Updates - Part 2

Yesterday, I began my fitness journey; I went to Planet Fitness, with my daughter, and spoke to her Personal Trainer. He tried me out on four machines, gauging the weight and reps that felt comfortable for me. All four machines were challenging, but two were a bit easier; I also spent about 20 minutes on a recumbent bike. The sitting crunch machine was one of the machines I worked out on; in order for me to work it, I have to stretch behind myself, to reach the bars behind me. The muscles in my lower abdomen and lumbar region did not appreciate that, one bit! I'm sure it'll get easier, given some time.

After our workout, we had some errands to run; one of mine was a trip to the doctor's office; no, I didn't get hurt at the gym, I had an appointment for a checkup. I had some blood work done, the last time I was there, and it was time to discuss the findings.

I informed her that I was not taking the Lipitor, and why; two of the side effects scared me. My liver has gone through enough hell, having to put up with seven years of chemo, and hormone therapy drugs; the last thing I want to do is deliberately cause myself liver damage, while trying to lower my cholesterol! And diabetes runs in my family; I don't want to do any more to my body, than I already have done.

Well, it turns out, I'm just about there, anyway. My liver is already slightly damaged; and according to my glucose, I'm two points away from being diabetic. In my defense, I had eaten a meal before going to that appointment (in April). However, I've decided to buy a glucose monitor, and keep tabs on it, myself.

This is a rundown of my levels, from that blood draw....

• RDW (the size of the red blood cells) - normal range is 10.8 - 14.8%; mine are at 16.4%. Bigger red blood cells can indicate an underlying condition (I have cancer).

• MCV (red blood cell volume) - normal range is 80-100; mine is at 79.5. So, not only are my red blood cells too big, there aren’t enough cells.

• MCH (average quantity of hemoglobin) - normal range is 27-34; mine is at 26.7. Because there aren’t enough cells, my hemoglobin is low.

• Total Cholesterol - normal range is 150-200; mine is at 216
• Triglycerides - normal range is 27-150; mine is at 228.
• HDL (good cholesterol) - normal range is higher than 39; mine is at 32
• LDL (bad cholesterol) - normal range is lower than 130; mine is at 138
• My A1C is at 6.3; normal range is 5.5 or below. The A1C is a test to see how much glucose is in your blood
• Glucose - normal range is 66-114mg/dL; mine is at 134. I ate breakfast, two hours before that particular appointment, so this is no surprise to me
• ALT-SGPT (measured to see if your liver is damaged or diseased) - normal range is 0-31U/L; mine is at 45

Again, no surprise to me that these numbers are off; I’ve been battling breast cancer for nearly seven years. That’s a lot of work on the liver, and a lot of damage to my internal systems. But I'm hoping my new plant-based diet and exercise routine will bring them back to safe levels. The last thing I want to do is add Lipitor and Metformin to my list of necessary treatments!

So, here again, is my regimen...

I'm eating tons of fresh veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and beans/legumes; and fatty fish, like salmon and shrimp. But I also need to work on abstaining from certain foods, as well. This is that list...

• sugar-sweetened beverages
• any and all trans fats
• white bread, pasta and rice
• fruit flavored yogurt (I don't eat dairy, anyway; so this is no problem)
• sweetened breakfast cereals
• flavored coffee drinks
• honey, agave nectar and maple syrup (I can use stevia, xylitol, erythritol, or coconut sugar)
• dried fruits
• packaged snack foods (pretzels, crackers, graham crackers, etc)
• fruit juice
• french fries

I woke up, this morning, expecting to be in serious pain; only to be delighted by the typical "ouch!" I experience, on a daily basis. The more my body gets used to moving, the more often I'll go to the gym; but, for now, I'll be going on Monday's and Thursday's.

My hips were not happy with this!