GET A COMPLETE PHYSICALTO LEARN YOUR NUMBERS!!!!
December of last year, 2010, I felt it necessary to have a physical just to make sure all my numbers were healthy. I had lost a younger Sister a year before way too early due to obesity related death. I lost my Momma 4 years earlier to premature death from obesity related cancer. I nearly lost my Daddy in 1993 to obesity related Heart Attack. (Thank God Daddy is still with us) and grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all to early deaths caused by obesity.... TOO SAD AND TOO UNNECESSARY!
So I went to a new GP that was highly recommended to me and requested a number of tests be run on my heart, lungs, and all metabolic functions. I did the fasting glucose where I had to drink all that NASTY sugar syrup liquid that according to my Dr was equivalent to a large Mountain Dew and 3 Krispy Kreme Glazed Donuts. On an empty stomach. Then I had to go back 2 hours later to see if the numbers went up to a diabetic threatening level.
Due to my family history of Diabetes, Heart Disease, Cancer, and all other Obesity Related issues.... My Dr. felt sure because in addition to that, my weight being more than 340 and my age of nearly 49.... and all the life-changing stress I had been under.... The combination was enough to assure her that I was in bad shape. She was unaware of my previous Hungry Hearts Weight Management Program success so she was prepared for the worst.
HOWEVER, MUCH TO MY DR'S SURPRISE AND MY GRATEFULNESS, we were both DELIGHTED to have the results of all that testing to come back with the conclusion that METABOLICALLY SPEAKING I WAS IN PERFECT HEALTH! No threat of any obesity related diseases.
I was told "WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING, WORKS! SO KEEP IT UP AND COME SEE ME NEXT YEAR! Yahoo!!!!!
I tell you all I have the best program in the world for not only losing weight but improving your overall health and fitness. Nothing is better than my God-given weight management program. I believe my good health all these years has been directly due to my losing 335 lbs and keeping it off for several years and then continuing to basically eat healthy and move more than being a couch potato.
Anyway...So, here we are! It is time for my return. Happily, I no longer weigh more than 340. I hope, by the time I go next month, I will no longer even be in the 300's. HALLELUJAH!!!!
Anyway, how do you know what you need to work on the most unless you know where you stand. So, here are some NUMBERS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER!!!
Lipid panels include:
Total Cholesterol
HDL ("GOOD" cholesterol)
Total Cholesterol / HDL ratio
LDL ("BAD" cholesterol)
Triglycerides
Blood sugar
VLDL (Very low density lipids)
What are YOUR numbers?
American Heart Association - http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/
National Heart / Lung / Blood Institute http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/index.htm
What Your Numbers Mean: Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Your total blood cholesterol is the number you normally receive with your test results. To determine your risk for heart disease, it's also important to know how this number breaks down into LDL cholesterol ("bad"), HDL cholesterol ("good"), and triglyceride levels.Here's a guide to interpreting your test results:
Total Blood Cholesterol Level
Your total blood cholesterol will fall into one of these categories:
- Desirable: Less than 200 mg/dL In this range, your heart attack or stroke risk is relatively low, unless you have other risk factors. Almost half of adults have total cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL. Have your cholesterol levels measured every five years-or more often if you're a man over 45 or a woman over 55.
- Borderline high risk: 200-239 mg/dL About a third of American adults are in this group. Have your cholesterol and HDL rechecked in one to two years if your total cholesterol is in this range; if your HDL is less than 40 mg/dL; or if you don't have other risk factors for heart disease.Talk to your healthcare provider about managing your individual risk.
- High risk: 240 mg/dL and over About 20 percent of the
U.S. population has high blood cholesterol levels. Your risk of heart attack and stroke is greater in this range. In general, people who have a total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL have twice the risk of coronary heart disease as people whose cholesterol level is 200 mg/dL. It is important to discuss your cholesterol and overall risk of heart disease and stroke with a healthcare professional.
LDL Cholesterol Levels | |
Less than 100 mg/dl | Optimal |
100 to 129 mg/dL | Near Optimal/ Above Optimal |
130 to 159 mg/dL | Borderline High |
160 to 189 mg/dL | High |
190 mg/dL and above | Very High |
HDL ("Good") Cholesterol Level
With HDL ("Good") cholesterol, higher levels are better. Low HDL cholesterol (less than 40 mg/dL for men, less than 50 mg/dL for women) puts you at high risk for heart disease. In the average man, HDL cholesterol levels range from 40 to 50 mg/dL. In the average woman, they range from 50 to 60 mg/dL.
People with high blood triglycerides usually have lower HDL cholesterol and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Progesterone, anabolic steroids and male sex hormones (testosterone) also lower HDL cholesterol levels. Female sex hormones raise HDL cholesterol levels.
Triglyceride Level Your triglyceride level will fall into one of these categories:
Triglyceride Level | Classification |
Less than 150 mg/dL | |
150-199 mg/dL | Borderline-high |
200-499 mg/dL | High |
500 mg/dL or higher | Very high |
Many people with high triglycerides have underlying diseases or genetic disorders. If this is true for you, the main therapy is to change your lifestyle. This includes controlling your weight, eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, exercising regularly, not smoking and, in some cases, drinking less alcohol. Visit your healthcare provider to create a plan of action that will incorporate all these lifestyle changes.
People with high triglycerides also may need to limit their intake of carbohydrates to no more than 45-50 percent of total calories. The reason for this is that carbohydrates raise triglycerides in some people and lower HDL cholesterol. Use products with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
Cholesterol Ratio
Some physicians and cholesterol technicians use the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol in place of the total blood cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends that the absolute numbers for total blood cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels be used. They're more useful to the physician than the cholesterol ratio in determining the appropriate treatment for patients.
The ratio is obtained by dividing the HDL cholesterol level into the total cholesterol. For example, if a person has a total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL and an HDL cholesterol level of 50 mg/dL, the ratio would be stated as 4:1. The goal is to keep the ratio below 5:1; the optimum ratio is 3.5:1.
My next post will include important info regarding sugar/diabetes numbers and what you need to know before you get tested.... SCHEDULE YOUR COMPLETE PHYSICAL TODAY!!!!!
THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT LOSING WEIGHT AND LOOKING BETTER!
THERE IS MUCH MORE TO YOU THAN WHAT YOU WEIGH. ~
Know your numbers so your number won't be up too soon!!!!
Blessings & Love!
Tina Maria
