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No exercise walking for me today, as it would have been too hot after I got home from a medical appointment. After that appointment, however, I stopped at the gym and hopped on the elliptical for over 40 minutes, so that was the exercise for the day.
Medical appointment went just about as I expected. My doctor zeroed in on the total cholesterol and LDL #s. He was very complimentary about the weight loss and my outstanding triglyceride number and the good HDL number, as well. He was not familiar with the "cholesterol coming out of the fat cells when weight loss is over 30 pounds" theory, but that's OK. After all, except for after childbirth, how many people does any typical GP see who've lost over 30 pounds???? I had photocopies of the relevant sections from the Phinney & Volek book and he seemed very open to the theory/research. That research study had a VERY small sample, BTW, but I'm thinking that both the authors have seen this effect numerous times in their clinics since the study was done back in 1991.
So, the doctor and I compromised. Will re-test in 6 months. I'll achieve my goal weight but will put any further intentional weight loss on the back burner for now and concentrate on 6 months of Maintenance to see how/if my levels reset at a lower level (which is what that study showed). I'm going to add even more omega 3's, look into red rice yeast (or something like that), and keep up with exercise and getting sunlight.
What I liked about this appointment was that 1.) my doctor's a personable guy, 2.) I got lots of compliments on weight loss and lifestyle changes, 3.) I have a doctor who's open to looking at new (to him) theories, and 4.) my doctor respects my position that I do NOT want to go on medications.
While it was pretty obvious he believes in the current cholesterol guidelines and the whole cholesterol-heart disease "hypothesis," I'll let him slide on that one....we can always argue about that in January! LOL!!!
Now on to learning more about omega 3's....he recommended 2-5 g/day and I know my current supplements aren't that much.
Diet Calendar Entries for 03 July 2012:
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1241 kcal
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Fat: 82.81g | Prot: 83.97g | Carb: 48.35g.
Breakfast: Sorrento Colby Jack Sticksters, Jones cherrywood smoked bacon. Lunch: chia seeds (bulk), Johnsonville Brown Sugar & Honey sausages, eggs, Hunt's petite diced tomatoes, Pieces & Stems Mushrooms. Dinner: tomatoes, garden fresh, spaghetti squash, Alessi puttanesca sauce, Kraft Shredded Parmesan Cheese, beef, cut like stir fry. Snacks/Other: Endulge Peanut Caramel Cluster Bar. more...
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1926 kcal
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Activities & Exercise:
Elliptical; 1 session 20+5, 1 session 15+3 - 43 minutes, Resting - 15 hours and 17 minutes, Sleeping - 8 hours. more...
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 Comments
I've been taking Omega 3's for many years now, along with vitamin D supplement, and also Garlic 1000mg/day. I currently take 1200mg Omega 3, Vitamin D 2000mg, and the Garlic which is for cardiovascular & cholesteral. I'm sure your doctor had to be impressed with all your research :)
03 Jul 12 by member: notfast
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Great gym work out! Good Girl! So glad you got positive vibes from your appointment. I also respect your desire to head off cholesteral numbers with means other than medication. Please forgive the generalization if you are a physician Fat Secret member: I am convinced that so many doctors are very quick to "prescribe."
03 Jul 12 by member: wiener4
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I am with you on avoiding the meds, and working on it through diet. I too saw great improvements in my HDL and triglycerides, but little change in my LDL, and overall cholesterol number. What you might be able to get him to do is test for LpA. LDL can be pattern A or pattern B. Pattern A is larger, more bouyant particles which are believed to not pose any cardiovascular risk. Pattern B is smaller, denser, and more associated with diabetes, type II, and atherosclerosis. Google it, and you can get the details. I know if my LDL continues to stay where it is, I will ask for this test.
Congrats on all the positive changes in your health.
03 Jul 12 by member: yduj57
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Sounds like you had a very positive experience with your follow-up and kudos to your doctor for being open minded when it comes to new information/research. I'm sure you feel better now that the appointment is behind you and you can now look forward to crossing that blue line and trying maintenance on for size, WOOHOO!!!
03 Jul 12 by member: MrsB1228
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Sounds like your doctor is reasonable. I am going through a similar thing myself and have to get some research done before I go back. I'll PM you if I find anything that you don't already have.
04 Jul 12 by member: BuffyBear
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Notfast, I hear garlic also keeps the vampires at bay! LOL!!! Must work, as I haven't seen you write anything about any vampire attacks.
04 Jul 12 by member: Sandy701
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W4, no offense taken, as I'm not a doctor (nor do I play one on TV). And, I agree with you that there are too many doctors out there who've just blindly followed the rec's of the pharmaceutical companies and they reach for that scrip pad like they're working on an assembly line. I realize that doctors can't know EVERYTHING....even in their own field.....any more than the rest of us can. I'm just getting a bit overwhelmed with all the info us regular folks are supposed to master to be sure the pros point us down the right path.....health, investing, nutrition, etc. Calgon....take me away....
04 Jul 12 by member: Sandy701
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Yduj57, thanks for stopping by. Like you, if my "problematic" numbers don't improve in 6 mos. of Maintenance, I'll be asking for that NMR or VAP test for more info or possibly a cardiac CT to check for plaque, as that's the real culprit we all want to know about anyway. Hopefully, the latter would come back similar to my DH's when the cardiologist told him he had the "arteries of a 16-year-old!" Not bad for a 50-something!
04 Jul 12 by member: Sandy701
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Carol, I do feel an immense amount of relief now that these appointments and tests are behind me....well, the mammogram is next week, but hopefully, that will be fine. I'm really looking forward to the prospect of maintaining for 6 months. Thought I could hit my goal by July 1, but no. Then, maybe by the 4th, kind of my own Independence Day, but no. I just need to hit it on one little day and then I'll be a happy camper. There's nothing magical about 90 pounds lost rather than 89 pounds, but for me, I've just got to do this.
04 Jul 12 by member: Sandy701
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Buffy, just keep on reading. Pretty soon your head will spin, but I'm hoping with enough reading of the tough material, I'll eventually understand it. There are a few books over on the Eades' blog that he mentions "take on" the prevailing cholesterol/heart disease issue. Also, a cardiologist in CA has an extensive blog on cholesterol that is really intensive. I think that's one of those I'll have to print out and read over and over and over again until I get it. I'll see if I can find the name of that doctor and either post it or PM you with it. Would very much appreciate any info you find that's noteworthy. BTW....that red yeast rice stuff is NOT anything I'd take....at least not right now, given what I've read.
04 Jul 12 by member: Sandy701
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I just read a book titled "21 Days to a Healthy Heart" that summarizes very nicely all the truths that it sounds like you have absorbed and believed already (cholesterol not causing heart disease, etc.). You may enjoy it. I don't think the link will paste, but I'll try:
http://www.amazon.com/21-Days-Healthy-Heart-Health/dp/1932458182
In the same vein, let me encourage you to do some research on mammograms and alternative diagnostic procedures for breast cancer (safer and more effective). From what I've read, the mammogram industry is the same kind of disastrous mess as heart disease treatment...with money and politics driving things rather than real science and concern for women's health. Just in case you're interested or hadn't given it any thought yet...check it out for yourself. Maybe at Mercola.com.
I'm returning to low-carb after a story somewhat similar to yours, and found your bio inspiring! Thanks.
04 Jul 12 by member: DianaBanana
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Sandy - you will celebrate "Your Own Independence Day" soon enough and we'll declare it an official FS Holiday and celebrate with you.
04 Jul 12 by member: BuffyBear
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Thanks Diana. I'll check out that book, as I've got a couple others I'll probably buy, as well. An alternative mammogram too???? Oh no....my head is going to explode! Sure hope my eyes stay healthy, as it looks like I've got even more reading to do!
04 Jul 12 by member: Sandy701
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Buffy, I like the idea of FS holidays! Holidays = PRESENTS!!!!!!
04 Jul 12 by member: Sandy701
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