Doctor Visit at Last

I've finally had my physical. The dr mailed me the lab tests. I'm pleased to say that nearly all of my numbers are good. Cholesterol is 173, but LDL was 104- 5 higher than the highest number it should've been (99). The dr did call & tell me that my vitamin d is too low. Which leads to depression, weakens bones & causes weight gain according to what I've read online. So I'm taking big vitamin d supplements. All of the other numbers are fine. My blood pressure, as I mentioned before, is in the 'prehypertension' range- attributable to my lack of exercise & 60 lbs overweight. Hubby is glad my kidneys & liver are ok. He was worried that my arthritis meds had been beating on my kidneys & my liver, but apparently not. Or not yet.

I wish I could say I've started exercising more. I've done my tape once a week this month. Or that I've made better food choices. Those would be untrue. I have made it a point to eat a big salad as a meal daily. The ranch dressing is gone now, so the fat content of the dressing will wind down drastically. I've tossed all of the candy. There are very few grains in the house, those that are are whole wheat & high fiber.

I think I'll try to eat oatmeal several times a week. I'm trying to be more aware of the salt content of the foods I eat. I want to exercise twice weekly starting this week.

Sill Alive

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I made it through the holiday season, bingeing on chocolate most of the season. Which activity has now come home to my bulging belly to roost. I finally went to the doctor yesterday for a complete physical. I've not had one more years than I care to admit, frankly. I've reached a frame of mind where I'm able & willing to take better care of myself.

The initial news, frankly, is not heartening. I'm not drastically ill, so if you're related to me & worried about that- don't. I've several chronic conditions that continue to be at a stasis point. My new doctor tells me a) I've borderline hypertension, especially the bottom number, b) my couple of times a week nausea and heartburn may be attributable to my weight gain, c) the remainder of the bad news will have wait until the blood test results return and d) my weight has reached an all time high, now topping by 3 lbs my highest pregnancy weight.

The easiest and most effective cure for blood pressure? Why- losing weight! *insert sarcasm here* Color me surprised. /sarcasm off. Plus? Low salt diet. That part won't be too hard. I'm not a salt a holic, inlike other people I live with. I have to say, it was easier to shrug off excess weight when there weren't any health related side effects. Before, I was heavy but otherwise all of my health factors remained the same. Lifestyle factors changed for the worse. Yes, bigger jeans. Lingerie no longer fits. Apple shaped ladies are atypical and therefore fashions aren't built for us.

My baby girl (now 17! gawd help us) will be home in half an hour or so. After she eats lunch I'm going to drag her along on a walk with our new doggie. Cuz we adopted a coonhound & he needs a daily looonnnnggggg walk. I'll be back later with more thoughts.