The sweet taste of progress
Three months ago , at the request of my doctor, I took a blood test to measure my overall health and the results of that test were alarming to say the least. Since then I have been working very hard to curb my sugar and sodium intake and, after I received the results of the blood test I took today, I have to tell you I am pretty excited this time around.
The main item I was concerned with was my blood sugar, which last time around was a staggering 142. This time it was down to 105 which is an enormous gain in my opinion. Yes, it is still over 100, but not by much, and it is significantly lower than it was just a few months ago. So I am confident that three months from now my blood sugar will be well under control.
The lab test items that I thought were significant improvements on this lab over the last lab where:
| Test | Standard | Last time | This time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glucose, Fasting | 60 - 99 mg/dL | 142 | 105 |
| Triglycerides | <199 mg/dL | 151 | 73 |
| Cholesterol | <239 mg/dL | 188 | 154 |
| HDL | >40 mg/dL | 42 | 43 |
| LDL | <129 mg/dL | 116 | 96 |
All in all, in the core category areas of concern, I have made significant improvement. No, I am not at all close to being "done" improving - I still have a family to stick around for 
- but I am very happy with what has transpired over the last three months.
I am also excited about the physical transformation I am undergoing. I have lost just over 30 pounds in this time, have dropped six inches in my waist and about six inches in my chest. I am feeling better about me, about my health and about how much longevity I may be adding to my life. Not to mention that I have an indescribable desire to exercise.
I am looking at different exercise plans that I can do at home right now because I would love to take advantage of this momentum I have developed. I know that coupling exercise with my current sugar-free, low sodium, lower calorie diet will have extraordinary results to say the least. But really excites me is that I can attack my health issues from two different angles: diet and exercise.
I think doing it this way will position me for a longer life, which means more time with my wife and kids overall. And lower life insurance premiums. Which means more savings. Which means I might just be able to afford that motorcycle I have been wanting so very badly.
And seriously, have you ever seen a really fat guy jamming down the highway on a sport bike? Me neither.
For the men: If you are fat (be honest with yourself on this), start working to lose some weight right now. Don't wait. You owe it to your wife, your kids and yourself. And I can say with 100% certainty that your wife will undoubtedly love being able to be closer to you.
October 21st, 2009 - 18:35
I know I’m loving it. : ) Good job, keep it up!
October 21st, 2009 - 21:14
Heh. I’m loving it, too.
October 26th, 2009 - 14:22
Woohoo. My sister goes to Lake Elizabeth with the kids and they all walk around it while feeding the ducks and geese. That might be an idea to try with your tribe.
October 26th, 2009 - 14:25
I love taking walks with the family. Lake Elizabeth is a beast of a walk, but I love that it is so long that the kids are wiped out after it. And so is the dog. Which means more quiet time for me and momma.
Unless we’re too wiped out, too.