Dr's results are in - Not too good

[MrRob]

Well I went for the blood test and the resutls are in.

Cholesterol - 210
Triglycerides - 410
A Liver function either not working or is high.

This has now added more stress to my day.

I started reading on high triglycerides and it considerably lowers what I can and cannot eat.

No or very low read meat. Limited fruits, limited vegetables.

Anyone recommend any good books or Dr's that deal with this? This week has been a bad week for exercising. I have ate ok but not great.

[Lady C]

Originally Posted by MrRob

Limited fruits, limited vegetables..

I don't think this is correct. To lower Triglycerides you need to increase your activity, and eat MORE fruits and vegetables that are in their natural state or raw.

These are the changes you need to make:

If you're overweight, cut down on calories to reach your ideal body weight. This includes all sources of calories, from fats, proteins, carbohydrates and alcohol. Reduce your intake of alcohol considerably. Even small amounts of alcohol can lead to large changes in plasma triglyceride levels. (You said yourself that you have been drinking too much beer.)

Be physically active for at least 30 minutes on most or all days each week.

Reduce the saturated fat and cholesterol content of your diet. People with high triglycerides may need to substitute monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats — such as those found in canola oil, olive oil or liquid margarine — for saturated fats. Substituting carbohydrates for fats may raise triglyceride levels and may decrease HDL ("good") cholesterol in some people.

Substitute fish high in omega-3 fatty acids instead of meats high in saturated fat like hamburger. Fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon are high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Note the areas I have highlighted. These should be your primary focus for right now.

[MrRob]

I read this.

ALL sugars such as

o concentrated sweets: table sugar (sucrose), cane sugar, brown sugar, Turbinado sugar, Demerara sugar, powdered sugar, honey, syrups (especially high fructose corn syrup as a substitute sweetener for sucrose-table sugar added to fruit juices, sodas, and other beverages), preserves, molasses, jams, jellies, and candies

o desserts-baked goods: pies, cakes, cookies, crackers, frosting, pastries, doughnuts, ice cream, frozen yogurt, and regular or sweetened gelatin

o beverages: fruit juices, fruit drinks, fruit punches, regular sodas, carbonated pop, colas, aid drinks, smoothies, sports drinks, sweetened coffee drinks, mocha, and chocolate drinks

o high-sweet and sweet fruits (fresh or dried): grape (red and green), raisin, plum, fig, date, pineapple, apricot, melons (cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon), banana, orange

o other foods: sweetened cereals, flavored yogurts, and sports or energy bars

Alcohol such as
o beer
o wine
o hard liquor
o liqueurs (usually sweetened alcoholic liquors)

LIMIT:

* red meat, especially fried, changing it to broiled or roasted poultry (turkey, chicken), preferably free-range


I don't eat allot of those foods as it is. I do have alcohol on the weekends. I don't eat sweets.

I am obese and sedetary. I have tried exercising but feel no different so that is fading away again.

Maybe I should see a pshycologist

[sooner_ed]

First of all MrRob, let me share with you my lab results from January 12th, 2004:

Cholesterol - 207
Triglycerides - 913

No, that is not a typo. My triglycerides were 913.

Now let me share with you my results as of April 14th, 2004:

Cholesterol - 93
Triglycerides - 69

Yes, you read that right...triglycerdies 69. As of July 12th, my triglycerides was 44.

Now, I want to know who or what the heck told you that you have to limit your fruits and vegetables!! You absolutely do not!!
First of all, if your doctor was smart, he put you on some cholesterol medication. He may want you to control it through your diet, but most doctors will initially put their patients on some medication for that until they are able to get it under control. He also could have given you some medication to help you reduce your triglycerides as well. I hope he has done that.
Secondly, as far as your triglycerides are concerned, you just have to eat healthy. It will in now way whatsoever limit your fruits and vegetables. It limits your fat intake!!
Now, the reason you should have little or no red meat is because that contains cholesterol. So if you're not on cholesterol medication, it is a good idea to limit your red meat. However, do not eliminate it. Red meat contains heme iron which you need. It helps your body absorb nonheme iron so you get the maximum iron absorption from all your food. You can have 3oz of red meat once or twice a week and be just fine.
The best way to lower your cholesterol is to limit your saturated fat intake. Here is a list of foods that can help you control or lower your cholesterol:
1. Avocados - control
2. Barley - lower
3. Beans - lower
4. Brussel Spouts - lower
5. Cantaloupe - lower
6. Corn - lower
7. Figs - control
8. Garlic - lower and also lowers triglycerides
9. Grape juice - lower
10. Herbs - lower
11. Milk - lower - but keep it 1% or skim because of your triglycerides
12. Mushrooms - lower
13. Nuts - lower (keep it limited - almonds are the best)
14. Oatmeal - lower (no instant)
15. Olive oil - lower
16. Onions (will raise your HDL cholesterol)
17. Pears - lower
18. Prunes - lower
19. Rhubarb - lower
20. Rice - lower (brown rice is better)
21. Spices - lower (lowers triglycerides as well)
22. Tea - control
Stay away from fried foods. I have added some frying back in to my diet, but I fry with olive oil. And not that often. You should replace all vegetable oil in your house (really just for you) with olive oil. Use olive oil in moderation though as it is still 100% fat. Whole grains, beans, and fresh fruits are filled with soluble fiber which helps lower cholesterol. Garlic contains a compound called allicin that changes the way in which the body uses cholesterol. The best way is to mince or crush it because this releases more of the allicin.

Here are some foods that will help you lower your triglycerides:
1. Salmon
2. Tuna
3. Other fish
Basically, omega-3 fatty acids will help you lower your triglycerides. Fish is lower in calories and saturated fat, which makes it a perfect addition to a cholesterol-reducing diet. You should eat 3-4 ounces of fish two times a week to get the maximum benefits.

MrRob, you are now in the same boat as I was in back in January. However, this should NOT add any stress to your life. It should add MOTIVATION. Now you simply should do what you have to do. Eat right and exercise six days a week.
If you want any more information on how I have gotten my cholesterol and triglycerides under control, let me know. I will tell you anything you want to know.
Just remember though...do NOT limit your fruits and vegetables!!!!! And also, I want you to keep one other thing in mind. Once you get this under control, you will find that it will open up a whole new world for you and you will be able to eat anything you want in moderation. You will no longer be limited as to what you can eat. That is your light at the end of the tunnel.

[sooner_ed]

Originally Posted by Lady C

Reduce your intake of alcohol considerably.

Lady C, I respectfully disagree with this statement. I know this is nitpicking, but I would recommend MrRob, to stop your drinking altogether, at least until you get all of your numbers (cholesterol and triglycerides) under control. Alcohol has absolutely no nutritional value to you whatsoever and will only serve to slow you down from reaching your goals. I'm not saying eliminate it from your life forever, but you should eliminate it until you have reached all of your goals. As you continue to progress towards reaching your goals, you will learn much and you will start tweaking your diet as you learn these things and continue towards your goals. Once you have reached your goals, you will learn how to add certain things back into your life, but only in moderation. Right now, I believe you need to focus on your health right now and get those numbers back in line. Doing that will require a lot of sacrifice until you have reached those goals. How quickly you reach those goals will depend on the level of sacrifice you are willing to make to get to that point.

[MrRob]

Thanks Ed. No medication perscribed.

MOTIVATION is there but its not there. Too many distractions for my daily life keep pulling me away from exercising and eating perfect. Running here and there, working late, always tired (falling asleep when driving thats how bad it is). All the exercise has done for me is make me more tired and sore all over adding to my horrible outlook.

With a little one on the way in Febuaury my time will be gone even more.

I understand alcohol is a major problem but it has become an outlet for me.

I know these are excuses but I have not found the inner montivation strength to do this. Its also hard for me to maintain a proper meal program because I am alsways running around. Some days I miss meals or am not hungry at all or sick and nauscious, I know its not good but when I am busy I can't stop for meals. I do not get a lunch break or any breaks for that matter. A wife at home that makes clean food but when we are in a rush we end up making pasta or something easy. Dealing with depression and stress is another problem.

Diabetes is on the way. My whole family has had it pretty bad. I feel so defeated. Dealing with chest pains every day. Live on TUMS and antacids. I HATE THIS!

I feel like going across the street and getting totally S$^&faced.

[sooner_ed]

MrRob, I don't mean to sound mean here, so take this for what it's worth.
First of all, motivation is either there or it's not and right now, it sounds like it's not.
Secondly, a busy lifestyle can be quite distracting, but it is not the end all of your situation. You simply need to plan. Planning is not always easy but it can be done. As far as skipping meals, we can fix that pretty easy. It will not seem natural to you so it will take some work. The first thing to do is have breakfast before you leave home. That will be your first meal. After that, have no more meals for the day. Carry food on you that is easy to eat on the go. Carry some small pieces of lean meat with you in a baggy. Carry some whole wheat tortillas with you. Carry some celery with you. There is a bunch of food that you can take with you in baggies that will help you with your schedule. This way, you do not have to "sit down for a meal." Just make sure you have a small piece of lean meat in between a whole wheat tortilla every three hours or so. And make sure you carry one liter bottles of water with you. Make sure you drink at least one liter in the mornings and one liter in the evenings. Snack on some celery with your little meat tortilla. It sounds as though you will need to get the majority of your nutrients at home for breakfast and dinner in the evenings. I personally drink one liter of water before I have breakfast. Have a cup of oatmeal with a piece of fruit after you drink your water. When you have dinner, have some lean meat and lots of veggies. And while you're at work running around, you can always snack on what you carry with you when you have time. Go to the store and buy those individual pouches of tuna. Those are perfect to eat while on the go. Grab a bag of those little carrots while you're at the store. Fill a baggie full of them and take to work with you. There are so many options for you while you're busy at work. You just have to make it work for you. Just make sure you're having a small amount of protein and carbs every three hours or so. If you don't mind eating a cold baked potatoe during the day, nuke it in the microwave before you go to work and eat it during the day. Carry some fat-free margarine spray with you to work and spray some of that on it before you eat it. But you need to eat something every three hours or so even if you do not feel hungry. It sounds to me you are so tired because you're not getting enough nutrition throughout the day to provide you with the energy you need. Ok, enough of the food lesson.
Congratulations on having a little one on the way. However, that should not be a reason for you to not have enough time to eat properly. You simply have to "plan" things. And I know, you can't plan on anything when you have a baby. Well, yes you can. You just constantly have to keep changing those plans. That's what life is all about. You still need to plan things. Just be flexible with your planning. I'm sure you'll agree that you can't take care of a baby if you can't take care of yourself.
If alcohol has become an outlet for you, then you need to find another outlet. One thing that comes to mind is----hhmmmmm-----exercise????!!!!!!!! You will be surprised at the effects exercise can have on your mind and body.
Something easy to fix at home does not necessarily mean it has to be pasta. Pasta is not necessarily bad. In fact, in moderation, it is quite healthy for you, but I would make it whole wheat pasta. Seems like to me, you can make quite a bit of whole wheat pasta on your day off and take small containers of it to work with you to eat as you have time.
As far as the depression is concerned, you need to consult with you doctor concerning this. My question for you is this: when you when to the doctor the last time, what exactly did you share with him? Did you discuss your depression and stress with him? If not, you need to do so. He is your primary source of help in this area.
As far as stress is concerned, he can help you with that, but there are some things you can do for yourself to relieve your stress. A combination of certain foods and exercise can relieve stress. Concentrate on B Vitamins. Researchers have found that foods high in carbohydrates produce changes in the brain that can take the edge off stress. During emotionally trying times, the brain quickly uses up its supply of serotonin, a chemical that imparts feelings of well-being. When serotonin levels fall, negative feelings tend to rise. Eating goods that are high in carbs, like pasta, bagels, or baked potatoes can quickly raise serotonin levels making you feel less stressed and more relaxed. Ironically, as serotonin levels rise, appetite usually decreases, which means you're less likely to eat your way through hard times. Some good foods that are high in vitamin B6 are banans, potatoes, and prunes. It's not really clear how much vitamin B6 a person needs to help keep stress levels down, but it seems likely that perhaps 2 milligrams may be enough.
Lastly, diabetes is on the way only if you allow it to be on the way. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, it will be Type II. Type I is juvenile diabetes which is prevalent in children. Type II is adult onset diabetes which usually comes over age 40 or sometimes in the late 30s. This is usually because we have had bad eating habits over the 20 years or so that eventually causes this condition. You can control it but you have to work at it.
I believe I now have a much clearer picture of what you are going through. When I read your first post, it sounded like you were just lazy and had too many excuses. Now I believe (and I'm not a doctor, this is just my opinion) that depression may be causing your feelings of defeat. I would really recommend my friend to go back to your doctor and share EVERYTHING with him. He needs to treat you for your stress and depression. Actually, he needs to diagnose you with depression first. I'm just going by what you have just said.
You just need to know MrRob, that there is help for you out there. You do not have to live this way. You can get everything under control. Let your doctor help you. Then just understand that it will take some work on your part, but with your doctor's help, you can do it.

[MrRob]

I have shared this with the Dr. A few years back they put me on Xanax. Granted that made me feel high as a kite but it did not relieve the stress. Next they recommended a psychologist. I went for a few months and nothing changed but my wallet emptying. I told them about the depression again 2 weeks ago and they shrugged it off. I am sick of DR's. I have been to 3 different primary DR's, 2 GI DR's, Heart DR, chiropractors, Physical therapists and nothing ever chnages. Same pains and thoughts every day.

Last night I got ready to workout. I layed down on the bench and felt no strength to lift the weights once so I gave up again. This morning I woke up and it supposed to be my cardio day, Guess what - Didn't happen.

I know I have to stop drinking and will have to work at it. The nutrtion is a mess. I see what your saying about having celery or carrots with a whole wheat wrap sandwidch but then that doesn't add up to 2000 calories a day and that throws me for another loop.

[ajarvis]

I would say MrRob to not worry initially about adding up your calories to 2000 focus on eating every day and eating nutritionally as Ed has outlined. Once you are eating everyday and don't feel so spent then start focusing on how much. As for laying down and not feeling like you can lift the weight even once. Start with a lower weight than your use to and force yourself to do 1 set. Just 1 set. It's amazing how you start to feel after accomplishing that when you thought you couldn't. Small changes are always easier to make than big ones!!

[sooner_ed]

Originally Posted by MrRob

. I told them about the depression again 2 weeks ago and they shrugged it off.

Just wondering why you would go to a doctor who you feel shrugs you off. Choosing a doctor is a highly personal thing and you should choose a doctor who you feel will take you seriously and who has your best interest at heart. Not all doctors are the same. My wife used to have the same problem. She had a totally clueless doctor. Our insurance carrier changed and a doctor I used to see was on the new list. I told her we needed to go see her. It was such an amazing difference. Don't go to a doctor just because he is a doctor. Find one you like and trust.

[MrRob]

Thats why I tried 3 different primary Dr's. They got allot worse after my original, thats why I am back with my original.

I think if I saw progress I wouldn't be a negative to the workouts.

[sooner_ed]

Originally Posted by MrRob

I think if I saw progress I wouldn't be a negative to the workouts.

Ok then, let's work with this. Tell me when you started working out. I'm under the impression that you started not too long ago.
Let me tell you what I see so far:

1. You drink
2. You skip workouts
3. You don't eat properly

May I ask how you expect to see results? It takes a complete diet and exercise program. Then it takes the motivation and dedication to work the plan.
First off my friend...stop the drinking. It serves no purpose but to help you forget your problems and to make you feel good.
Secondly, you need to devise a nutritional plan and stick with it. You have to eat the right foods at the right times and in the right proportions. No skipping meals. I addressed this in an earlier post.
Thirdly, stop skipping workouts. This is not an option. Working out will actually release endorphines in your system that will give you the energy to continue your workout. You just have to get started. NEVER skip a workout unless you are sick.
Lastly, you need to deal with the stress in your life. Stress releases cortisol, which will keep the fat around your waist. Cortisol is our friend in limited amounts. Excess cortisol for extended periods of time is our enemy. You must deal with the stress. Exercise is one heck of a stress reliever.
My recommendation to you is to get a piece of paper and write down all of the problems you are having or potential roadblocks to your achieving your goals. Analyze each one and determine the cause of these events. Then write down all possible solutions to the problem. Pick the solution you feel will best solve the problem. Implement that solution. After a reasonable amount of time, if that solution has not worked, pick the next best solution. Until you understand the causes of your stress and how to eliminate those causes, it will continue. There will always be some stress in our lives. We can not get rid of all stress. That's why you need to find a stress reliever, such as exercising.
Also, you need to understand that you need to give all of this time. You will not see overnight results. As long as you are doing the right things, you will see results. If you are working your diet and exercise plan 100%, you will see results sooner than if you are working your plan only 60%. Everything works hand in hand.
Keep your chin up. Just sit down and work on a plan for yourself. Then work the plan. Reevaluate the plan every so often to see if you need to tweak anything. Life is a journey my friend. And so is weight loss and fitness.

[Lady C]

Originally Posted by sooner_ed

Lady C, I respectfully disagree with this statement. I know this is nitpicking, but I would recommend MrRob, to stop your drinking altogether, at least until you get all of your numbers (cholesterol and triglycerides) under control.

I agree but I was trying not to be that harsh on him!

[Lady C]

Originally Posted by sooner_ed

Lastly, diabetes is on the way only if you allow it to be on the way. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, it will be Type II. Type I is juvenile diabetes which is prevalent in children. Type II is adult onset diabetes which usually comes over age 40 or sometimes in the late 30s.

This is not true anymore. More and more childern are being diagnosed with Type II becasue they are obese. Also Type I can be diagnosed as late as late twenties and early thirties.

[MrRob]

I had a journal going. MON-FRI I was on track. SAT & SUN were not the fact of eating bad just not eating every 3 hours. I don't eat sweets or fast food. I did drink though. I have not felt any relieved after working out then when I started. I actually felt worse and nascious and very scared of the pains and the way my body feels afterwards. This happens after running or lifting. Maybe I need to fnd another way of exercising but not much more I can do in my home.

I really need to find out why I am tired all the time and I can't sleep through the night without waking up at least 2 -3 times.

I sound like a broken record.