On 12/27/12 I wrote about a client of mine who had received some unsettling results from his blood work during his annual physical exam. High LDL and VLDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, low thyroid, overweight, lack of focus and energy, sleeplessness, etc. He started on a program of high-intensity training (HIT), revamped his diet by adding leafy green salads most nights, getting more vitamin K2, eating smaller portions, and taking apple cider vinegar twice a day. The only medication he took was for low thyroid. I saw him yesterday-he proudly reported that he’d back to his doc and had some new blood work results to show me. Wow! His lipid panel (cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, triglycerides, and the all-important HDL:total cholesterol ratio) was so much better that if I hadn’t actually seen the results, I would have had a hard time believing him. He also reported he had lost > 10 pounds, and was sleeping better. The only test he didn’t repeat was the calcification test for his cardiac arteries, which he’ll do at a later date. He is ecstatic, and vows to stay with his lifestyle changes. Folks, it’s never to late to make positive changes to your own health. All it takes is the drive to want to get healthier. Three rules apply: 1) Exercise, and it has to make you sweat. Walking, running, biking, resistance training-whatever your mode, must be done vigorously, if you are to achieve the goal of better health. 2) Nutrition. You need to give a lot of thought to want you put in your mouth, period. I tell clients to shoot for the 80/20 rule. 80% of the time, eat as healthy as you can, 20% you can have what you want. 3) Be disciplined-aim for at least 5 days/week of exercise. It’s not an option, if you want health, biologically you don’t have a choice. Remember, good health is the greatest wealth.
Stay well, John R Blilie, M.S.