Not Always What They Seem

I had blood work done last week as a follow up from my doctor's appointment in June. At that point I was borderline with my cholesteral. The report wasn't in my file when I arrived, but they faxxed it over from the lab. As soon as the doctor got the report she became very serious. Here's why:
Cholesterol: 275 (perferred range 50-200)
HDL: 39.7 (preferred range: >40
LDL: 189 (preferred range 0-130)
Triglycerides: 230 (preferredd range 35-150

National Cholesterol Recommended Reference Ranges:
Total Cholesterol: >240 High
HDL: >40 Normal
LDL: >190 Very High
Triglycerides: 200-499 High

Now you may be experts at understanding all this but I had to do some research--I really like the internet. Good cholesterol is the HDL and it can help bring down the bad cholesterol, but not when it's low and triglycerides are high.

So I'm not as healthy as I look or feel. I talked with my doctor about how the chaos and stress of the summer resulted in a lot of emotional eating on my part. It's scary to think what my numbers might have been before I started back to Curves.

The doctor said I know how to eat right and that I should keep exercising and she has put me on a low dose cholesterol medicine. I'm hoping it's something I can afford...because I don't know if I can afford to be without it.

Those are facts...now what about the implications.

I have been working out regularly at Curves and trying to eat better...but is better good enough. I called my mother to see if there was any genetic predisposition and there wasn't. So this is on me.

I was thinking about the spiritual implications. Cholesterol is a little like sin (stick with me here...and don't hold on to things to tightly...it is afterall a metaphor and any metaphor pushed too far falls apart). It lingers within, imperceptible and insidious, waiting for the time to strike. Watching for our weakness. The wages of sin is death.

What if I had chosen not to go back to the doctor? I didn't feel sick. I didn't look sick. Now I have to change the way I eat--and that won't be an easy task. I've been eating this way for nearly 52 years. I like eating--and I don't believe I've ever met a donut or cokie that I didn't like. Now that I know, I have a choice to make. Defeat the enemy or give in because it will be hard to change.

I'm going to fight. I confess my need. And I'm going to win.