Before I started my new Herbalife diet, I wanted to go to the Doctor to get a physical so I could get a baseline of my health starting this so I could see how my health improved over the next few months. I was concerned about getting my blood test results because at 337 pounds, how good could they be and I was scared that I have abused myself so much that all my numbers would be elevated to be at extremely high risk.
3 years ago was the last time I had any blood tests done and at that time they were concerned about me because, not only was on a maintenance medication for high blood pressure, my fasting glucose level was 100, which they told me is almost in the pre-diabetic range and my triglycerides were at 300 and they which is extremely high. I think normal range should be less than 150. I believe the blood sugar should be below 90. My good and bad cholesterol levels were all in the normal range, which was good, but they told me if I kept on going like this, in 5 years I would be diabetic and God knows what other health conditions I would have.
At that time, I was about 310 or so. Now, at 337, I was extremely concerned with what the results of this bloodtest was going to be. So, this past Saturday, I went to the Dr. and she drew blood and gave me an over all physical. She lectured me about my weight and the importance of losing weight for my health and she also told me the dangers of diabetes on my health as well as other illnesses obesity brings about. I guess she also was expecting my blood tests to come back very bad.
Well, Tuesday I received a call from my Doctors office asking me to call them to discuss my results, although a little nervous, I think I was somewhat relieved that she didn't want me to come in an make an appointment. But I wasn't sure, maybe she was going to tell me over the phone that things weren't good and for me to come in asap. But when I called back, the receptionist delivered my results and aside from low levels of Vitamin D, all my blood work was in the normal range! WOW! I was shocked. I asked about my fasting glucose levels and she told me it was 83, which was really good. I asked her about my triglycerides which were previously at 300, now they were down to 122. I was really shocked to hear but happy to hear.
So, I still started herbalife because a healthy way of life is always a good thing and I see this as a second chance to get healthy before I get really sick and start having major health problems. I am so thankful for this news. But I do have to say that I think I know what contributed to this. I think it was some changes I had made as I adhered to the suggestions from the weight watchers core program.
Some of the big changes I have made are, I have cut out a lot of the enriched flour products, like white breads, pastas, basically I have cut way, way back on all the "bad" carbs and although my weight has increased and I have not been successful in losing weight, I have tried to stay active (As much as my achilles tendon allowed before I tore it and a lot less since my surgery, but slowly getting back there) and I although I do have the occassional fast food craving and binge, it's not something I do anymore on a regular basis. I think when I first moved to NC 3 years ago, we were partaking many, many times in Dairy Queen ice cream and hitting a lot of fast food joints. I definitely have cut out the frequency of those things. I have also tried to cut out sweets as much as possible. Again, I do indulge on occasion, and when it happens, it does happen in the form of over-abuse, but for the most part, I have tried to eat healthy on a regular basis, like lots of lean meats, veggies, whole grains, and beans. I have tried to cut down on the amount of processed foods I am eating, so when I am eating home cooked meals, they are not pre-packaged meals, but rather meals made from fresh ingredients. I still have a lot of weight to lose, but I feel encouraged to keep going and put just a little more effort in. Because if the few changes I have made are enough to have my blood work come back as normal as it did, then imagine what I could do with making a few more changes and learning to stick to them a little stronger.
I dodged a bullet this time, but I better get my butt in gear because the next time, I may not be so lucky!!
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