I was 24. Maybe 25. Definitely at an age when one's health was a low, low priority, far behind items like "playing video games" and "eating pizza" and "playing video games while eating pizza." I went to the doctor for a physical ahead of a minor knee surgery. The nurse drew some blood. I got a Scooby-Doo Band-Aid.
A few weeks later, my doctor called me with the results of my bloodwork. My cholesterol numbers came back in the range likely reserved for blue whales, but I was not concerned as I had not fasted before the blood draw. It was expected that my numbers would be sky-high. He would, however, like me to come back for another follow-up check. Just to be sure. And could it be in the next few days? And could you be sure to fast? Thanks. Another nurse, another Scooby-Doo Band-Aid.
The results were not much better. The fasting brought the numbers back down to Earth, but still way too high. Mt. Everest high. Not only was the total high, but the mix of good and bad cholesterol was all wack-a-doo wrong. The stuff that was supposed to be high was low. The purported low stuff was flaunting its highness.
Since then, I've "tried" to keep my cholesterol numbers down. "Tried" in that I think about it whenever I eat pizza or get fast food. The total numbers always hovered slightly higher than they should have been, but no doctor ever put me on medication and always told me to eat healthily, get some exercise, blah de blah de blah.
Since we said Yes! to Michigan last summer, I got a new physical with a new doctor. Once again, the total numbers came back high with a bizarro mix of good and bad cholesterol. This time, Mr. Doctor Man gave me some actual advice. Raw almonds, he said. They can help get that mix of good and bad cholesterol back to where it should be. A small glass of red wine every other night will help with that too. Losing some weight would be good. Getting some exercise helps a ton. And simply watching what you eat can make a big ol' difference.
My doctor gave me a bunch of options to try. I am opting for www.myfitnesspal.com, a free website where you can enter your food and exercise for the day. It's no magic bullet, but it is interesting for me to actively track my meals every day. Kinda shocking too. I am paying closer attention to calories than ever before. I am learning which foods are good snack options and which are fat bombs. I am enjoying my small glass of red wine. Tonight's was a lovely malbec.
The doctor also gave me an ultimatum: re-check the cholesterol in four months and if there hasn't been a change (and assuming I did my part to lose the weight, eat healthy, etc.), it was time to talk about medications. I'm not anti-pharmaceuticals by any means, but I would sure like to avoid going on cholesterol medication before I'm 35 if I can help it.
I haven't lost any weight to speak of yet. But, hey, the journey is new and I'm still in the newlywed phase, so let's keep at it while the motivation is still there. After all, I want to be able to do this again.
Think it will happen?
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