Why is this so hard

fatpappa

I just went to the Dr and basically got told to to lose weight or die because my cholesterol is bad so how do you do it change a life time of bad habits

seska422

Baby steps.

Start by logging your food and drink calories. Get used to logging.

You can then look back through and see where you can make small, manageable changes.

fatpappa

That has helped and it frankly is gross what I was eating

Lovee_Dove7

You can do it!=-)

fatpappa

I just need to vent about how bad it sucks I guess lol

myheartsabattleground

Just clamp down, and get choppin

markyrocks

Add me as a friend Mate. I think logging what you currently eat could be a real help to make a change. Bit of shock value. I am only new to this too.

fitblackchic

I've found that researching processed foods has helped me a lot. I don't see fast food as real food anymore and that helped me to stop eating it. Also look up the legalization of horse meat....makes you think twice.

AnnPT77

Feel free to vent!

Then get going on changing those habits. How? Log what you eat, look at your diary afterward, decide on changes you can make to keep the satisfying, nutritious foods you enjoy most, and stop (or cut down on) eating those that are costing lots of calories but don't give you enough satisfaction or nutrition. Over time, try new healthier foods, and keep the ones you like, replacing some of your previous less healthful choices. And start moving more. Lots of folks start just by walking a bit more, then branch out to other activities they find fun, over time.

This process works.

My cholesterol & triglycerides dropped dramatically when I lost weight. I'd been obese nearly all of my adult life, all but a brief time in college. I've had high cholesterol for as long as I currently have records (around 15 years). I wrote the following update in my MFP profile in November (2015):

Down 54 pounds, and just got back my blood test results. Cholesterol 176 (last year this time, 230), triglycerides 82 (LY: 193), HDL 65 (LY 45), LDL 95 (LY: 146), VLDL 16 (LY 39), Chol/HDL ratio 2.7 (LY 5.1). My VLDL is actually *below* the normal reference range. In addition, as measured at the doctor's office, my blood pressure is down from high normal (to sometimes higher than normal) and was today at 110/64.

You may have farther (or less far) to go. But it can work, if you do what you need to do.

fatpappa

That gives me hope tryglycerides 777

TeaBea

seska422 wrote: »

Baby steps.

Start by logging your food and drink calories. Get used to logging.

You can then look back through and see where you can make small, manageable changes.

This^

You just need to tweak things here and there. Look for things you can change forever.

goofyrick24

I'm Right there with you.. My doctor told me to lose weight or make sure I had a life insurance policy for my kids... I'm only 39years old, on blood pressure and cholesterol meds... 20 years ago I was in perfect shape now my shape is round and sponsored by McDonalds, Taco Bell and Papa Johns... I need help with this and I need support friends too.. please add me!!!

mkflores10

I was hospitalized for 5 days after I found out that I was diabetic. My weight and unhealthy lifestyle is the cause. Its been hard and although I found out 4 months ago Im just now trying to get it under control. Its hard but worth it! Good luck to you and if you ever need to chat I'm here.

SaleemahR

You change it by taking it one day at a time. Don't beat yourself up, cause what's done is done. Start small and work your way up. Add as many friend as you can and make sure you talk to at least one friend a day to keep you motivated. We're all on the same path. As everyone else said, log your food and just know you have plenty of support here. Add me if you want.

snowflake954

OK, I'm going to respond because you're only 41 and from Minnesota--my home state (I've lived in Rome, Italy for 30 yrs). Your doc is right, time to get yourself together. How to do it? Coming to MFP is a good first step. You take one day at a time. Think like this--your body needs x calories a day to function. You find out what that number is, cut it down a little, and try to stay within those calories everyday. You try to move more. Buy a digital food scale and weigh all solid food on it everyday--liquids use spoons, or cups. Be careful of sauces, oils etc since they are calorie dense and should be used sparingly. If you do this I guarantee you will feel better in a week or two. You will also start to lose weight. Give it a go---the alternative isn't pretty. Good luck.

mrschwarten

We're totally all here for you! You're right, it's hard and sucks...at first. Having the strength to say no to the unhealthy food options, even when they call your name super loudly, can be almost unbearable. Almost, but not quite. Doing your exercises can be torture. Until you find something you enjoy to do, and is a challenge but not overwhelming. I did P90X a while ago, and the first time around during the Ab Ripper workouts I did nothing but lay on the floor and cry because it was so hard!!! But you know what, every workout I was able to do one more rep, lift one more pound...and now I look back and laugh at myself for spending all that time rolling around and crying on the floor! LOL!! Right now everything seems overwhelming but YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!! And it gets easier over time, because you get better and stronger. Hang in there!!!

size102b

I nearly died last year a couple times lost my baby to sepsis 5 months pregnant then hemoraghed ending up a stay in intensive care and 11 blood transfusions in 3 months
What I know is being that close to not being here has made me change my life style it's baby steps I did this all my life yoyo weight and it's hard if you don't change the mindset to not feeling deprived to enjoying healthier foods and walking
Add me yo tied 300+lbs on and off in chunks over 28 years we can do this

AnnPT77

fatpappa wrote: »

That gives me hope tryglycerides 777

In the one-year difference numbers, I told you "Triglycerides 82 (LY: 193)". That wasn't my peak triglycerides test. The 193 was a decrease from a peak test of 402 - I'd already made some changes in the composition of my diet, before losing weight, that had helped.

You should have hope: You can do this. Commit to change, and be persistent about it.

HealthierRayne

kimyrachel wrote: »

Seriously, cut down on meat and diary products. It will change your life. I seriously recommend it for your health. You should definitely consider and research on this. Hope this helps

I agree with this 100% it is proven that eating animal products (meat dairy eggs) cause high cholesterol levels.

A great resource is nutritionfacts.org there are a lot of videos that you can watch online for free, the videos are centered around facts, not opinion, using studies completed in the medical field.

T0M_K

Don't look at the big picture...by that i mean, start small. just one day. or one item. let yourself have success. Its amazing how it grows. As others have also said, knowledge is your best tool. you just have to learn to track some things. but again, one step at a time. you will be amazed what you can do! really! I'm NOT a bs'er. and don't blow smoke up someones...you know....just one day at time and keep moving. resolve now that this is a long process, not a quick change.

Best wishes

bruhaha007

Feel free to add me as well and we will provide as much encouragement as we can. There is hope and you just need to take that first step

T0M_K

VeganRayne wrote: »

kimyrachel wrote: »

Seriously, cut down on meat and diary products. It will change your life. I seriously recommend it for your health. You should definitely consider and research on this. Hope this helps

I agree with this 100% it is proven that eating animal products (meat dairy eggs) cause high cholesterol levels.

A great resource is nutritionfacts.org there are a lot of videos that you can watch online for free, the videos are centered around facts, not opinion, using studies completed in the medical field.

if it was just that simple. Cut "X" out and all will work out. Humans have eaten animal proteins for...what???? EVER. its about the types of meats and the quantities and your exercise habits and so many many other things.

Chicken is a great source of protein, Eggs for many people have been proven to improve good cholesterol. Fish is extremely good for your heart with omegas.

If you have a well balance diet and exercise by even just walking, there IS a place in nearly everyone's diet for animal protein.

The OP asked how to change a lifetime of bad habits and to suggest cutting animal protein, dairy and eggs out his diet is very misleading. my humble opinion.

sullus

I've found that exercise is the #1 influence on my cholesterol number, and food is a distant second.

T0M_K

sullus wrote: »

I've found that exercise is the #1 influence on my cholesterol number, and food is a distant second.

^ agree

Montepulciano

I would suggest that people check facts on dairy and meat leading to increased cholesterol...lots of myths out there...but the real studies that I have read said removing them from your diet does little to effect change of cholesterol. Keep it simple...weigh/measure you food, log it, keep a manageable calorie deficit, move more and you will see results. Don't make it harder than it has to be. Just my two cents.

NEOHgirl

As previously stated, don't try to do it all at once, make healthy changes and the weight loss & better numbers will come. Do your research, and make a list of the lifestyle changes that are recommended for your particular goal of reducing cholesterol. Once you have that list, pick one, just one, and focus on that for a week. In a week or two, keep doing that, but also move on the to 2nd change on the list. By focusing on one change at a time, it won't be so overwhelming, and after a month or so you would have made several life style changes. By staggering them, it also gives you time to notice a difference in how you feel.Make sure exercise is part of it. If you are completely sedentary now, just start with something small, like getting up & walking around your house during tv commercials, or going up & down the stairs an extra time each trip between floors. Moving even 5 minutes more an hour can help you be healthier.

And one other thing - this is a long journey. It will take a while. You will have detours and setbacks and THAT IS OK. If you make an off-plan choice, or if you suffer an injury that prevents you from being active for a period of time, remember to BAM - Breathe, Accept, and Move on. Each day, each meal, each hour is a chance to make a choice - healthy or no. One choice won't derail your progress, and no one is perfect. Look for progress, not perfection, and a few months from now you will be able to take a look back and see how far you've come.

Good luck *_*

hadley099

water, water, water. i add lemon juice, apple cider and some liquid chlorophyll to it in the morning. Seriously just by drinking a ton of water you will not feel as hungry and of course you'll help flush your system.

AnnPT77

sullus wrote: »

I've found that exercise is the #1 influence on my cholesterol number, and food is a distant second.

Well, then I think this must differ by person/situation. I was pretty active for years (over a decade) before losing weight, and my cholesterol/triglycerides stayed high throughout. By "active", I mean rowing 4-6 times/week for 1-1.5 hours, spin classes twice a week, regular aerobics in the earlier years and various exercise classes along the way (lap swimming, kettlebell, weight training, etc.).

Changes in diet composition helped a little, but only losing weight helped a lot (solved the problem) for me.

I'm not at all disputing what you're saying about your experience; I'm just saying that my experience was different, and the contrast between your & my experience suggests that one may not be able to generalize.

All 3 things (exercise, weight loss, good dietary composition) seem worth doing for their individual benefits, for sure.