I went to see Kathy, my nurse practitioner to get the results of my blood test last month. I was holding my breath.
After we returned from the Alaskan Cruise last fall and then our trip to Illinois, my blood test results showed how my unhealthy eating and lack of exercise had affected my body. Kathy was alarmed that my A1c for diabetes was now 6.3. My cholesterol had gone up also. She suggested a diabetes class and getting a glucose monitor again.
I told her to give me another chance to get it done. She gave me four months. Well... for the last few months, Art has encouraged me to do the Aloha Run/Walk and to train for it. We've been watching our diet more again and walking whenever it's not raining.
Success! My A1c is now 5.7. Phew! My cholesterol is 212. Not great, but much better and my HDL (I call it my Happy Lipids) is up to 58. Woohoo!
Kathy says I don't need to see her for 6 months. I like Kathy a lot... but... I'm glad I don't have to see her for another blood test.
On the other hand... I've not been eating exactly healthy while Jon and Sarah were here... all those desserts and it's been raining a lot so no exercise.
Ah well... I'll do better now. I hope. I mean I will.
POSTSCRIPT: I am on a low dose of Lipitor. I just didn't want to take a higher dose. AND... I wanted to avoid the finger pricking.
I really think exercise and diet are key. And yes, I don't have great genes to start off with. Our kids have already complained about that. :-(
After we returned from the Alaskan Cruise last fall and then our trip to Illinois, my blood test results showed how my unhealthy eating and lack of exercise had affected my body. Kathy was alarmed that my A1c for diabetes was now 6.3. My cholesterol had gone up also. She suggested a diabetes class and getting a glucose monitor again.
I told her to give me another chance to get it done. She gave me four months. Well... for the last few months, Art has encouraged me to do the Aloha Run/Walk and to train for it. We've been watching our diet more again and walking whenever it's not raining.
Success! My A1c is now 5.7. Phew! My cholesterol is 212. Not great, but much better and my HDL (I call it my Happy Lipids) is up to 58. Woohoo!
Kathy says I don't need to see her for 6 months. I like Kathy a lot... but... I'm glad I don't have to see her for another blood test.
On the other hand... I've not been eating exactly healthy while Jon and Sarah were here... all those desserts and it's been raining a lot so no exercise.
Ah well... I'll do better now. I hope. I mean I will.
POSTSCRIPT: I am on a low dose of Lipitor. I just didn't want to take a higher dose. AND... I wanted to avoid the finger pricking.
I really think exercise and diet are key. And yes, I don't have great genes to start off with. Our kids have already complained about that. :-(
I sometimes think the stress caused by worrying about high cholesterol and lack of exercise does more harm than anything else;-)
ReplyDeleteYou will be fine!! You take good care of yourself mostly. I take medication for my cholesterol -- my physical limitations limit severely what I can do for exercise.
ReplyDeleteGood onya, Kay. Now just delete that delicious photo . . .
ReplyDeleteThat's good news on the blood test results. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeletegreat news! I think its amazing as to how much control we have over our own bodies if we just try, good for you to take control and fix your own problem choosing this over medication.
ReplyDeleteI am on a statin, which I've been taking for decades now. Every one of my siblings is on them. I would be thrilled with a cholesterol that low without a statin, but I know how important it is to get things under control, as both of my parents died of heart disease in their sixties. Glad to hear everything is getting better! Yay!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like exercise and diet play a large part in what you can do about things. Apart from that, it must be genetics because I think overall you eat very healthily.
ReplyDeleteYou had a wonderful visit with your son and daughter-in-law!
ReplyDeleteNow, get out there and exercise!
:-)
Love,
Kay
Great news.I don't blame you for not resisting that sinful dessert:):)
ReplyDeleteYou can always use your treadmill when its raining ( i remember you have one at home).
Wow Kay, You're usually such a good girl, you must have a really sensitive, picky pancreas. Possibly others from either side of your family with a similar challenge, in spite of being trim and eating healthy? Glad Kathy's helping you stay on track. (I need to FIND the track...after a new job. Or I could go back to marching for an hour every morning like I did in high school.) DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteBoy do I share your struggles on this one. I get up every morning determined to eat right and get exercise, then it rains out my walk, and afternoon comes and I snack.
ReplyDeleteI am obese and never exercise. Yet, my scores for cholesterol and glucose are normal. No need for concern. Eat your heart out! Lol.
ReplyDeleteDon't let the Diet Police get to you.Take it from me, based on sitting next to you at a scrumptious pre-opera luncheon, you are healthy.I could tell :-)Every day we get so-called health information in the media the net effect of which is to make us feel like we're on the edge of doom.
ReplyDeleteIt's in the genes, I truly believe that. My sugar is in the 60s and my cholesterol is usually around 170, yet I like sugar and butter. That said, though, if I were you, I would do whatever I had to stay off those statin drugs. Awful things. It seems, but I may be wrong, that you already eat a plant based diet? That is really the way to go to get all those numbers where they should be.
ReplyDeleteDavid told me there is a new gadget being sold that rubs your skin and gives you a glucose reading based on that. No more finger pricking.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to help. To avoid temptation, box up that gorgeous slice of dessert and ship it here.
ReplyDeleteKay, that is great news!!
ReplyDeleteIt's tough when we know that a solution to our own problems lies in our own hands, and equally tough when we know it's in our genes, and likely to be handed on to our own children. Well done you though for grabbing the bully by the horns and trying to do something.
ReplyDeleteMine was 6.3 and I need to get it down..sigh
ReplyDeleteYes, a healthy diet and exercise are key, but it is easier said than done.
ReplyDeleteWe all try to do what we can...moderation is key. But it's so hard not to indulge especially when you have friends and family visiting or you go on vacation. =)
You're doing great, Kay.
ReplyDeleteGood for you!
ReplyDeleteI loved having a Nurse Practitioner.