My cholesterol

Who knew at 27 that I would be excited about my cholesterol??? The day before I started Crossfit (November 3rd, 2011), we had a blood work screening done at work for cholesterol. Other than occasionally wondering what my blood pressure might be and if it was good, I never really gave a second thought to blood tests and cholesterol. My thought process was always that I'm young and those are "old people problems".

I was shocked to find that my overall cholesterol was high, my bad cholesterol was over the optimal range, and my good cholesterol was low. Oh and my blood pressure was in the pre-hypertension category. And I was over weight by 43 pounds. Are you serious? I think at that moment as the nurse started going over all my test results the facts started sinking in.

As I've progressed over this journey of Paleo and Crossfit I've wondered if my numbers have changed. Yesterday I went in for my routine wellness exam and my numbers have changed drastically!

LDL - This cholesterol can can build up walls in your arteries and increase heart disease. The optimal number for this is under 100.

November 11 - 107
July12 - 85

HDL - This is the 'good' cholesterol. The higher the number here the lower the risk of heart disease. 60 and above is considered optimal.

November 11 - 66
July 12 - 71

Triglycerides - Triglycerides are the chemical form in which most fat exists in food and the body. A high triglyceride level has been linked to higher risk of coronary artery disease. Less then 150 is normal.

November 11 - 71
July 12 - 62

Total Cholesterol - less then 200 is desirable

November 11 - 187
July 12 - 168

Blood pressure

November 11- 122/80 (pre-hypertension)
July 12 - 100/60

Weight

November 11 - 243
July 12 - 205

My health is of vital importance to me at this stage in my life because I truly get the fact that we only get one shot. And I want to make the best of this life!!