I got labs done this week in preparation for a doctor’s appointment next week. Mostly good, except for the triglycerides and HDL which have plagued me for years. Also, my TSH is high, which means I’ll probably have my levothyroxine increased.

And my glucose was 112. Ugh. It fluctuates above and below 100, but has been above 100 more than below these days. I half expect any time now for the doctor to tell me I’m prediabetic. Regardless, I have all the markers of metabolic syndrome according to the American Heart Association (among other resources).

• High blood sugar
• Low HDL (the “good” cholesterol)
• High triglycerides
• Large waist circumference
• High blood pressure

Mind you, only three are needed to be considered eligible for the dreaded metabolic syndrome label. Up until now, I’ve had four. I am on meds for high blood pressure, my triglycerides are high, my HDL low, and I’m a fatty. But my pancreas has thankfully behaved itself, in spite of diabetes running in my family on my mom’s side.

So if this is true, and my glucose isn’t just a fluke, I have all five markers. Yay me.

WEIGHT LOSS IS MY NEW GOAL

Okay, not that new. But new for the first time in a few years, certainly since my sister got sick again. Last year, I was doing pretty good with walking. Managed 3 miles a couple of times before I injured myself last May. By the time I had healed in September, my sister’s cancer had taken a turn for the worse. She spent the last three months of her life bedridden and needing round-the-clock care. Meanwhile, I quit walking. I went back to convenience food.

In mid January, I was out of work. The last three months I’ve been a couch potato on junk food. I now weigh 199 lbs. At 5’5” tall, my healthy weight starts at 149 lbs. That is FIFTY POUNDS to lose!!!!!! Time to get back on that weight loss wagon.

THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET

So for the next 30 days, I will do two things. NO FAST FOOD! I will prepare my own food instead and keep it as clean as possible. I am going to focus on the Mediterranean Diet. It’s healthy, my doctors have recommended it, and I like most Mediterranean cuisines (Spanish, Italian, Greek). Plus a few years ago, I had done Connie Guttersen’s The Sonoma Diet, which fair results. I still have that book. I might dig it out again for inspiration, though I have no plans to follow the diet itself.

The second thing is start walking again. At least 30 minutes three or four times a week. I’ll see how a month of this goes, and then re-evaluate.

If anyone has struggled with weight loss, feel free to comment. I know there are others out there, so let’s give each other some support!

Until next time…..