Instruction from the doctor: Lose weight your cholesterol is too high. Nothing like a statement like that to make you feel worse about yourself.
@philbowell Hey Phil, I got that same message from a cardiologist three months ago. I’m headed back to him tomorrow for a new round of blood work. I’m dreading it.
@KyleEssary I hope it's positive news Kyle. Have you been able to make any lifestyle changes to tackle it? My research brain has kicked in and I'm looking at what I can do.
@philbowell @KyleEssary I've watched many in my extended family struggle with similar issues. Not to over simplify but it often seems that the solutions for many problems are the same. More activity, better diet. I take daily dog walks, usually 2 a day, about 30 minutes each. Depending on pace and geography, those can be easy or more strenuous. Go faster for higher heart rate, etc. Casual cycling can be great and fun if you're in a safe environment.
For diet, consider simple and easy changes. Incorporate oatmeal into your diet. Most will do it for breakfast but could also work for lunch.
Oatmeal for breakfast with fruit. Don't load it with sugar. Or for summer, make an oatmeal smoothie. You blend a couple servings of oatmeal with 1 cup soy/oat milk, 1 cup of water, 2 tbs peanut butter, frozen banana, frozen fruit. If you want it sweeter add 2-3 tsp of sugar. Let the oats sit in the milk for 10 minutes before blending and it will be smooth like any smoothie. You don't even know it's got oatmeal in it.
Then cut back on the food you know is a problem. Substitute.
What I see in family is resistance to the solution. They want fixes that let them get around the problem of lack of exercise and a diet that is causing the problem.
I think using a phone app for tracking is very helpful. Easy once you make it a habit. Very informative. I use FoodNoms on my iPhone and iPad. Lots of apps to choose from. And an Apple Watch for tracking activity. Neither is necessary but can be helpful.
@Denny That’s such a helpful comment. Thanks! I’ve been exercising more the past three months and done some to improve the diet. We will see what the doc says tomorrow about any improvement.
Also, @rcrackley, I had overnight oats each morning in Greece. I’ve gotta figure out how to make them, because they were soooo good.
@KyleEssary It's hard to imagine an easier (or more flexible) recipe than overnight oats. Many recipes online, all simple. I like cooked oats better; cook up some steel-cut oats in the evening, reheat when I get up so they're ready almost immediately. Enjoy.
@Denny That's really helpful thanks. I know I need to make some lifestyle changes, so looking for some small things to change that will lead to more small changes that add up over time.
Oatmeal/Porridge is one I keep reading about so time to make that change. Lunches are the thing I struggle to make healthy, so focusing on that and of course exercise. I need to move a lot more.
@jasonekratz absolutely, trying to view this a motivation to make some positive lifestyle changes. My Doctor said that whilst statins is an option it's worth trying some lifestyle changes first and seeing what effect it has. Given that my Dad had a similar conversation with his Doctor when he was roughly my age and had to go on to statins I may also be fighting a battle I can't win. But worth a try.
@rcrackley I just learned about resistant starch! I wonder if warming up the overnight oats without bringing to a boil preserves the resistant starch? I'm not ready to face a cold breakfast in the winter.
@philbowell I had my blood test today and everything moved in the right direction. The doctor encouraged me to continue losing weight (I’m 1.92m and 107kg) and keep up the exercise. I go again in three months.