Crysta Vs. Cholesterol

CStellaGo

Last week I received a letter in the mail from my doctor on my blood test results that were done last week for my yearly physical. I was really shocked to find out that at the age of 23 I have high cholesterol! How could I not know this when I look back at all of the things V and I eat? We eat out way too many times for lunch and mostly fried foods. I began drinking whole milk due to heart burn (which can be caused by me being overweight) and I am officially a couch potatoe.

I have decided that this is going to change! So over the weekend the room that I call an office and have been meaning to set into my "home gym" is now under way. I have set up the TV, DVD player (for all those exercise DVDs I never watched more than once), put out some favorite CDs, have the weights, work out band, balance ball, and bean (like an exercise ball) all ready to go! I bought an excerise mat and yes a scale. Yes those things I have told so many of my female friends that I don't believe in having around the house is going to take up residence in my exercise area! I bought a nice scale that records my last 6 weigh ins and also tells me my BMI and tracks progress to my goal. I'm excited!

It is time to quit kidding myself and make the time to exercise. I am always using the excuse of Savannah or school work if I keep this up I am looking at a long list of health problems and even more insecurities. So I need your help, I need support and suggestions on how to make this a priority in my life and to become a healthier and happier person!

I am serious about this I really want comments and suggestions.

Brokemuse

Cholesterol is a tricky thing these days. Especially with all of the new studies showing that the "bad" cholesterol isn't really "bad."

To lower your bad Cholesterol you need to stay away from bad carbohydrates. The thing is NO ONE tells us that. We think by eating those "heart healthy" cereals and avoiding fatty meats that we're improving our cholesterol when really some brands of heart healthy cereal has more of an affect on your blood sugar levels than eating straight sugar. Raisin Brand is one of them!

Carbohydrates are processed by the body and changed to blood glucose. The blood glucose is absorbed into the blood stream and then used for energy, especially in the brain and nervous system. If there is extra blood glucose that is not used for energy, the body converts the glucose into triglycerides. The triglycerides (also known as fat) are then stored in the fatty tissues for a rainy day. Stored triglycerides are what causes weight gain and can increase cholesterol. Individuals with high triglycerides often have a high level of LDL (bad) and lower levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. Individuals with high levels of triglycerides are at risk for high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease.

Rather then tell you what to stay away from, I'll tell you what to look for in good carbohydrates.

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. Those are two NATURAL sources of carbohydrates and the best for you. You can also try natural oats. I put a little bit of natural honey in mine.

Hope this helps. ^_^ GOOD LUCK!