Lower Cholesterol

I went for my yearly blood tests and horror of horrors, my cholesterol level is up again. My HDL is alright. It's the LDL that went up from what was previously 102 (in 2006) to 136 this year. Consequently, my cholesterol level went from a good 170 in 2006 to 205 in 2007, a few points shy of the maximum 200.

Shucks! Is this the ghost of US vacation past? As I recalled the changes that took place in the last year or so, visions of ice cream (Ben & Jerry's, Cold Stone -- you name it, I ate it) and burgers and hotdogs from the US theme parks flashed before my eyes. Oh, and if you've been reading this blog quite regularly, you will know that I had brought down my weight by 10 pounds in the past and my cholesterol level from 223 in February 2006 to 170 in August 2006. So, looking at things in perspective, the 205 does not seem very bad.

Still. I am surprised by the difference that three pounds make. Since my blood test in August 2006, I have gained back 3 of the 10 pounds I lost and they already show in my blood tests. Good grief!

I will again go on a cholesterol watch soon. Actually, it's not just diet and physical activity that may affect cholesterol levels. Genes have a lot to do with it too -- and I look at my mother -- who does not eat much and exercises regularly and yet, her cholesterol levels are high. Stress, has also been said to affect cholesterol levels but I don't think that's true in my case as the past year has been one of the most relaxing and fulfilling times of my life.

So, what else changed aside from the US vacation? I have been eating less fruits, veggies, and cereal. I don't get to climb up and down the stairs several floors -- since I stopped going to the office. I'm home more often with the kids and that means eating breakfast with them of corned beef, SPAM, even if it's just once a week.

It's back to the drawing board. I will get my cholesterol level down naturally. That's a promise.