This Woman, High Cholesterol, Food and God

First, let me just say that I am so glad that I watched the Oprah episode that featured Geneen Roth, author of Women, Food and God. Watching this show unwittingly prepared me for my doctor's appointment today.

Today was my three month follow up with my doc to test my cholesterol. You can read about my first test here. So, here is how my hard work at the gym and my eating right--for the most part--hasn't paid off:

2/11/2010                              5/11/2010

Cholesterol:       222         229    (should be under 200)
Triglycerides:    127         172     (should be under 150)
HDL (GOOD):    51           60     (should be over 50, above 60 is best)
LDL (BAD):      148         134     (Needs to be under 100)

The fact that I significatly raised my HDL and lowered my LDL is a good thing. However, the ultimate number is the three-digit one, and it went up. I will thank my father for this. It's looking as though I may have high cholesterol, which is hereditary on his side. While I am thanking his side of the family, I'd like to give a shot out to them for anxiety attacks, depression, migraines, colon cancer, diverticulitis, bad gall bladders, digestive disorders and bad knees too----ahhh, my family.

As of whenever I fill my prescription, I am going to be put on meds and seen in another three months.

Hey, it could be worse. 

My little sis has battled high cholesterol for years (same dad), and she's a health nut. So, together, we will try to get this monster under control before it blocks our heart and kills us.

It totally could be worse. 

Like the heart/chest pain that I have been having for the past three weeks and haven't said anything about....yeah...that's a whole nutha blog. It will most likely start in June after I see another doctor.

It could be worse. 

Like being diagnosed with the "C" word.

It could be worse.  

Like, passing away due to an unhealthy lifestyle that I could have prevented because 

I didn't do the work to get my mind/body right.

Even though my family has a history of failing body parts, they also have a history of being some of the bravest, hardest-working, loving and funny people I have ever known and I wouldn't trade them for the world...unless it was Avatar, cuz that is soooo cool......

Anyways, it came as no surprise that the Oprah episode featuring the author of Women, Food and God magically appeared on my DVR last night. Visit the link and then come back and read on. I'll wait. Go ahead, I'll be right here........


That was pretty cool, huh? I am going to read this book and I am going to do the work. I am going to learn about myself because if I don't, I am going to continue to eat horribly just to fill that void. I have come too far, changed my life in too many ways to give up now. But I'll vulnerable here-- I am scared to death. Body aches and pains scare me. A tummy ache catapults my brain into thinking horrible thoughts about the colon cancer that I am sure exists. A headache makes me think of my cousin and how I too, will surely be having a stroke within 24 hours. This chest pain has me convinced that I am on the verge of a heart attack. And all I want to do is eat a big ole' tub of vanilla frosting because if I'm gonna go out--that is the way I wanna go.

But I won't. 

I won't stop worrying. 

 But I WILL start working on the brain part--my racing thoughts/anxiety. 

I won't eat frosting.  

Because I have worked TOO hard to send myself into that depression. 

I won't stop working out. 

I like how I feel and I like the way my body moves now. 

(Shhhh, don't tell anyone, but secretly, I want to run a 5k with Erika in the fall.)

I have one body and one mind and I am going to get the most out of them. So, I would like to invite you to join me. Read this book with me. Let's do the work. Let's cry together. Let's cope together. Let's end this battle once and for all. Who's in? I'm getting the book tomorrow. Are you? Let me know!