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Got my lab work back - my cholesterol was in the 250s - up from 198 before I started Atkins, my good cholesterol went down a little from 41 to 37 it's below desirable levels. Not all bad news however as my triglycerides went from the near 500 range into the 200s. My potassium level was normal. Everyone needs their potassium levels checked. I'm sedentary not exercising much of the time except for the occasional short winter walk here in New England, so my cholesterol is up from that - but I'm on medication that raises cholesterol levels. I'm 45 years old. My doctor wants me back in three months - he wanted to start me on medicine I told him I wanted to lose some more weight first he said my weight was OK enough now but I know if I lower it that it'll help get the cholesterol out of my system. Joining a gym now becomes a must not an option arthritis or not. Any suggestions on lowering my cholesterol and raising the good? I'm on Omega 3 three capsules a day already -- thanks everyone -- get your blood work checked. My triglycerides went way down on Atkins so that is a plus!
Diet Calendar Entries for 11 February 2008:
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1292 kcal
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Fat: 101.31g | Prot: 69.15g | Carb: 24.83g.
Breakfast: Banquet brown n serve pork, turkey sausage patties. Lunch: Ranch dressing, Romaine lettuce . Dinner: hot dogs, blue cheese dressing, chef salads. Snacks/Other: diet Coke . more...
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3043 kcal
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Activities & Exercise:
Sitting - 10 hours, Walking (slow) - 2/mph - 40 minutes, Walking (brisk) - 4/mph - 20 minutes, Desk Work - 4 hours, Resting - 1 hour, Sleeping - 8 hours. more...
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 Comments
Start small at the gym. You will be amazed how little you have to start out with to get results. Work your way up slowly. Get at least one session with a trainer who can give you a routine for your specific issues. I think in the long run it will actually help your arthritis. It did for my mom. It might be a rough start, though. I know you can do it. :) Since I know you are not eating sugar and you are taking your multivitamins, the only thing I can think of is to balance out your fats a little in your diet. Opt for Extra Virgin Olive Oil to cook with more often. You want to raise your HDL to balance out your higher LDL. This means not just Omega 3 caps, but more fish, avocados and nuts in general. Although now that you are aware of your potassium and are eating all those more anyway, I think it will help a lot. :) You'll get it more where you need it to be. You are still going in the right direction.
11 Feb 08 by member: sararay
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Thanks for the advice sararay. I know you work in a lab so you know what you're talking about. I've been limiting the extra virgin olive oil as it's so high in calories - but that should not matter anyway on Atkins and as I'm not far from my goal weight anyway extra calories don't matter even though I obsess about them at times thinking about a post from someone on another diet insisting I watch those! I have a large can of extra virgin olive oil and it's better for me than anything else to cook with and put on salads too so I'm going to get back to using it regularly. I hope to join a gym by April. It depends when I get my tax returns back... Thanks for the helpful information it'll help not just me but everyone who reads it! :)
11 Feb 08 by member: GlennM
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The Cortisol Connection book talks a lot about portion sizes and I think we can limit those, but calories, shmalories! The amount of fat he recommends is if you make an OK sign with your hand the area between your thumb and pointer fingers is how much fat you should have in every meal. My point is we can overdo it, and a little goes a long way, but I believe it is therapeutic and makes your meal more satisfying which makes you eat less in the long run. You are not the only one to get thrown off by the calorie counters out there. What they don't understand is that we don't eat many more calories than they do, we just enjoy them more. ;)
11 Feb 08 by member: sararay
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Remember that things like olive oil, nuts, olives, flaxseed & oil are all high in monounsaturated fats which are actually good for you and can help lower cholesterol. I think that getting the remaining weight off and exercise may help you get your levels closer to where they should be. Since you are no longer eating all of those white carbs your body probably isn't as inflamed which should help with the arthritis. I agree with Sara about meeting with a personal trainer at the gym you join. He or she should be knowledgeable regarding the type of program you should be on with your arthritis. Every little step helps, and it sounds like you are still doing great.
11 Feb 08 by member: slease
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