Within minutes of finishing that last post, I learned something new from my doctor’s visit that included bloodwork. I actually handed out two business cards thanks to that bloodwork, but that’s not the point. I have good cholesterol (surprise to me) and bad triglycerides. Now, I assume these bastards come in packs of three because they have the prefix tri- in there and they don’t own a car because they have the suffix -ride. Please don’t teach me about what they are because these bastards have caused enough trouble.
Over the phone I was told what I had to do and it goes like this. Italics are the doctor in my mind:
- Exercise . . . I bike 11 miles in the morning. Guess you have that covered.
- Less red meat . . . I eat mostly chicken, pasta, and fish. Red meat is maybe once or twice a week. Guess you’re good on that.
- Eggs . . . I don’t eat eggs. Son of a . . .
- Dairy . . . I drink a small bottle of chocolate milk in the morning. Only drink lo-fat or non-fat milk . . . Yeah, sure. That 4 ounce of chocolate milk is the culprit.
- Ice Cream . . . Maybe once or twice a week. If you have the urge then have some flavored ice. I think that’s what was said because by this point I stopped listening. 4 strikes and I figure you’re stretching for something.
- Fried Foods . . . I have Burger King every now and again. AH-HA! No fried foods! They are bad for you! The spawn of Satan! They will devour your guts and erupt your heart! You need to have baked or broiled.I really don’t eat it as often as I used to. I eat more Subway, pizza, and non-fried Chinese food. I make sure to throw a little extra exercise in if I’m going to eat this too.
- Dressing and sauces . . . I think we’re done here.
So, I have no idea what really caused this rise and I did a little research. The top of the list for reasons is OBESITY! Let me repeat that: OBESITY! I’m 5’5” and 193 lbs. I’m obese and I’m working on it. I’m not on any special diet because I know that I’d fall off it the moment I hit my target weight. So, I’ve been working out a lot, shrinking the portions I eat, cut out soda, added yogurt to my diet, added a few vegetarian dishes to my lunch repertoire, and several other things that I can live with. Have I given up my love of fast food? No because it will always be there, but I’m not running over there every day of the week. Personally, I’m not a fan of cutting something completely out of my diet unless I’m allergic. I can make up for it with the other meals and more exercising.
This brings me to the blood-pressure rising that has occurred here. I’ve mentioned this to my father because I live with him and we eat together. According to him, I eat fried foods every day, am not losing weight fast enough, and this wouldn’t happen if I ate more pork. I must be part of the only Jewish family that is angry about not eating enough pork. This has happened before with my parents who both suffer from diabetes and are not the lightest people in the world. I should add in here that I am the ONLY person in this household who exercises. So, I’m looking at my dad yelling at me for anything I eat that he thinks I shouldn’t. Eventually, this will result in my mixing up his dietary rules (that he rarely follows) with mine. This will not be fun by any stretch of the imagination and will probably result in a few loud fights.
Honestly, the nurse on the phone seemed to be a little hard pressed to give me some dietary rules to follow. The 11 miles of biking a day really makes people wonder why I’m still obese. It’s because I’m still working on fixing the diet issue. It’d be easier if veggie dogs were on sale more often and get some more lunch ideas that didn’t require a lot of work on my part.
This is how my week ends and I’ll stand by what I told my dad earlier. It’s what I told him when I was a kid and tried archery. I’ll do this my own way. That mentality got me a bullseye and it’s going to get me through this.
Legends of Windemere 
Do you take an omega-3 supplement or did anyone suggest it?
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No vitamins were suggested. They went right to diet change when I derailed their ‘you must exercise’ speech. Is that the fish oil one? I’m really bad with vitamins.
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That’s most common. It might be worth looking into. And you know the whole avoid processed grains deal.
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My entire family is on the fish oil thing and I was too until I kept forgetting. I was told that it wasn’t necessary anyway, which makes this whole thing even more confusing. I’m not a big fan of the ‘avoid’ mentality. I’d rather limit to a rare treat because I don’t think I can entirely avoid processed grains, red meat, dairy, sauces, dressings, pork, fried foods, yogurt, bread, carbohydrates, sweet fruits, eggs, and sugar.
That list is the combination of everything I have just been told to avoid since getting that phone call. I’m waiting for water to be put on there, so I can accuse everyone of plotting to kill me.
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Yeah, I agree with you. I don’t cut everything out of my diet either, I just cut back. The weight loss is slow but I actually think it’s healthier than losing it quickly. I would just end up binging more I think.
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Exactly! I started at 215 pounds back in November and started to change. Then Thanksgiving derailed me and I had to start at square one. It’s amazing how many holidays and family gatherings I have to deal with that revolves around food. It’s baffling that I have to listen to people tell me that I’m not losing weight quick enough. I’m losing it and trying to create a functional lifestyle that won’t evaporate the moment I hit my target weight.
I looked up a diet to help with this and it was so extreme. For example, one piece of multi-grain bread a day is the limit. That’s the healthy bread that everyone raves about. If the ‘good for you’ stuff is off the menu then that really proves nothing is healthy.
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Sounds like you are on the right track Charles. You didn’t get to 215 overnight (now 193) and you aren’t going to get to YOUR ideal weight overnight either. I emphasized “your” because based on the weight charts, at my height (6’4″), I’m supposed to be between 181-207 lbs. with a large frame. Well guess what, I haven’t weighted those weights since I was about 16 years old and I can tell you that it won’t ever happen. I am most comfortable at 220 lbs and that is what I am working towards, unfortunately I started my effort at 280 lbs, but that is life. So take it slow like you are doing and it will happen. I wish you the best in your effort.
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Thanks. I never liked the BMI system, which says I should be 146-160.6. I’m aiming for 150, which is ideal, but I’ll be happy with 160. I’m already at a point where I think I need to buy new pants, so I’m obviously doing something right. Good luck with your weight lose.
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Perhaps getting testing done during the most stressful week of the year was good. Next time you go in they will die from amazement at how much better your levels are!
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I’ve been wondering about that. I was stressed and gorged on Passover desserts the night before. I’d love to be at 180 pounds by my next appointment in 6 months too, but we’ll see.
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You will get there. You can dooooo eeeeeet! Right then, sorry. You have crew members supporting you.
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Thanks. Though, my Ipod just keeled over, so I’m out of music for exercising. I really couldn’t win this week. Honestly, at this point it’s just funny with everything that went wrong. Yeah. It’s so busted and I have no idea why.
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I am in the same boat. My truck broke down and had to have a new fuel pump, my coffee pot broke and my washer committed suicide:) it will get better? They tell me so.
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You win . . . sort of. At least it’s the weekend when you can hide under the covers.
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That would be nice. I work weekends too lol
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