I recently had a conversation with my brother, Rob, about health after another Aunt of ours died a "young" 57. Of course, for her, she had other health problems too that were contributing factors, probably not related to genetics. But Rob and I both agreed that we need to pay better attention to our numbers.
So, before Laren quit his job here and started his new job I got us all in for all of our appointments. When I saw Laren's LDL levels at 115, I told him that though it wasn't "bad," it certainly could be improved upon. In my mind, I attributed it to his, almost nightly, dish of ice cream or his love of BLT's.
I never took a second thought to consider that my own cholesterol might be similar, or exactly the same! So after reading and researching my own results, I was astonished that my "attempts" at being healthy weren't as successful, based on my cholesterol numbers, as I had thought.
I eat oatmeal for breakfast, almost every morning. Though, this morning I had some delicious high fiber toast with a little butter on it and some diet hot chocolate. (Yeah, where is my protein and where is my fruit? Hey, we all need a break every once in awhile!! :) ) Isn't eating oatmeal or cheerios supposed to take care of all of a person's cholesterol problems? (ha ha! That seems to be the message these days on some of the commercials on tv).
I had some steamed summer squash and tomatoes from my garden for lunch, along with a few pieces of Halloween licorice and tootsie rolls from the stash that has already turned up around here. (It is only the beginning of October and we already have the candy around - I guess I passed my sweet tooth onto my kids!)
And for dinner, since I haven't eaten yet tonight I will tell you about last nights dinner. I ate a veggie burger sandwiched between 2 slices of my delicious high fiber bread with a little ketchup and relish in there. That was before we had a dinner appointment at my daughter's middle school for one of the program's she is in. There they served pizza. I picked at the pizza, eating only a few bites and declined the soda and cake. Aside from the candy, I have snacked on some pecan pieces that I keep around for baking, and some homemade, wholewheat banana bread that I made.
Some days are better with my eating and some days are worse. But I think it's a pretty good "snapshot" into my eating habits. So, I'm wondering how all of this translates into my cholesterol levels: HDL 47, LDL 115, Total Cholesterol 173. So, I'm on a mission to find out. I know for some people, if they had these numbers they might be satisfied. But it makes me nervous to see these numbers at my "relatively young" age. I'm wondering if there is a genetic factor that comes into play here, because of course I can't take ALL the responsibility for my health now can I? ;)
So if anyone has suggestions for how to help my cholesterol (and my husbands), I'm open to them. And do you know your numbers?
9 comments:
My mom would ground the flax seed in her wheat grinder, then add to muffins. My mom was on some cholesterol med's and ended up switching over to 'natural' ways instead of px drugs. It helped to lower her cholesterol.
Well, I had mine checked about a year ago and it was around 180 total. My diet is atrocious compared to yours. My dad is the same way, butter and bacon for every meal, and his is the same way. Genetics is a huge part of it! I agree that flax seed is a good thing to take. My mom mixes it in just about everything. I'm not really sure of any other natural things to do.
I need to get my checked out...... MY husband's father is having some health problems... IT has made all of us think more about what we are putting in our bodies and how much are we working out.... I do good at working out, but i do like my diet soda... NOT GOOD!!!!!!
Stress affects cholesterol too. Greg had perfect cholesterol in Wisconsin (he even got the best health level life insurance). Then about a year later, his cholesterol is so high he takes meds. I can't say his eating has changed much...but the demands are much higher.
How often are you supposed to get checked anyway? I had good cholesterol last year....
Our numbers are good now, but we keep an eye on them.
Just found your blog through a serendipitous click. Good luck in your move to Utah and your hubby's new job. We love it here. I'm LDS and also a fellow weight loss gal. Your story sounds so familiar to my experience!
You have a lovely blog. I'm gonna have to steal the Marjorie Hinckley quote! :-) I love it. I actually have your blog title displayed in my home.
I'll come visit again...
If you are eating like that and your cholestrol is where it is, I hate to even think where mine is!
To me it sounds like your eating well. I think that stress can raise your levels too? Maybe the move process is contributing to it. Good for you for having it checked, and doing something about it! :)
With my sister and dad having high cholesterol I actually should have mine checked, Truth be known I am scared because theirs is sky high!
Such a good thing to have checked regularly!
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