As you may remember, I recently mentioned that I scheduled a physical for my 42nd birthday. I learned a few interesting things about women’s health. Things went fine, but then I got my blood work profile in the mail and I have much more to learn about High Cholesterol. WHAT?!?! “I am a vegetarian that eats SO Healthy” I actually shouted out loud to the paper…”Seriously?”  But it is true. My numbers are high and included in the bit of mail was a poor quality photocopy of Low Cholesterol Diet. There is a column labeled “Foods Allowed” and another labeled “Foods Restricted”. That’s it. That is my life now. But then as I am reading it I was shocked because out of all the foods on the Restricted list the only things I have (on occasion) are real butter in recipes, not directly on my food, sour cream and cheddar cheese maybe three times a week. Nothing excessive at all! Then I realized that I really had some learning to do. How can I have High Cholesterol and a Low Cholesterol diet? My actual numbers are:

Good = 11 on a Healthy Range of 5 – 40  (YAY!)

Bad = 156 on a Healthy Range of 0 – 99  (GAH!)

If you look closely at my blood you can actually see the chunks of fat floating
up to the surface and coagulating on top like cooled bacon grease!

( So I tend exaggerate just a little.)
My handout says that I have to avoid foods like:
  • saturated oils,
  • Butter,
  • bacon,
  • milk chocolate,
  • fried foods,
  • most meats (I am a vegetarian anyway)
  • anything made of or including creams,
  • whole milk,
  • donuts & pastries
  • cheddar cheese.

Funny thing is that I rarely eat foods from this list of “bad” list and most everything but meats from the long good list of foods. (What is going on?)

I have been checking the labels of the foods I regularly eat and I do have a very low cholesterol diet.
But, then there is this one little thing on the handout too that I saw having to do with exercise.
It says at LEAST 30 minutes of vigorous exercise at LEAST 5 times a week.
(oh)

Since my knee surgery last April I have been unable to exercise any day of the week.
(Insert Sad Face here)
Amazingly, working out is the one true passion I have that makes me feel invincible. . .
sadly, I can not use my knee and am in chronic, daily pain. (UGH)

!!!!!I DON’T WANT TO TURN INTO AN OLD LADY!!!!!

I also found out that high cholesterol runs in my family big time. This is a serious factor to consider when learning about and treating this problem. Genetics brings in another element so if/when I find a way to exercise regularly while eating right and my levels are still too high, I will most likely choose to go on a medication that will control my body in this aspect.

Until then I am going to make a doctor’s appointment to get my knee looked at again by a specialist and learn if there is ANY solution for me to have the ability to work out.

I will search the web for holistic alternatives to help lower my cholesterol.

One thing that stood out to me while learning about this is how important it is to have a healthcare plan that actually works for everyday life. With so much confusing information, it can feel overwhelming to manage conditions like high cholesterol on your own. That is why I started reading about direct primary care benefits, which focus on giving patients easier access to their doctors, longer appointments, and a more personal approach to treatment. Instead of spending months waiting for rushed visits or dealing with complicated insurance, direct primary care makes it possible to build a steady relationship with a physician who understands your full health history. This type of care is especially helpful when dealing with family-related risks, because it allows for regular monitoring, preventive strategies, and lifestyle support before things become emergencies. For women juggling work, family, and unexpected health issues, having this kind of reliable, straightforward medical access can mean the difference between staying on track and letting problems linger. It’s not about replacing other options like holistic approaches or medication, but about adding another supportive layer to your overall wellness journey. For me, just knowing that this type of care exists makes me feel more confident that there are ways to take control of my health and keep moving forward.

! Have a Fabulous Day ! – Jenny at Dapperhouse