|
REAL TALK A few weeks ago, I went for my annual physical and got some unfortunate results from my routine bloodwork. My cholesterol was high (good and bad), and my thyroid levels were abnormal for the first time in my life. I have also become borderline pre-diabetic and have gained 20lbs since 3 years ago. Yikes. After some additional testing, the doctors found nodules on my thyroid that they want to keep checking every few months. It was a shocking diagnosis, but didn't come as a surprise because both of my parents battled thyroid cancer later on in life with my daddy having passed 3 years ago from it when it spread to other parts of his body. As much as I was loving my new curvy body that looked great in and out of clothes, I wasn't totally healthy. I continued to lift weights and ate similarly as I have always done, but was struggling to keep up with my very demanding life schedule. I start the day at 4 or 5am every single day and go balls to the wall with no breaks until about 9pm when I would crash and sleep like a narcoleptic, oftentimes passing out in my makeup and outside clothes. This year is a year of major growth and change. I have already accomplished so much in my personal life. I got a promotion at work and am now in charge of all digital content in our marketing department. I have gone from coordinator to managing a team of employees and freelancers in just a few short years. I also purchased my home and got my ex-husband off my lease so I am now the only owner of my beautiful NYC apartment. This apartment is the security my kids and I needed in a very uncertain world. I am on my grind taking care of my family and my bills all on my own. I have made so much progress as a strong woman and am no longer dependent on any person or thing to keep me going every day. But my health and fitness are paying the price. I struggle with balance and haven't made a big enough effort to carve out time to take care of myself. My family and my work always came first and I always felt untouchable. Prioritizing CICO and protein have been the basic principles of my WOE. I didn't care about cardio nor worried about nutritionally dense foods. All calories are the same, I thought. Superfoods are nothing but a bunch of woo, I thought. The "food is medicine" narrative is BS and a calorie is a calorie despite of its source, RIGHT? But then I thought - if certain foods can cause our health to deteriorate, why shouldn't other foods cause it to improve? When I asked my doctor what I should do, she recommended a Mediterranean diet and daily cardio. She said I have to eat less dietary fat and more whole grains. No more cheese and mayo. What. My goals are now shifting for the first time in years. I need to lose about 20 pounds and for the first time, I must cut certain foods out of my diet. I feel like I'm relearning and it's annoying. I'm almost 40 years old and I just don't really like fish. I like to eat what I like. I thought cheese was healthy because protein. I have already made some changes. I no longer eat mayo. I stopped buying deli meats. I eat very little cheese. I have swapped my cheap bread for the wildly expensive whole grain type. I am no longer as concerned about counting calories, so I am enjoying high cal foods like avocados, nuts, seeds, and EVOOO in my meals. I am trying to work more seafood into my diet. And I am no longer forcing 120g of protein into myself every day. I haven't been lifting heavy and have been doing more yoga and much more cardio. My booty is smaller, but so is everything else. My legs look skinnier. My jeans fit a little loose and my arms feel like shapeless noodles. I am struggling to find the balance, but I know I'll be ok once I turn these new efforts into habits. I am weighing in again - DAILY. I now have a health coach to help me set and meet goals. Her name is Megs and she seems great. I'm excited to get ahead of this and I do trust that these changes will help my health. I will do a full blood panel after I lose about 10lbs and compare. I'm doing this for me and my kids and so that I can enjoy all the fruits of my labor. I work way too hard to be sick and not be able to enjoy life. Even if it means that I can no longer enjoy cheese.
|
1 to 20 of 71
 Comments
Sending so much love mama. You’re so inspirational! Good vibes your way, and can’t wait to see your progress 😘🥰
21 Apr 24 by member: PurpleAsh93
|
You are a powerhouse of feminine woman power. Being independent, strong, and healthy are superpowers. Sending a prayer for you concerning your recent medical diagnosis. Stay strong!
21 Apr 24 by member: Windy Day
|
You responded so well and sensible to the challenges. Good for you. It will be interesting to see what happens. I think it will do you good. Maybe we go through phases as to what is right for us and what we need sometimes. But yeah health do take priority. Hugs!!!
21 Apr 24 by member: liv001
|
Good job making the adjustments you need to make to be healthy. Don’t give up on lifting heavy forever, I’m positive you can integrate some of that back into your routine when you’re ready and can find the time. But life changes take a lot of mental bandwidth and it sounds like you live a very full life as it is so give it time. You’ll also find ways to get your protein as high as you’d like using lower fat foods. I say this as another female who lifts and has to eat low fat because of cholesterol issues. You are doing great 👍
21 Apr 24 by member: ddrudd
|
I’m going to toss in some seafood alternatives. Buffalo, rabbit and other super lean meats, and they’re not intended to be the centerpiece. An easy dish like paella taken off the high dining pedestal is really a simple and easy dish to make and gets better each day. Start thinking like a European for your meals. The buffalo reco came from my dad’s cardiologist. It’s delicious and you can stir it into pasta sauce, etc if you get the ground version.
21 Apr 24 by member: Katsolo
|
you look great rn tbh, I have thyroid issues too..but don't take anything, wishing you all good luck and congrats on your apt in NYC
21 Apr 24 by member: gigi00777
|
That was so wonderfully written. Seeing your journey is amazing. You’re so dedicated and I know you’ll rock the new changes!
21 Apr 24 by member: Shake Those Pounds
|
Praying for you as you redirect your path.
21 Apr 24 by member: Mac_Rose
|
You are such a good mom! You’ve proven you are a strong woman and a fighter!! You got this.
If I had ANY medical issues, I’d try the strict carnivore diet for a couple months.
Or carnivore-ish which would include only fresh meat, especially beef! and salmon, eggs, lots of eggs, avocado, any fruit really, raw butter, coconut oil, avocado and EVOO oils, nuts, raw honey, some dairy like 2%- 4% cottage chz, 0% yogurt, and RAW cheeses.
I basically eat that, plus a few veggies like sweet potatoes, russets. Sweet mini peppers, Cruciferous veggies, etc. but my priority is RED meat, eggs, raw cheese, and raw butter.
The carnivore-ish diet HAS reversed my type 2 diabetes and has kept it at bay for 3 years, so I’m proof FOOD HEALS.
IMO, if a nutritionist says you need less red meat and fat, I’d be very concerned 😟.
Especially for women!! We need red meat and good fats to balance our hormones which, in turn, leads to regulating illnesses. 😁
This is completely false that we should have LESS red meat. A lie, IMO.
Beef, along w eggs, are THE MOST nutritionally dense power foods our bodies can have.
A LOT of grains can lead to insulin spikes which causes inflammation which leads to many illnesses. So, those should be kept minimal and definitely portion sized. Homemade breads, wraps, tortillas are of course better because there’s not inflammatory seed oils in it like the pkgd kind.
If a nutritionist said to me to stay away from PROCESSED meats, PKGD foods, HYDROGENATED seed oils, and SUGAR ONLY then I’d consider them ok.
Whatever diet you feel is the best for your needs is your choice, just do research before lots of grains with thyroid issues.
It’s not the cholesterol tests that should matter, it’s the Triglycerides levels. Omega-3 meats can help lower triglycerides.
Best of luck to you! Take care of yourself. 💛🤍
21 Apr 24 by member: StormsGirl
|
Storms i would caution anyone to pay attention to their LDL levels. Mine have always been borderline and are now so high doc wants me on statins. Im not, we are trying supplements and dietary tweaking till august numbers. However, we did CIMT test and i have a blockage in both right and left arteries. This is related to LDL. I have really high triglyceride levels which are beneficial cholesterol tests DO matter. Said as a cautionary tale. I was borderline high at cheese’s age as well. We all have to choose our own fitness journey of course but i had to comment on LDL testing. It matters.
21 Apr 24 by member: Yearofhealth2023
|
What a time of discovery for you Mermee! First, let me congratulate you on all your growth and independence! You are an amazing woman and I am proud of you. You have gone through bumps and hurdles but come out on the other side a more mature, and resilient woman. I applaud your victories.
As for your health, well it's certainly a set back but not one that you can't overcome. You are still young enough to reverse and recover and I have no doubt that you will! Listen to the Dr. It will take some time to perfect your new WOE and your new fitness journey. My cardiologist is always telling me do more cardio and I thought he was nuts cuz I already lift 6 days a week. It wasn't until I went to UCSD that they explained weight lifting is ok but I need cardio to make me heart healthy. They have also suggested I lean towards the Mediterranean Diet as well. I have been trying to do lots of unprocessed and it has helped my Hashimotos a lot! Low thyroid and nodules are no joke! Take care of yourself so that you will have the energy to take care of others. Sending you much love!🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
21 Apr 24 by member: Diana 1234
|
21 Apr 24 by member: Yearofhealth2023
|
Also just starting to focus on Mediterranean way of eating - so interested to follow your progress. Wishing you all the best with your health and life balance
21 Apr 24 by member: chubba bubba
|
21 Apr 24 by member: unity1234
|
Cheese is not a protein and is pure fat. Most cheese is highly processed. Good choice, forget cheese. Nuts are a fat not a protein so watch the serving size. My thyroid problem solved with tri iodine I bought from amazon, we do not have has him too but deficiency! Look up iodine deficient belt. We do not live in areas where foods have iodine. As far as yourself....try just a 20 minute meditation free on YouTube. Yes, your job and family come first. You have bills to pay and children to raise. Stay focused, your doing great! Awareness, goals, plans....you have them now. So on the scale assess, plan, implement the plan, reevaluate the plan and cycle this process. I am proud of you.
21 Apr 24 by member: the salt lady
|
@YOH…they should have an omega-3 level test, not just focus on LDL and HDL. Half the time, Drs say less fat, less red meat…stay away from cholesterol…don’t eat eggs! That is not what makes bad cholesterol in your body. Yes, it matters, but HDL and LDL work together and eggs and salmon and red meat aren’t the problem. What’s more important is the triglyceride level which I mentioned are caused from processed junk. The common tests they give the general public don’t really go deep enough. 🤷🏼♀️
21 Apr 24 by member: StormsGirl
|
I get the omega 3 test as well. Eggs are fine but the yolks not so much. Yes HDL and LDL work together but a high enough LDL is very dangerous. Do general practitioners not test for omegas? Sorry, if that is an uneducated question. My primary is diet and exercise based solutions first, then supplements then scripts if still needed. She also runs full panels 3x a year. More if having a serious issue. I have my next one in a week and again in august. Of course i pay out of pocket for that so maybe that is why?🤫
21 Apr 24 by member: Yearofhealth2023
|
i recommend Ezekiel 4:9 bread by Food For Life! i hope you will be well and your blood results improve. if you like brazil nuts, they are great sources of selenium and are great for thyroid, seriously 3 a day helps!!
21 Apr 24 by member: DAZEY_iz_Well
|
I have confidence that you will get through this. I’ve known you long enough that I KNOW you are a super mama gorilla who will conquer it all and be better than ever. Sending love and prayers and strength for your journey. You are not alone. Here for you always lovie. 🙏🏻💖
21 Apr 24 by member: wifey9707
|
First, I'd like to congratulate you on your success. I am a father of six and grandfather of seven and it's beyond me how anyone manages the time and energy to raise children without help. Looking back from the less time to go than already spent side of life I urge you to find that balance in life such that there is as much time as possible with your children. You don't have to give up your goals to share exercising or cooking or chilling with them included. When we teach them to be independent of us as children they don't forget it as adults. Second, just any old fish won't do. There are both good and bad fish. I have found the SMASH acronym for choosing good fish easiest to remember. It stands for Salmon, Maceral, Albacore Tuna, Sardines and Halibut. No sickly farm fish, only wild caught. @Katso is exactly correct... Bison (Buffalo) is a tremendously good for you red meat compared to beef that will get you that iron you need. We eat it a lot in this house. @Stormgirl recommends lots of eggs. I go back and forth on this one. Eggs are a wonderfully inexpensive natural healthy protein, but they have a horrible fat to protein ratio. I have to limit them because they have such a high fat and salt content. I could not agree more with @DAZEY_iz_Well that Ezekiel 4:9 bread is a great bread to choose for health. We also eat a lot of the 21 grain breads that are out there. But I'm not worried. Sounds to me like you are the kind of person that won't have any troubles figuring it all out.
21 Apr 24 by member: Yippee Ki Yay
|
| |
|
|
| |
Submit a Comment
You must sign in to submit a comment. Click here to sign in.
|
|
|
thiccmami's Weight History
|