 180 but my knees are thankful for anything they got)
I will be on Cholesterol meds for one more 6 month period to hopefully finish off my trigs. I cant get off them too soon... they hurt my stomach a bit.
Figured I would give an update while I had time and it was fresh on my mind. Haven't been able to login much lately because of work and home responsibilities.
Many of you may know my brother died earlier this year of a heart attack at 42 years old. That was my wake up call. Last week, I went to the doctor and had my blood drawn and sent to the lab, got some other stuff checked out, too.
The numbers are in, and some of them are what I thought they would be, some were a pleasant surprise.
I am running a perfect fasting blood sugar of 90. That was a surprise, I thought diabetes would be starting up since it runs heavily in my family. That was a plus, especially considering it was my biggest worry after watching my Mom have complications with it.
Blood Pressure was fine. I have been stressed out lately and it was 120/70.. it was around 113/70 at my last appointment 3 mos ago.
Cholesterol was the major "fixit". I am now on Zocor (my first daily medication - hooray! I have to overhaul my diet, or I am most certainly going to die from a heart attack.. which is as common in my family among the men as the name Smith is in the phonebook. My base cholesterol was 268 (!) and my LDL was 168 (!).. in other words, I gotta get to wok on that right now.
I have been successfully taking weight off for the last two years, I started at 270 lbs in Xmas of 2011 and right now I am around 225...was 214 when my brother died but I am an emotional eater.. Those numbers are not nearly as bothersome as the cholesterol, however. So now the whole diet changes. No more trips for fast food except the occasional chipotle burrito without SC or cheese. Pizza- gone. Fried Chicken- Gone. Hot Dogs (sweet Jesus no more conies from Skyline) GONE. ALCOHOL- GONE. Man, there really is not much left that I enjoy. CHIPOTLE BURRITOS- well, I would die before giving that up, but maybe I will start eating the chicken and no cheese or sour cream.
Additionally, I have to start supplementing my diet with flax seed... since I have a severe seafood allergy, my body doesn't get nearly the Omega 3 fatty acids it needs to lower cholesterol naturally. No fish = no healthy.
Going to try to combine the new dietary restrictions and hopefully finish that weight loss off this year and get to 180... I imagine without fast food and cheese it will come off pretty effin' fast if I start exercising. Got a whole new way of doing things... have to.. unless I want to end up like my brother and be dead by 42.
Good for you! You have to take ever number in turn and it's amazing how much we can change ourselves if we can just let go of our habits and unfortunately what we really want to eat. My doctor hit me up 5 years ago with "your numbers aren't terrible but you can't continue this way. They will get far worse quickly if you don't save yourself." It scared me enough to drop weight, exercise and dump tons of the food I love but I feel great and have a sense I am controlling something. I have genetically low good cholesterol so I have to do lines of fish oil daily. As long as it stays in check, I can avoid any meds. I was pushing 150 blood sugar and I'm steady in the 90-100 range. Yep, gave up tons of stuff but I gains more years.
People can change what seems insurmountable at first. Keep us posted on your progress!
[This message has been edited by TK (edited 04-16-2014).]
