Wellness Break: Cholesterol

I began working with my first client on 12/6/12...woohoo!! I actually should be more excited than I appear to be, but I really am jumping for joy on the inside. I truly focus on results, so until I see change, I hold my applause.

The background on my client and his presenting problem is that he recently went for a health check up due to having heart palpitations and learned that he had high cholesterol. Per his doctor, he needed to lower his cholesterol within 3 months to avoid having to be prescribed medication. This topic is one of which I have personally experienced. Our stories are in fact, mirrored in the sense that we are both former athletes with fast metabolisms and we both felt that eating healthy was not a priority. Until a poor bill of health is handed to us, of course!

arteries
Having excess cholesterol can cause a build up in your arteries and may cause major health concerns. A main reason for being prescribed medication to lower high cholesterol is to inadvertently lower the chances of having a heart attack and/or serious strokes.  What most do not understand is that you can lower your cholesterol by making a few changes. Especially changes pertaining to the foods that we eat, in which have high cholesterol.

Obviously, I practice holistic methods, so here's how I was able to lower mine and keep it lowered:

  • Diet - I began eating less fast food. Or if I were to eat from a fast food restaurant, it was very few and far in between. I also cut back on fried foods, such as chicken and fish.
  • Exercise - As a former track & field athlete, exercise was something that was in my nature. However, after high school, I wasn't quite getting the amount of exercise needed to have a healthy heart. I began with light cardio, roughly 30 minutes of running 3 times per week.
  • Fruits & Vegetables - Increase! Increase! Increase! I cannot stress to you how important it is to eat fruits & veggies on a daily basis. These are your friends, who are rich in fiber and low in cholesterol. 
  • Fish - Eat more of it! At least 2-3x per week you should be eating any type of fish. Though tuna and salmon contain higher levels of Omega 3 fatty acids, you shouldn't feel limited to the various types. 
  • Other foods - Oats, Nuts, Garlic, Flaxseed and Green Tea

Keep in mind a few things:
  1. You do not have to be overweight to have high cholesterol.
  2. It can be a matter of small changes in your daily habit. 
  3. Please consult with your doctor, as my client, prior to making the decision to substitute medication for an alternative method. This is one topic that can be a matter of life or death.
I look forward to sharing with you my clients' success in the next 3 months. Until then, be in good health! Your health is your wealth!