Wellllllll here it is! THIS absolutely beautiful gem was my cholesterol chart at an October 2016 visit.
You know, it's just not a regular conversation... like hi, how are you? how are your cholesterol levels doing? It's not something I think about all the time... especially now because I no longer have to remember to take that little pill! It's not only about weight; it's about health; it's about the things that are so important, but not always visible.
Cholesterol absolutely has a genetic component.... Yeah, Thanks Dad! It can also be influenced higher by an under-active thyroid.... Yeah, Thanks Mom! Already at two strikes, before I even start! Should I just throw in the towel now? I mean it's just a tiny little pill. every. single. day. and then levels come right down. Side Effects are deemed less dangerous than the levels of Cholesterol would be without the meds. So just take the meds!!!!! ok, ok, for a while.
WELL, IT DOES!!!! At least in my case, it does! I really have to admit, when I finally woke up to this fitness journey, those stupid cholesterol levels were not even on my horizon. I just wanted to lose weight, and I wasn't even considering anything else.... but once that started happening, then other things started happening
Just about a year ago .... coincidentally coinciding with my 2 year weight-loss maintenance anniversary, my doctor and I decided to stop all cholesterol meds. Scary and exciting and scary. A followup in 6 months (October 2016) to see if my current lifestyle was enough to maintain the lowered levels. Now this was even more scary. I went into that visit full of excitement and apprehension waiting for the verdict... and she showed me this chart. It was like a wash of warm water flowing over my head and floating me in the clouds; a deep breath moment that was like wow, wow, wow. So I asked if I could take a picture. She smiled and said 'Of, course'
The weight, the BMI, the size 4 or 6, although absolutely all milestones in their own right were one thing, I was used to that by that point. But somehow this was just different I walked out of that doctors visit wanting to burst for joy.... YUP, Bursting is absolutely a complete visual of how I felt .... kinda like when George Bailey is describing lassoing and swallowing the moon and all the moon beams will shine out of fingers and toes and the ends of hair.
Moments like this should not be forgotten, and I've been wanting to capture all the mish-mosh in my mind of this event for some time now... so today's the day! Even a few months later, I am still so humbled by this entire thing. I truly wish I knew 30 years ago, what I know now; I wish everyone knew this; I wish they taught things like this in school and made them requirements to graduate. I wish that no one no matter what their situation ever becomes accepting like I did. I keep saying this, but it is so true... "The greatest wealth is health". What better investment is there? To feel better; to do more; to minimize limitations and maximize abilities. To be the best version of yourself possible... and simple everyday choices can help get you there.