I had my blood drawn yesterday to re-check my lipid profile. It's been 3 months since I've been on Lipitor, and my doctor wants to see how the current dosage is working out. I meet with my doctor to review the results on October 2nd. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I have to give credit where credit is due. If my bad cholesterol came down and my good went up, I'll owe it all to Will Power. My good pal has been instrumental in helping me keep my diet in check (something that was near impossible considering I was on vacation for a week and had a death in the family a week after returning from vacation). Who can eat healthfully under those circumstances? Well, according to Will Power, I had no choice. And exercise? Will Power cut me a little slack in that area but not much. On Monday morning when I woke, Will Power's first words were, "The party's over, honey!"
Back to business!
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
9.24.2009
8.18.2009
An update
Last week was a week of appointments. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Monday - cardiologist. Not a regular visit. Ever since our home was burglarized last month, I've been having intermittent heart palpitations. I don't mess around when it comes to my heart. So, I went to see my cardiologist. Of course, no sign of palpitations at the visit. Isn't that always the way?
But, on another note, he wasn't pleased with my blood pressure. He doubled my dosage for my BP medication and ordered a renal ultrasound (kidney) to rule out a problem with my kidneys. He said that with my increased exercise activity and my diet, my BP should be within normal range. However, it still is not. He also ordered what is called an event monitor which I'll be wearing for 14 days after I return from vacation on Sept. 5th. The event monitor will measure cardiac activity to better pinpoint why the palpitations are occurring.
Wednesday - OB/GYN. The annual exam. My doctor wants me off the pill. He says that it could be contributing to my hypertension. So I need to decide on another alternative. Ugh. Decisions. Decisions!
Friday - the optometrist. Another annual exam for my contact lenses. Uneventful. Good outcome. Plus, I really need new contacts!!!!!!
Glad that week is over!
Monday - cardiologist. Not a regular visit. Ever since our home was burglarized last month, I've been having intermittent heart palpitations. I don't mess around when it comes to my heart. So, I went to see my cardiologist. Of course, no sign of palpitations at the visit. Isn't that always the way?
But, on another note, he wasn't pleased with my blood pressure. He doubled my dosage for my BP medication and ordered a renal ultrasound (kidney) to rule out a problem with my kidneys. He said that with my increased exercise activity and my diet, my BP should be within normal range. However, it still is not. He also ordered what is called an event monitor which I'll be wearing for 14 days after I return from vacation on Sept. 5th. The event monitor will measure cardiac activity to better pinpoint why the palpitations are occurring.
Wednesday - OB/GYN. The annual exam. My doctor wants me off the pill. He says that it could be contributing to my hypertension. So I need to decide on another alternative. Ugh. Decisions. Decisions!
Friday - the optometrist. Another annual exam for my contact lenses. Uneventful. Good outcome. Plus, I really need new contacts!!!!!!
Glad that week is over!
7.15.2009
Are you with me?
Hold on. Here we go. Caution: this ride could get bumpy!!
I started riding my bike last week. I've been leaving the house by 5:45 am to ride for at least 35 minutes. I need to be back in time for my husband to leave for work. Not sure what kind of schedule you like to keep, but I'm not a huge fan of waking up at 5:30 am in order to exercise. I can tolerate it in the summer when the birds start chirping at 4:30 am, and it's impossible to sleep anyway. But I can tell you that in the fall, this schedule is not going to fly. At. All. Motivation, if you're reading, don't desert me in the fall and winter months.
I loved the bike ride today. It is so quiet at that time of day. So peaceful. I also like exploring the neighborhoods and checking out the houses. If I have to bike, I may as well use it as an opportunity to scope out the landscaping of my neighbors.
After the ride yesterday, I lifted some light weights. I have two 5 lb., two 8 lb. and one 10 lb. dumbbell. I do a combination of lifts to build various muscles. I have to say, I enjoy the weight lifting so much more than the cardio.
As for my diet, I cheated a bit yesterday, I had a diet coke and a midget tootsie roll for my afternoon snack. I know, carrots and celery would have served me better, but, hey, it wasn't like I ate the whole bag of tootsie rolls. Sweet Tooth is sure to be my arch enemy during this whole process. I wish he'd just go away.
I've been wearing a pedometer to record my steps, and I take my blood pressure several times a day and average it at the end of the day. I know, it sounds so obsessive to an outsider, but I've got to do it. Doctor's orders. I'll be posting my stats so we can see my progress.
Another step closer to my goal...
I started riding my bike last week. I've been leaving the house by 5:45 am to ride for at least 35 minutes. I need to be back in time for my husband to leave for work. Not sure what kind of schedule you like to keep, but I'm not a huge fan of waking up at 5:30 am in order to exercise. I can tolerate it in the summer when the birds start chirping at 4:30 am, and it's impossible to sleep anyway. But I can tell you that in the fall, this schedule is not going to fly. At. All. Motivation, if you're reading, don't desert me in the fall and winter months.
I loved the bike ride today. It is so quiet at that time of day. So peaceful. I also like exploring the neighborhoods and checking out the houses. If I have to bike, I may as well use it as an opportunity to scope out the landscaping of my neighbors.
After the ride yesterday, I lifted some light weights. I have two 5 lb., two 8 lb. and one 10 lb. dumbbell. I do a combination of lifts to build various muscles. I have to say, I enjoy the weight lifting so much more than the cardio.
As for my diet, I cheated a bit yesterday, I had a diet coke and a midget tootsie roll for my afternoon snack. I know, carrots and celery would have served me better, but, hey, it wasn't like I ate the whole bag of tootsie rolls. Sweet Tooth is sure to be my arch enemy during this whole process. I wish he'd just go away.
I've been wearing a pedometer to record my steps, and I take my blood pressure several times a day and average it at the end of the day. I know, it sounds so obsessive to an outsider, but I've got to do it. Doctor's orders. I'll be posting my stats so we can see my progress.
Another step closer to my goal...
Just the beginning
It's been 34 days since I've been on Lipitor. I've made some significant dietary changes to help lower my cholesterol, but I've got an uphill battle that needs to be won by October 1, when I will have my lipid profile re-checked. Healthy eating has been the easy part.
Exercise, not so easy...until my Cardiologist told me that I need to be getting my heart rate up to about 130 bpm (beats per minute) at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes. When a Cardiologist tells you to do something, you do it. No questions asked. Hello, Motivation, nice to see you again!!
The very next day, I started an exercise program. Two weeks later, I am still adjusting to the plan. Tweaking and juggling days and activities are just the beginning. But I see immediate results, which I love, and I feel great, which I love even more!
Exercise, not so easy...until my Cardiologist told me that I need to be getting my heart rate up to about 130 bpm (beats per minute) at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes. When a Cardiologist tells you to do something, you do it. No questions asked. Hello, Motivation, nice to see you again!!
The very next day, I started an exercise program. Two weeks later, I am still adjusting to the plan. Tweaking and juggling days and activities are just the beginning. But I see immediate results, which I love, and I feel great, which I love even more!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
