Facing the facts-work harder

Friday was a day for facing reality.  The data was in.  As part of the BetterU Challenge a base line screening of cholesterol/triglycerides and blood sugar was conducted  on Jan. 5, 2012.  As I sat with Julie, the nurse practitioner at St Vincent Women's Hospital, I came face to face with the real truth.  We looked at my test results from September, 2011, and January 5, 2012  and saw very good improvement in both the good and bad cholesterol and blood sugar.  Although I have lost 47 pounds over the last year, walk a minimum of three miles five days a week, attend exercise classes three days a week, and have made a major life style change in eating healthy foods, the bad cholesterol has not improved to the point that it is in the normal range. Both my doctor and Julie said the same thing we hear on the television commercial, "you have tried exercise, and diet and the cholesterol is still not where it should be, it's time for medication".  It hurts because I thought I  could do it alone without medication. ( There go the tears again. Sorry Peggy!)

Again, I want to give a very special thank you to Julie.  Having a female nurse practitioner who explained the test results, listened to my question, offered sincere support and most important, raised my awareness and understanding of what is going on in my body, was a wonderful gift.  She was another blessing that will help move me forward on my journey.

Facing the facts is hard, but it's reality. As they say, "the truth will set you free" -   Free to make healthier choices and to work harder.

Renee