I have three Gasparilla races recaps to share with you all. The Gasparilla Jr and the Gasparilla Distance Classic Mic Ultra Lime Cactus Mini-Challenge (15K and 8K) were great, thanks to all the volunteers and spectators that make the races possible. While you are waiting for those recaps, whistle along to this week’s Music Monday pick by NoNoNo, “Pumping Blood”. This song definitely gets my heart pumping and is what’s moving me through the miles lately.
Speaking of hearts, in an ironic twist of heart health fate, my father suffered a mini-stroke in the month of February, the very month that reminds everyone to live heart healthy. His momentary lapse made me reevaluate my own heart and healthy lifestyle.
Almost exactly three years ago while trying to lose my post-pregnancy weight from third baby, my cholesterol sat around 225. As I continued to exercise and run, I also tried modifying my diet to get my cholesterol to drop. Once my cholesterol levels dropped 40 points and hit a more acceptable level, I felt so victorious and healthy.
When I visited the Gasparilla Distance Classic 8 On Your Side Health & Fitness Expo on Friday, I decided to have my cholesterol checked since it had been a while since my last screening. The nurse pricked my finger and took a small sample of blood to read the levels. In three minutes, I had my results.
Cholesterol = 218
Since that is high for an active woman my age, the nurse encouraged me to follow up with my primary care physician for a fasting blood draw and a more accurate reading. Here we go again. *sigh*
As we observe American Heart Month in February, there are some key steps that we all can take to protect against heart disease:
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Get regular exercise
- Don’t smoke
- Know your risk factors
My risk factors are my family’s history. High blood pressure and high cholesterol have caused many strokes in my extended family. Thankfully, my blood pressure was in a healthy range, however, given the criteria for healthy heart living, I don’t know how else I can modify my lifestyle to lower my cholesterol. I may need to locate a nutritionist to help me adjust my diet.
With heart disease being the number one killer of men and women in the United States and responsible for 1 of every 4 deaths, I don’t want to be that one in four person. Please join me in a heart healthy crusade by visiting your physician and having your cholesterol and blood pressure checked. Remind your loved ones to get screened and change their lifestyles to live heart healthy.
This is your heart, it’s alive
It’s pumping blood
And it’s your heart, it’s alive
It’s pumping blood
And the whole wide world is whistling
And it’s whistling
I’m glad you were screened. I hear of healthy, active people who are diagnosed with medical conditions that you wouldn’t expect, but as you said with a family history going against you then it’s time to step things up. Saying prayers you can get your cholesterol level under control. Great to have you on the dance floor! 😉
Best wishes on getting all you stats under control. Happy Monday!
We have been trying to modify our diet for cholesterol reduction here too. It’s not easy when the things they tell us to avoid aren’t really what we eat anyway. We are trying.
Love your song! It’s cool. About cholesterol…I have my reservations on that. I worked at a hospital’s cafeteria when I was a teen. The doctors didn’t pay any attention to me, and talked about the “cholesterol thing.” This is back around 1980, and these doctors were talking between themselves on how it would be a great boost in money for them to get this cholesterol thing going. It is big money now, isn’t it.
Good for you for getting screened! My employer’s biometric screening day is coming up, so I will probably take advantage of it.
great video ! thanks for moving me this Monday 😉
You go girl! Wow, you are such a moving woman! Good for you for sure! Love this song. New for me, but what a song to add to my walking regime. I have to start that as soon as the weather breaks. Cool choice! Thanks for joining us and sharing such a motivation song!
I’m glad you got your cholesterol checked so you can know where to go from there.
It is true we need to be active in our health.
And hope your dad is doing okay.
I definitely need to exercise more.
Nice tune too!
Hope all goes well sending good wishes your way.
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