Just Need to Share...

[mom2AidanAndEli]

My first time posting here, but I'm so thrilled I just needed to share with people who might appreciate this!

Little history--I'm 50, fairly good health, 5'5" tall. My biggest issue has always been a very high cholesterol. I inherited that from mom! But, of course, diet is a contributing factor. Well, my wake-up call came the beginning of the year when my annual blood work came back as the typical high cholesterol readings. But I also had now what's called "fatty liver". Nothing earth shattering, but still not healthy and something that needs to be addressed. I was also at my heaviest ever at 180 pounds. Not happy.

So I got a referral to a nutritionist. Not one of these fad type--eat all these supplements, only eat this, drink these shakes, etc.--but a medical nutritionist. We made small changes, gradually. Nothing drastic, but enough to make a difference. I've been working on this since March and just went for follow-up blood work this week. All I can say is YAAAAAYYYYY!

My overall cholesterol level went from 241 to 215! Still high, but much better.
My triglycerides went from 251 to 158
HDL (good cholesterol--higher is better) from 38 to 41
LDL (bad cholesterol--lower is better) from 153 to 142.

And the one liver test they did should have a "normal" reading between 10 and 40. In January I was at 62. This week it was 16!

And the bonus is I've lost 14 pounds!

This is all still with making small changes, nothing drastic. I don't feel deprived of anything. If I'm on a vacation, I eat what I want. If I'm taking the kids for ice cream during the summer, I have some too. I'm just thrilled and now know I can do this!

 

[Cherylbug]

Awesome job mom2AidanAndEli! I bet it's so nice to see these results when you've worked so hard for them.

 

[ohMom]

WOW! that is amazing!! great job! how rewarding to see those benefits of your healthy changes!!

 

[Waiting2goback]

I have a similar story so I know how you feel and I can offer you congrats on making the changes. I made small changes last year. My triglycerides were once as high as 800+. My last blood work last year came back at 157 just from the small changes. Keep up the good work!!!

 

[DisPup75]

That is an awesome report!!! Thank you so much for sharing!

 

[2TxAgs]

This is awesome! Can you give some details as to your small changes? For example, did you start with a glass of water before all meals? Or start with the salad? Or add 30 minutes of walking 4-5x week? I'm interested to know how you've accomplished so much so fast? It goes to show what the body is capable of when we treat it right!

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

This is awesome! Can you give some details as to your small changes? For example, did you start with a glass of water before all meals? Or start with the salad? Or add 30 minutes of walking 4-5x week? I'm interested to know how you've accomplished so much so fast? It goes to show what the body is capable of when we treat it right!

It's honestly nothing drastic that I'm doing. But some examples...

Tried to cut back on white/refined sugars. So no more white bread, no more commercial peanut butter, no more frozen waffles/pancakes, no sugary cereals, etc.

Instead, only bread with WHOLE wheat flour--NOT enriched wheat flour or anything like that. All natural peanut butter. Breakfast most days is a bowl of Quaker weight control oatmeal with walnuts and berries or some whole wheat toast with peanut butter and a glass of milk.

Cut out iced coffee and cut way back on iced tea. If I have either now, it's only one little spoonful of sugar. Not the way they used to dump it in! And it's maybe once a week, not every day.

Trying to balance good carbs and lots of protein. So lunches are things like wheat pita pocket with hummus and some fresh tomatoes or cucumbers. Or Triscuit thin crisps with light string cheese, some lean turkey, and maybe a piece of fruit.

Frozen Greek yogurt pops instead of ice cream.

More veggies with dinners, less pasta/potatoes/rice (although I still eat those, just in moderation).

Yes, added in trying to walk a little more, although have had another health issue that has made that difficult.

Just becoming aware and reading labels more. Try to focus on things with very little sugar, but lots of fiber/protein. Also paying attention to portion sizes. If I'm having triscuit crackers, I count how the number in a serving and put it on a napkin. That's how many I eat. No more taking the box and snacking mindlessly.

And I honestly think the biggest thing is not depriving myself! In the past, I'd cut out all junk food, all sweets--basically anything good at all. I'd last a few days and then go totally off track and eat way too much of that stuff. Now, I don't worry if I have a cookie here or there--but one, not four! By not making things completely off limits, I find I'm satisfied with just a little bit of something here or there.

The other thing I've done is added in a mixture of ground flax seed and oat bran. I throw a tablespoon in my oatmeal or yogurt every day. That's supposed to really help with the cholesterol side of things.

And even with the summertime ice creams and some special occasions over the past couple months, I've lost another 3 pounds, so up to 17 total!