So here we are, heading into the final third of 2018 and my cardiologist just reaffirmed something I already knew was true. Over the past year and a half I’ve been steadily getting a little heavier. In the twelve months between doctor visits I’ve added 9 pounds of additional weight to my frame. A few more desserts here and there, maybe some unhealthy choices when going out, but the pounds have come on.
It’s not like I didn’t notice. The clothes fit a little different, pants a little tighter. Running times a little slower.
I could chalk it up to age. Or injury. However while both of these are true, that would be a cop out. I’ve been a poor tenant of my body and that was fully identified by my visit to my cardiologist this past Friday. See I’ve had the misfortune to have some bad genes passed down to me for my mother’s side of the family (I’m sure I got some doozies from my Dad’s side as well!) that gives me a predisposition to high cholesterol. My body produces an enzyme that inhibits the kidney’s ability to filter out blood cholesterol as it passes through the system.
For the past three years I’ve been on a medication that all but takes the extra cholesterol out leaving my total cholesterol looking fantastic. At one point I was looking at numbers over 300 and on medication they were lowered to 150. So that’s good.
But I also think that due to this medication controlling my cholesterol I’ve relaxed in being conscious as much in what I eat. I think I’m more prone to “gamble” on a poor food choice than to be proactive in my decision making knowing the medication will pick up the slack.
But the cholesterol medication does not control the oversized portions, or the calorie rich food over the nutrient dense food. Or the snacking.
So while I well on my way to accomplishing my less than 52 non running days for 2018, here 2/3rds of the way through 2018, I have new new resolution that focuses on the food I eat. I am going to be more conscious of what goes into my body. It’s going to have more value and less fat and refined sugars. More water. And snacks will have to be unprocessed.
Let’s face it, it’s not rocket science. I know a few lost pounds will make running easier, and reflectively, make me less prone to injury. Less injury could lead to more miles, and more miles to more calories burned and less pounds. It a vicious cycle I want to get in to. As someone correctly said, we’re given one body in this life, and it’s up to us to care for it.
See you out there.
