How I lowered my Cholesterol...NATURALLY!
A little over a year ago, in a sample of bloodwork I had done prior to my Decompression Surgery (see my Chiari) I was alerted that my total Cholesterol had broken 300. It was 301 in fact. Well as you can imagine, my doctor and I were both alarmed.
According to the American Heart Association, an estimated 102.2 million adults in the United States have total blood cholesterol values of 200 mg/dL and higher, and of these about 35.7 million American adults have levels of 240 or above. In adults, total cholesterol levels of 240 mg/dL or higher are considered high risk. Levels from 200 to 239 mg/dL are considered borderline-high risk.
You can see why the concern. My doctor wanted to put me on Cholesterol medication. It is hereditary so I have a natural predisposition for it. However, I believe that medication is over used and over prescribed in our society. I can't understand why people are so quick to take medications, ignoring the side affects and sometimes, end up taking another pill to control the side affects. I'm not so sure that medications, at times, aren't doing more harm than good. (Obviously I am not a doctor and do not advocate neglecting medical issues or disobeying a doctors orders. Any health issue, and the course of treatment should be discussed thoroughly with a physician. A diet and exercise program is no exception!)
So, against her wishes, I set out to change my lifestyle.
Long story short, through diet and regular exercise, I dropped my Cholesterol 36% to 192!!!!
How did I do it?
Very simple.
I went grassroots. I thought to myself, "what would it be like if there were no grocery stores or fast food restaurants?". I figured that it only made sense to eat the way we were intended to eat. Thousands, even just a few hundred years ago, we worked for our food. We toiled on the land, we chased and hunted, we fished. There is a reason that Twinkies don't grow on trees, or boxed macaroni and cheese doesn't come out of the ground, or...well, you get the point!
We began researching and we stunned and amazed at just how deceiving food companies are. Our society has eaten so poorly for so many years that even when we think we are eating healthy, we aren't. Basically almost anything in a box or a plastic wrapper (processed food) is NOT good for you. I don't care if it says something like "low sodium" or "heart healthy". Those statements are statements that fall under loose standards. When you check the "low sodium" you will find it's only reduced. I've seen "low sodium" soup that 1/2 cup has over 1/2 of the recommended daily allowance.
The reality is that processed food contains chemicals, preservatives, large amounts of sodium, high fructose corn syrup, etc. All of these things are not good for the human body. They cause health problems and are hard for your body to digest.
So, I cut them out for the most part. I strive for 75% of the food I eat to be raw. Raw fruits, raw vegetables, raw nuts. I am not a full vegetarian but don't eat meat everyday. When I do, I try to eat chicken or fish. NEVER anything fried. Salad dressings? Olive oil based only. Preferrably some type of vinegar and oil. That other garbage is just that, garbage!
Then, I found Beachbody . I started P90X and started incorporating Shakeology into my meal plans daily. I lost so much weight and felt so much better almost immediately that I signed up to be a Beachbody Coach to help others do what I was doing. In reality, that only made me more motivated!
I truly believe that these three things: A good 5-7 day a week workout regimine (such as P90X , INSANITY , Slim in 6 , or any other Beachbody program ), "clean" eating such as 75% raw fruits and veggies and the healthiest meal of the day, Shakeology can dramatically change your health. It has mine. Not only is my Cholesterol down over 100 points, putting me back in "normal" range, but I've lost 35 lbs and I feel better than I have felt in many years.
THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT TAKEN FROM THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION WEBSITE:
How does physical activity affect cholesterol?
Regular physical activity increases HDL cholesterol in some people. A higher HDL cholesterol is linked with a lower risk of heart disease. Physical activity can also help control weight, diabetes and high blood pressure. Aerobic physical activity raises your heart and breathing rates. Regular moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity such as brisk walking, jogging and swimming also condition your heart and lungs.
Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease. Even moderate-intensity activities, if done daily, help reduce your risk. Examples are walking for pleasure, gardening, yard work, housework, dancing and prescribed home exercise.
It's not as hard as you think. I tell people to start with baby steps. Change a little each day. When you fall off the wagon, dust yourself off and jump back on again. You'll be glad you did. And if you want/need support and encouragement, let us know. That's what we do, and honestly, it's FREE. We do this to help people. We believe so much in the Beachbody products that we will recommend something to help you reach your goals BUT it is not a requirement for us to help. We want to help. Contact us today and let's start working to get you where you want to be. Together, we can change lives.
Remember, being blessed is a choice.
Bradley Hall is a firefighter and an Independent Diamond Beachbody Coach in Indianapolis, IN, who coaches people on health & fitness for free. Follow him on
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