Frank
04-15-2010, 08:24 PM
My employer offers every year free blook work. I did it two years ago, skipped last year, and did it again this year. Got results today.
I was expecting high bad cholesterol; had it - got it. But, in the last two years, I appear to finally be showing the effects of some decades of bad habits.
OK, as a almost-53-year-old-male at high risk for a heart attack or stroke (already known, thank you so much), I've got to change my ways if I expect to make retirement age and be able to have a reasonably active life. (I don't so much mind the concept of dying before retirement age--we've all got to go sometime--what I fear is that I will make it that long, and not be fairly healthy and active.)
1) Quit smoking - required for the exercise that is needed for almost everything else.
2) Exercise - I like walking. I don't want to be muscle-bound; I want to concentrate on stamina and muscle-tone. Some weight work might be helpful, but that's not where I want to focus.
3) Cholesterol and pre-type2-diabetes - Portion control and finding acceptable substitutes for whole butter and 2% milk. Return to making my own food instead of sugar-laden store-bought meals. Exercise.
4) Reduce alchohol - Not quit, reduce. Considering switching to a glass of wine with dinner, and nothing else.
5) Find a doctor who is worth a shit. - Best of luck to me on that one.
Advice? Thoughts on the order of my priorities? Suggestions?
I was expecting high bad cholesterol; had it - got it. But, in the last two years, I appear to finally be showing the effects of some decades of bad habits.
OK, as a almost-53-year-old-male at high risk for a heart attack or stroke (already known, thank you so much), I've got to change my ways if I expect to make retirement age and be able to have a reasonably active life. (I don't so much mind the concept of dying before retirement age--we've all got to go sometime--what I fear is that I will make it that long, and not be fairly healthy and active.)
1) Quit smoking - required for the exercise that is needed for almost everything else.
2) Exercise - I like walking. I don't want to be muscle-bound; I want to concentrate on stamina and muscle-tone. Some weight work might be helpful, but that's not where I want to focus.
3) Cholesterol and pre-type2-diabetes - Portion control and finding acceptable substitutes for whole butter and 2% milk. Return to making my own food instead of sugar-laden store-bought meals. Exercise.
4) Reduce alchohol - Not quit, reduce. Considering switching to a glass of wine with dinner, and nothing else.
5) Find a doctor who is worth a shit. - Best of luck to me on that one.
Advice? Thoughts on the order of my priorities? Suggestions?