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I know my numbers. Do you know yours?

[ 12 ] 09/22/2009 |

So much of what we all focus on when trying to lose weight are numbers:

  • Pounds lost and gained
  • Calories/Points eaten
  • Inches lost
  • Minutes (Hours?) of exercise
  • Clothes sizes

But what about another set of numbers?  When’s the last time you had your cholesterol and triglycerides checked?

My dad was overweight for most of his adult life.  It took a doctor to tell him that he needed to shed some pounds.  And he did so with such determination that I am still amazed when I see his “before” pictures.

But even after he lost the weight, he was still having some health problems.  A simple blood test revealed that his cholesterol was high and he had elevated triglycerides.

He tried to get the numbers down by changing the foods he ate (ditching almost all products containing hydrogenated oils – my dad is a champion label reader) and taking fish oil supplements every day, but it still wasn’t enough.  In addition to the fish oil supplements, he now takes daily cholesterol meds.

Sometimes, genetics is a pain in the ass.

I was talking to him recently and he told me that one of my brothers and two of my sisters were having the same issues that he was.  They are now doing their best (usually) to get their numbers under control.

I decided it was time to get myself to the doctor.  The blood test took less than 5 minutes and I got the results in a few days.

Thankfully, my results were all within normal ranges.  The changes that I’ve been making for myself over the past couple years are paying off in places other than the scales and the fitting room.

In this case, knowledge was a powerful thing.  If I hadn’t known about my dad and siblings, I NEVER would have gotten my blood tested.  Don’t take for granted that which you cannot see!

If you want more information on cholesterol and how it affects you, be sure to check out the American Heart Association website.

My Numbers:
Total Cholesterol – 175  (Less than 200 mg/dL: Desirable)
Triglycerides – 114  (Less than 150 mg/dL: Normal)
HDL Cholesterol – 85  (Greater than 40mg/dL: Desirable)
LDL Cholesterol – 67  (Less than 100 mg/dL: Optimal)

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Category: Thea

About thea: 34 year old mother of 2 who is maintaining her healthy weight range, one week at a time! O.K.... Maybe every other week... View author profile.

  • BrookeF

    thanks to my genetics, i've got great cholesterol. my hdl is higher than average and my ldl is low. i'd have to look again about my trig – but i know they are in the normal range. :)

  • http://www.whooosthatgirl.com Lissa_ShrinkingJeans

    I know mine!

  • http://www.littleladybugthatcould.blogspot.com ladybugs714

    I haven't had bloodwork done is probably over 5 years. Will need to get a round done when we start TTC. Wouldn't it be nice if there were an easy way of checking it thruout the week, kinda like bloodsugar?

  • http://www.babytealeaves.blogspot.com Christie O.

    oooh i haven't a clue about that and i reallly realllly should, you're right.

  • http://thesassymama.blogspot.com Heather

    Good reminder. I have crappy genes and the cholesterol to prove it. I need to go get checked.

  • anng

    I haven't had my numbers checked in a couple of years, but it's time again. Maybe I'll get it done this fall again. I need to go in for a number of check ups and physicals so I'll take care of it at the same time! And maybe I'll wait for a few more pounds to come off so those numbers will look even better!!

  • http://www.alberts-family.blogspot.com/ danielle

    I just found out my numbers yesterday!!! These were the only ones they gave me!!!

    My Numbers:
    Total Cholesterol – 160 (Less than 200 mg/dL: Desirable)
    Triglycerides – 111 (Less than 150 mg/dL: Normal)
    HDL Cholesterol – 49 (Greater than 40mg/dL: Desirable)

  • jenniferbrown

    High cholesterol runs in my family so this is something that I have checked once a year. Thank goodness my levels are normal but it's time for my yearly blood work. Although, I must admit that I was really nervous the first time I got tested. Just what I need is another thing to worry about…like loosing 100 lbs. is not enough! ;)

  • http://thesassymama.blogspot.com Heather

    Good reminder. I have crappy genes and the cholesterol to prove it. I need to go get checked.

  • anng

    I haven't had my numbers checked in a couple of years, but it's time again. Maybe I'll get it done this fall again. I need to go in for a number of check ups and physicals so I'll take care of it at the same time! And maybe I'll wait for a few more pounds to come off so those numbers will look even better!!

  • http://www.alberts-family.blogspot.com/ danielle

    I just found out my numbers yesterday!!! These were the only ones they gave me!!!

    My Numbers:
    Total Cholesterol – 160 (Less than 200 mg/dL: Desirable)
    Triglycerides – 111 (Less than 150 mg/dL: Normal)
    HDL Cholesterol – 49 (Greater than 40mg/dL: Desirable)

  • jenniferbrown

    High cholesterol runs in my family so this is something that I have checked once a year. Thank goodness my levels are normal but it's time for my yearly blood work. Although, I must admit that I was really nervous the first time I got tested. Just what I need is another thing to worry about…like loosing 100 lbs. is not enough! ;)