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!!
Showing posts with label journey to a new me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label journey to a new me. Show all posts
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Saturday, July 7, 2012
The journey to a new me
Sometimes it takes something simple to see everything with a new perspective. Today I put on a pair of shorts and a black top. As I walked back into the bathroom I got a glimpse of my reflection. The shorts hung off my hips and the shirt looked like a dress or a tent. Not the cute snug fitting shirt it was 6 months ago. At that moment it hit me. I'm skinny! These size 14 shorts and XL top don't fit me.
As I let that reality sink in I realized every little moment along the way mattered. The moment I turned down a cookie dough cupcake for the rec center's 1st birthday mattered. The moment I walked away from the cookies at bunco before my willpower dissolved. They have all mattered and that makes me so very happy.
The other day a friend asked if I will ever eat junk food ever again. I wasn't sure of my answer. I probably will. I will probably partake in a piece of wedding cake at my friend's weddings in September. And I'm ok with that. But I also know my limits. I know that sugar is my greatest weakness. I also know when I avoid it the 'crack meter' in my brain that tells me I need it goes away. I feel better, I perform better, I sleep better. I do know that my life will never be the same and I will never go back to my old habits.
I'm enjoying being the fittest and smallest version of me that I've ever been in my entire adult life. I went from a size 16 pants, size XL tops, size 42DD bra, to a size 10 pants, size M top, and a 38 C bra. I've lost 37 pounds since January and I don't ever plan on finding it again. This new me is permanent.
I still have a few goals as I progress into this new version of me: to weigh under 200 pounds. Currently I sit at 206. I plan on fighting for every pound.
To all my friends that are trying to get healthy and stay healthy, keep working at it! You can do it. It takes a lot of fight and good decisions to get you there but I know you can do it. Your future self will thank you. Cheers to getting healthy and staying there!
As I let that reality sink in I realized every little moment along the way mattered. The moment I turned down a cookie dough cupcake for the rec center's 1st birthday mattered. The moment I walked away from the cookies at bunco before my willpower dissolved. They have all mattered and that makes me so very happy.
The other day a friend asked if I will ever eat junk food ever again. I wasn't sure of my answer. I probably will. I will probably partake in a piece of wedding cake at my friend's weddings in September. And I'm ok with that. But I also know my limits. I know that sugar is my greatest weakness. I also know when I avoid it the 'crack meter' in my brain that tells me I need it goes away. I feel better, I perform better, I sleep better. I do know that my life will never be the same and I will never go back to my old habits.
I'm enjoying being the fittest and smallest version of me that I've ever been in my entire adult life. I went from a size 16 pants, size XL tops, size 42DD bra, to a size 10 pants, size M top, and a 38 C bra. I've lost 37 pounds since January and I don't ever plan on finding it again. This new me is permanent.
I still have a few goals as I progress into this new version of me: to weigh under 200 pounds. Currently I sit at 206. I plan on fighting for every pound.
To all my friends that are trying to get healthy and stay healthy, keep working at it! You can do it. It takes a lot of fight and good decisions to get you there but I know you can do it. Your future self will thank you. Cheers to getting healthy and staying there!
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