kjmillig

...now I'm scared. Just had blood work and urinalysis done because of recurring gout flareups. The report came back showing very high uric acid, very high triglycerides, high cholesterol, slightly high SGOT, and very high SGPT. He put me on a cholesterol lowering med in addition to the high blood pressure meds I've been on since my late 20s/early 30s when I was in pretty good shape. I've never consumed alcohol, never smoked, never had hepatitis or diabetes, and don't have a family history of either one. I'm 48, 5' 9", and just weighed in at 218 lbs. The thought of a stroke or heart attack scares the crap out of me. Changing eating and exercise habits is going to be a real challenge!! I read posts here for inspiration because I know many of you have gone through some very tough times, far worse than mine. Thanks.

Dad 2 3

Were you fasting when they drew the labs? Triglycerides can be falsely high if you had not been fasting for 8-12 hrs.

At any rate, there is no time like the present to start decreasing all of those numbers!

I'm 39, 5' 9", and started at 242 lbs in May 2012. Currently at 193. I work in a cardiac cath lab and see people who have multiple issues from obesity and just generally not taking care of themselves. The worst is seeing a young person in their 40's die from a heart attack!!! It took me working there for the light bulb to flick on for me. I was probably only a few years from being on the cardiac cath lab table myself and that's what scared me. The thought of leaving my wife and 3 kids prematurely is a heart breaking thought.

Keep pedaling!!

look566 rider

Sorry to hear your issues.

Research the causes of your issues more. A wholesale change in your dietary intake may be in order to help your situation. I do believe there are some people who's diet does not fit their bodies physiology. Sometimes it is just genetic bad luck (like me).

I believe a Personal Positive Attitude can help also. So keep your chin up!

I had a heart attack at 49. I never smoked, quit drinking at 37, worked out three times a week, road bikes and ate a decent diet. Yet still had the heart attack at 49. Due to my family background. It was "mild" as heart attacks go. I have ridden a couple century rides since my attack.

My dad passed at 32 from a major heart attack. Both of his brothers had heart issues and multiple bypass surgeries.

Good Luck,

Mike

goldfinch

Do what you need to do, change your lifestyle and take the medications that may help. Once you know you are doing what you need to do you can let go of the fear as it is no longer productive. To deal with fear I find it helpful to think of my mind as having many rooms. I put the fear in one of the rooms and close the door. Maybe I visit it briefly once in a while, but for the most part the door stays closed.

Bluish Green

You can do it. I've had a similar wake-up call and have made life changes that have gotten things under control and in many ways better than before. Make concrete changes that are liveable and repeatable day after day. Change your life and do it.

Set an exercise goal that you can track and that pushes you to reach it. If you like cycling, maybe 200 miles a month? If you have any disposeable income, put a little of it to work enabling you by buying cold-weather or rain gear so you can get out there no matter what the weather. Find a way to make it repeatable. When I first started, I started with the treadmill at the gym. Wow, how I hated every single thing about the gym and the treadmill! Then I found bicycle commuting and have not looked back. I will take a cold, rainy ride in traffic over the boring torture that is the gym, every day. You should find something that makes you want to do it if you can.

Find an eating change that is also concrete and repeatable. For me, it was total elimination of the top half dozen worst actors in my diet and addition of a few better ones. For many other people, it is portion control, moderation, and/or other approaches. Find what works for you and don't look back.

Good luck, you can do it.

Pamestique 

I am 62, 5'8" and let's just say I weigh more than you (by quite a number of pounds)... my BP is normal, I have low numbers on everything all around... I am more healthy than most 62 year olds... although low weight is a good health factor its not the only factor... lifestyle, how you deal with stress, what you eat (not just the fatty foods but your salt and heavy proteins which causes gout) and exercise seem to be the more important factors. I exercise alot considering my size but I believe that is the single number one reason I enjoy good health. Also I have learn to deal with stress... if you health plan offers any sort of stress managament classes, take them. Obviously if you have been taking BP meds since your 20/30's you have alot of other issues to deal with. Look at your diet - salty foods, sodas (even diet), excess caffeine all need to go... really you aren't that fat... but I assume you have alot of stress going on...

whitenhiemer

Don't let it get you down. You aren't beyond repair. I was 388 lbs when I started my weightloss journey. Getting active is the first small step, the eating right is your next huge hurdle. Get in touch with a nutritionist and work out a plan. Keep in mind that this isn't an overnight change and make lots of short term goals. Don't let it get the best of you.