Big wake up call.

[daftasabrush]

Yesterday I went for a health check at my doctors surgery for over 50s. I had a big shock! My cholesterol was 7.1 I am about 2-3 stone overweight. Please is there anyone on here that has been in my situation, I need some help with diet plans. B/P is normal, nurse is a bit confused by this, so I have to have a fasting B/T in a couple of weeks. Don't mind admitting I am a bit scared. Nurse says my diet is not to bad, just need to up fruit and veg intake, thank goodness I have an active job, where I work outdoors. Please tell me there is hope.

[lauratherese]

I've been in a similar position- need to loose 3 stone. I'm doing slimming world online and have lost 1/2 stone in 2 weeks,it's quite easy to follow!

[Hidden]

Hi - there is always hope! I've lost weight by calorie counting and exercise. The nurse says your diet isn't too bad so its maybe a case of checking portion sizes as well as increasing fruit/veg? As you've got an active job thats a bonus Its worth remembering that high cholesterol can also be a genetic thing. Good luck!

[Renka]

Some people have naturally high Cholesterol and as vonnyliz says, it can be genetic. It may very well come down if you can lose some weight so check those portion sizes.

[Penel]

If you want to improve your cholesterol readings, try to reduce your carbohydrates and increase your fibre. This should help you lose weight too.

This article gives you some of the science.

webmd.com/cholesterol-manag...

[daftasabrush]

Thank you peeps! I have taken the supermarket by storm today, and stocked up on healthy foods. I am ready to face this head on. The nurse I saw thinks it could be genetic, also I have an under active thyroid as do two of my sisters. The nurse gave me some booklets about healthy eating, fats etc,so I have been reading up lol.

I feel a little less worried today, and more determined. I am not generally a big eater, but do sometimes comfort eat, a biscuit here and there has probably been my downfall. I know its down to me to change.

[Hidden]

There is always hope! I had one of these NHS health checks about 10 months ago. OK my cholesterol was only borderline - 5.9 - but my BP was high so after numerous blood tests am now on medication for that:(( Don't worry too much about your cholesterol though, whatever else don't let them put you on statins without very good reason. Some doctors love to do that!! However my BMI was 24 so although not obese It was overweight and I needed to act. I totally disregarded the' NHS healthy eating plate' feeling there is far too much carbohydrate on it. Instead I went for a low carb and high fat diet, at the same time following Michael Moseley's Fast Diet: So a combination: I eat butter - margarine is BAD for health - went from 11.5 stone to 9 stone. Don't feel hungry at all, just very fit and well. Most important of all I - walk regularly, and fast and enjoy the lovely countryside where I live. Cheaper than a gym!!

[daftasabrush in reply to Hidden]

Hi. The nurse mentioned this fast diet book so I ordered a copy. I have a small dog walking business, so I walk all day 5 days a week, thats not including walking my own dog at weekends. I do about 48,000 steps over five days every week, that doesn't include all the other things I do like housework, etc. I don't think I am lazy lol. Nurse says to up my heart beat till breathless, so will be getting my push bike out and doing some hills. Hubby says he will by us a rowing machine. as we can store that in the garage, and with a teenage son who is sport mad, and a daughter at uni who is miss fitness, it will get plenty of use.