Reality Check

While I was in Pensacola I had this cough. I asked my sister, the nurse, what she thought it was that was causing this it. Jokingly she said, “You might have TB.” Okay so now that I am a hypochondriac, my mind went into panic mode. Considering where I work it could very well be possible. So when I got back to Houston, I scheduled an appointment with my doctor for a TB skin test. I had already wanted to talk to her about my cholesterol medicine, so this TB scare just made the doctor’s visit that much more important.

On Monday I went in for the TB test, and I talked to my doctor about the side effects I have been experiencing with the Lovastatin. She said when I come back to get the TB test read then I can have blood drawn to check my cholesterol. Depending on the results she would either take me off or change my meds. I left feeling a little hopeful, but very worried about the TB results.

Today when I went back to the doctor, the receptionist called me to the back and asked me to sit in the lab chair. She walked away to find the phlebotomist, but before she left she gave me some paperwork. While I was waiting for the phlebotomist, I started looking over the papers that the receptionist had given me. One of the papers had my medical history listed on it. What was listed under my medical history darn near brought tears to my eyes. The paper said I suffered from obesity. Just typing it makes me want to cry.

Currently I am in the over-weight category (5’9, 197lbs), but just last year I was in the obese category (215lbs). Granted I a moving in the right direction, but... (rolling my eyes) According to the CDC website, I need to be between 125 and 169lbs to be at a healthy weight. I must drop at least 30lbs.

I have to do this. I must do this. I have to do this. I HAVE TO DO THIS.

Random Thoughts

I must say I haven’t really been feeling like writing lately. Last weekend I went home to Florida to spend time with my family. While I was there my husband made a very interesting comment. He told me that when I am in Florida I always seem to be refreshed, and that he thinks being in Texas drains the energy out of me. Since then I have been giving that comment a whole lot of thought.

Now that I am thinking about it more, I have noticed that I did not have these health issues before I moved to TX. That is not to say that I would not have high cholesterol if I was still in FL, because it could just be genetics. However I am the only one in my family with high cholesterol, ugh! Anyway, did you know out here you can eat at a different restaurant every day for a year and not eat at the same restaurant twice? Yeah where I am from in FL you can't do that. I did not eat out this much when I was in FL. I didn’t sit on my ace this much either. Being out here has really changed my way of life, and not in a good way. If only I could convince my husband to move to FL…

On another note, I am seriously thinking about not taking the lovastatin. That medicine has me so tired at the end of the day. Even though I take it around the same time every night, the next day I am wiped out. I have an appointment with my doctor on Monday, and I am going to have to discuss this with her. Of course this means that I am going to have to get disciplined really quickly, and stick to a serious diet and exercise routine. But gosh I can’t continue like this. I am 32yrs old, and I go to bed before nine o’clock!

Also, I finally found the flax seed. I tried eating it with cold cereal; very bad idea. The texture was awful. So I mixed it with my instant oatmeal, and that seem to be a little better. The oatmeal wasn’t all that great though, not sure if it was the flavor of the oatmeal or the flax seed. By eating the oatmeal with flax seed and soy milk, I knock out three steps first thing in the morning! How awesome is that?! For the days that I do not eat my oatmeal for breakfast, I stop by Starbucks and pick up a grande soy latte which gives me 15 of the 20 grams of soy.

At first trying to work in all ten steps seemed to have been overwhelming, but now I have figured out ways to mix them all together. Now if I can just do something about this medication.

It's The Little Things

Am I an idiot or what? Okay so why does this book say, “Consume 3 grams (starting dose) to 10 grams (most therapeutic dose) of psyllium husk every day.” This whole time I thought I was only consuming 2 grams, in fact I was consume 6.4 grams of psyllium husk. Metamucil has approximately 3.4g of psyllium husk in each teaspoon. I drink 2 teaspoons a day; therefore I drink 6.4g a day! And to think math was my strongest subject J

That makes me feel good, because that means I have been complying with at least one of the steps for a few weeks now. Who knew I had some discipline?!

Slowly But Surely

I had a conversation with my cousin last night. He and I were talking about our health issues. I told him how I wanted to change my eating habits to lower my cholesterol rather than taking medication. Of course he said he would rather take the medication. So I went on to explain some of the side effects I have been having (e.g. fatigue and joint pains). Changing my diet doesn’t really come with side effects.

Eating oatmeal was the first obstacle I have been able to overcome. Over the weekend I finally forced myself to eat oatmeal, and it wasn’t that bad. Well that’s not true; the first bowl was absolutely disgusting. It was the first bowl of oatmeal I had made in 13 years, and it wasn’t instant either. The second bowl wasn’t too bad. Next time I go grocery shopping I will have to remember to get some toppings, because cinnamon alone is not going to cut it. I must say eating oatmeal for breakfast did keep me full for a long time. I didn’t feel the need to snack throughout day. My only concern is that eating oatmeal is going to make me put on some serious pounds.

What I have also noticed is that I haven’t had any swelling in my feet and ankles in a long time. Thank God!!! I take that as some progress. Again baby steps, but hey I’ll take that. I have also started riding Metro again instead of driving to work. This forces me to get some exercise during the day.

I have just come to the realization that changing things in my life cannot be sudden. That’s why I am constantly going through withdrawals and relapsing. It’s like a smoker trying to quit cold turkey, for some it works but it sends others into shock. I can’t go cold turkey! BABY STEPS! There isn’t anything wrong with taking baby steps. You would think I was born in the ‘80’s J

Pity Party: Part 2

Am I kidding myself? Am I really trying, or am I just pretending? Discipline just isn't in the cards for me, and I don't know why. Do I really need to have someone barking at me, and making me go to the gym and eat right? At first I was so gung-ho about this whole getting my life together and being a healthier person, but somewhere along the way I have lost my momentum. I am a grown woman taking baby steps. Ugh!

Maybe it's the instant gratification thing that I am looking for. Well there is no maybe; I am looking for instant gratification. I want the weight to fall off right now. I want the cholesterol to go down right now. I want...I want...I want. I want it, but I am not willing to work for it. Again I ask why I am so dedicated to my work but not to my health.

I know that I do not like what I see when I look in the mirror. Absolutely hate the way certain clothes look on me. I feel a whole lot older than I really am. My ankles swell, my knees hurt when I walk up stairs, and I am always tired. How sad is that?! I am 32yrs old and I feel like I am 72. Actually a 72yr old might feel a whole lot better than I do. What am I to do?! I know, crawl up in my bed and cry my eyes out (as the tears start to fall).

Finally Taking Action

I have started some of the ten steps to lower my cholesterol – from the Cholesterol Down: Ten Simple Steps to Lower Your Cholesterol in Four Weeks--Without Prescription Drugs by Dr. Janet Bond Brill. Some of the steps I am having a hard time implementing.

1. Eat 1 cup of oatmeal every day

Yeah after watching The Golden Child, I just can’t see myself eating oatmeal. Maybe I can find a substitute.

2. Eat a handful of almonds daily, approximately 30

I have been very diligent about eating exactly 30 almonds a day.

3. Eat at least 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed daily

I went grocery shopping for flaxseed, but they were all out. So instead I have been eating the Kashi Go Lean Honey Almond and Flax cereal. Now that I’m thinking about eating this cereal puts me over 30 almonds a day. So I will have to cut back on #2.

4. Consume 3 grams of psyllium husk daily, gradually increasing to 10 grams

I have been consuming 2 grams of Metamucil for the past two weeks. I will move up to 3 grams on Sunday. But you must know that Metamucil is fast acting! It makes me feel like a baby; after every meal I am using the bathroom (TMI I know!).

5. Eat ½ cup of beans, peas, or lentils daily

I haven’t figured out a way to incorporate ½ cup of beans, peas, or lentils into my diet. Maybe I can start making some kind of salad with beans. Hmm I’ll have to think about this one.

6. Eat an apple every day

My husband decided he wanted to give the babysitter all of our apples. Luckily I bought some apple juice. So I have been drinking the apple juice with my Metamucil (trying to kill two birds with one stone).

7. Consume 2-3 grams of phytosterols per day at two separate meals

This week I have not been cooking with any oil. Usually when I do cook I use olive oil, or I will bake it. So this step really isn’t relevant to me.

8. Eat 20-25 grams of soy protein every day

I have finally found soy yogurt. Now I eat a cup of soy yogurt a day, and I also eat soy milk with my cereal.

9. Eat a clove of fresh garlic and one Kyolic one per day

I absolutely hate the taste of garlic! Walgreens sell garlic pills, so maybe I can use that as a substitute. I just hate garlic.

10. Walk for 30 minutes every day

Since I have not made any attempt to go to the gym, I have decided to start riding public transportation which forces me to exercise. In this 100+ degree weather, it has been no walk in the park at all. But I have been sticking with it. Plus it saves gas.

So 6 out of 10 aren’t bad, at least I don’t think. I think I am well on my way. I am really anxious to see if I can lower my cholesterol by changing my diet and exercising, or am I just fighting genetics. Either way, at least I am making an effort to eat healthier. Finally in the action phase!!!

Baby Steps

It’s been 2 ½ weeks and here I am sick again. I must say I have not been stressed or emotional these past two weeks; must have been something I picked up from someone else. Hopefully I have not damaged my body to point where I am going to be sick all the time.

On another note I have ordered the book “Cholesterol Down: Ten Simple Steps to Lower Your Cholesterol in Four Weeks--Without Prescription Drugs”, by Janet Brill. It seems really easy, so I should not have any problems following the steps. I have already incorporated one of the steps into my diet – added Metamucil. This book had some great reviews, so I’m excited to see what happens.

My biggest issue still is getting my butt back into the gym. I really don’t have an excuse; I just don’t go. I think I need a workout partner. No I need to get my lazy butt off the sofa and go workout.