A Cheeseburger with a Side Order of Lipitor
There are many obvious and serious reasons I appreciate our nation’s Veterans, but I have to admit the kiddos being out of school this morning and my being able to sleep until 10 AM caused my gratitude to reach an all time high. I can’t even remember the last time I didn’t have to hit the ground running. I probably wouldn’t have rolled over when I did if I didn’t feel Boy Three staring at me and asking The Girl, “Do you think she is still breathing?”
Apparently we’re experiencing a parental role reversal.
And it seems like maybe it’s right on time since it’s been confirmed that I am mamaw. I went to the doc this week for my annual exam (joy) and just found out my cholesterol – particularly my bad cholesterol – is elevated. Not really high, but higher than it should be. Are you kidding me? Cholesterol? How lame is that? I totally blame it on my mother. Mom’s medical records are like prophetic scrolls into all the health issues I can expect to experience. We have everything the same from impossible-to-tame hair to busted blood veins. Next on the list is high blood pressure and diabetes. And then perhaps Bingo Night at the Senior Citizen’s center where I will be able to discuss my ailments with someone who cares.
I’m officially under doctor’s orders to reduce the cholesterol through “diet” and “exercise”. With the exception of the last month in which I’ve ditched The Shred and embraced The Milk Dud, I’ve already been doing that so I’m not altogether sure where to go next. Except crawling back to Jillian in hopes she’ll extend grace to my backslidden backside. Somehow I don’ t think mercy is a part of her gospel.
So I’m just a little depressed that I’ve got to go all Kashi health-freak. Euell Gibbons may like him some tree bark but I’m partial to potatoes fried in hydrogenated oil which I suppose is why I’m in the shape I’m in. {Of course, if I remember correctly he died pretty young so how did eating pines help him, pray tell?} If any of y’all have any suggestions for heart healthy foods that don’t taste like a plant root then I’d love to hear them.
I can’t believe I used the word heart-healthy.
I am old.
I feel your pain. Dad has high blood pressure since he was 18, mom has high cholesterol and I am blessed with both:)
I know what you mean, ever since I have gotten closer to 30 (1 year away) i have been having reflux issues and sort, and of course my doctor says diet and exercise will help it, but those two words are like not my two friends, but I guess have to try anyways… How about a friendly PW weight loss competition?
Oh I feel your pain. My cholesterol is borderline but my blood pressure is high. I blame it all on my hormones which have gone psycho in the past year. And I talk about it too which makes me feel twice as old. See, I’ve commented to a complete stranger about my health.
Prepare to feel hungry. As soon as the dr. said I should reduce salt and watch my diet all I could think about was my secret stash of peanut m & ms…they’re still here. Mostly anyway. I do better if I allow myself four or five when I really need some chocolate than to go cold turkey. Cold turkey tends to turn into eating the whole bag.
Okay. I’m really done discussing my health now.
Pray for divine intervention!! Give up pizza and thin mints? Why bother going on? Seriously the new healthy choice frozen steamers and mixers (on the shelves at store) are pretty good. Decent lunch sized portion. Good luck.
The bones are next! And the cute shoes book better hurry up before the orthotics take over!
You mean moving the chocolate from the plate to the mouth isn’t considered arm exercise?
I was in denial when the high chloresterol verdict came in. One of my favorite vices…hot dogs, polish sausages. Those I have had to give up but occassionally cheat.
I started taking fish oil 4800 mil a day to be exact. I was really surprise that it brought my cholesterol down. You might not have to take so much the heart dr. just put me on that much for my heart. Fish oil is suppose to be good for your heart. too. and there the old stand by of cheerios and oatmeal. I love cheerios anyway so i always have them on standby for snacks.
For some reason I dont remember my mom or grandmother having high cholesterol but i dont remember when cholesterol was discovered. but Im sure I got it from one of them.
Good luck with the battle. I know you can do it.
I had to cut out all dairy when my Eli was little. I found Smart Balance Light, which is non-hydrogenated (no dairy either). It has 300mg of Omega – 3. It’s NOT good to bake with but it is good on a baked potato or grilled cheese. I also use it in veggies, for instance tonight I did one of those steam bags of corn and added some to it for a buttery taste. The only baked thing I’ve ever tried it in was a cherry dump cake and it actually turned out pretty good.
The comment about Kashi makes me laugh! I recently bought some Kashi Honey Sunshine (I had a coupon and it was on sale.. I got it FREE, which is why I got it!) and it’s pretty good. Tastes like a healthy Captain Crunch.
Kashi’s cereal bars are good too. I have a little boy who needs lots of fiber.. so we’ve tried a few Kashi products! :)
Sigh. The high cholesterol runs through our family big-time. I got tested at 24 and it was already over 200!! My sister, who climbed Kilimanjaro 2 years ago, and climbed to the base camp of Mt. Everest, has it too. So, being an athlete doesn’t necessarily help either, if it makes you feel any better!
A few things will lower your “bad” LDL . . . switching from shortening or other cooking oils to canola and olive, cutting out trans fats, and excercising. However, it won’t work miracles — I started taking meds last year at age 39. I feel like I should change my name to Bertha and start talking about my bunions while I’m at it . . . :)
I totally hear ya….I have the Big 3 – high bp, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes (recently diagnosed). I really need to lose weight…for goodness sake, I am only 39!
I had to laugh at your comment, Joyce. After I had my hysterectomy at the ripe old age of 40, the hormone replacement therapy does wonders…..especially with the appetite! I needed to lose weight before, but now? Oh, my!
Cindi, my husband was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. He has done really well getting the weight off (just like a man!), but he lives for his nightly sugar-free popsicles. He eats about 4 a night. If you need a little sweet, you might want to try those.
And heart-healthy? If you haven’t tried Smuckers natural peanut butter, it is excellent!
I am just full of tips…..that I need to follow for myself! LOL
I was going to hold out on this post, but got it ready for a couple of friends who have been asking and am posting it tonight just for you! Hope it helps :)
http://bundymum.blogspot.com/2009/11/on-lighter-side.html
Lisa my husband has had high cholesterol for years and years – he should since he’s a doggone carnivore! :) However, when he went to the doctor last week he’d dropped his cholesterol about 40 points! No change in the diet and no exercise unless pushing the recliner back counts. We switched him two months ago from regular fish oil to a new product by Schiff called Mega Red. It’s fish oil but made from Krill (some kind of fish, what do I know?). We had see the ads and decided to try it. One selling point was that the regular fish oil pills are as big as my thumb, or they seem that way to me, and these are very small. I figured fish are fish and what difference would a different kind of fish make but hey, 40 points. I found them at Walgreens. Here they are $29.99 for 60 pills, a two month supply. blessings, marlene
Did you know you can buy a big box of Milk Duds for $1 at the Dollar Tree? Just thought you may want to know that nugget of truth!
See question 13 on my scavenger hunt questions… OK so you dont have to look… OATMEAL… EVERY SINGLE DAY… with blueberries… cinnamon… and brown sugar, Sugah.
And it is truly a food you cannot live without …. HA HA… It does help lower cholesterol… promise.
OH … use Old Fashioned Oats. Instant… ewww…. AND I just saw a dealy today about Kashi’s new hot cereal with peaches. They said it ROCKED!
Have fun…. NOW GET YOUR HINEY IN GEAR AND EXERCISE…. I DON’T WANT TO HEAR EXCUSES… (did I sound like Jillian???)
I haven’t had my cholesterol tested in years. They say I can’t as long as I’m pregnant, because pregnancy throws the numbers off.
So far, I’ve managed to stay pregnant for most of my 30s. That’s my advice. ;-)