I did several things with varying degrees of continuity:
1) Exercise. I have a bad habit of being really good for months at a stretch, then not doing anything for months at a stretch.
2) Getting my vitamins and supplements, including cinnamon capsules. (Instead of cinnamon toast, which has the butter, which has the cholesterol.)
3) No high fructose corn syrup. I know this has little to do with cholesterol levels, but it was the one thing I was successful at maintaining - with full knowledge that the one Pepsi I would drink on my 12 hour night shifts was chock full of HFCS. I figured the mileage I walk on those nights would burn off the equivalent calories.
4) Activ Promise shots. I started those late in the game - only two months before my annual check-up. I drank one daily until I had my labs drawn, then went to every other day because they are expensive.
And it must have worked: My overall cholesterol was down to 188 and my LDL - the bad stuff - was down to 99. My HDL's were about the same at 59.
Not a huge improvement, but I have a family history - my mom's cholesterol was running in the 300's at one time, but she got it down with diet and exercise.
We'll carry on and see if the trend continues.
Thor sez: Don't forget the four pounds you lost, according to your doctor's scale.
5 comments:
Bravo Janet! I need to follow in your footsteps.
I need to use YOUR doctor's scale..because I think (hope) my shoes weigh 8 pounds.
Thanks Margo. I really hate the idea of starting on medications for this, so I was motivated to get it down naturally.
Chuck - my scale at home says I lost ten pounds, so my shoes must weigh six, huh? I told my wonderfully witty doctor this and she said, "Yeah, well, my scale in calibrated weekly, how often do you do yours?" (Insert sound of dashed hopes here.)
Way to go! Keep up the good work.
- M
Well, pat yourself on the back. Most people would opt for the meds. I admire your tenacity and determination.
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