Before the coronavirus pandemic, my workplace held annual on-site biometric screenings. A team of doctors would test an employee’s blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), oxygen capacity, and cholesterol levels.
After one screening some years ago, my reaction to my results could’ve rivaled something out of a horror film. How so? Even after “flushing out my system” the night before, my overall cholesterol score was shocking. Why? To explain, it’s important to know what exactly is cholesterol. I’ll give my score afterwards.
Cholesterol is a yellow, waxy substance in all parts of the body, and it comes from two sources: the body itself and diet. Family genetics have a role in cholesterol production as well.
There are two parts to a total cholesterol score. One part is HDL — High-Density Lipoprotein — or good cholesterol. A high HDL level reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. The other part is LDL — Low-Density Lipoprotein — or bad cholesterol. A high LDL level increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a buildup of LDL cholesterol, plaque, constricts blood vessels. When blood can’t reach the heart, it’s what triggers a heart attack.
The CDC says a normal overall score is less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). A nominal HDL level is equal to or greater than 60 mg/dL. An acceptable LDL number is less than 100 mg/dL. To my dismay, my LDL level was 126 mg/dL. As a result, it drove me to reassess my diet. I went home and reviewed the nutrition labels of my favorite foods. Once again, my scream would’ve made a horror movie director proud.
Many of my meals contained high amounts of cholesterol and saturated fat. Also, it didn’t help that I ate heavy dinners shortly before bedtime. It’s recommended to consume less than 300 mg/dL a day. Just one of my go-to meals had 250 mg/dL, slightly over 80% of the suggested daily intake. Compounding my unwise food choices, I exercised very little, if at all.
Preparing for bed one night, I read from 2 Corinthians 6. Here, the Apostle Paul spoke of the battles he faced during his missionary journeys. Additionally, he advised against entering into relationships with those who choose to live in defiance to God and warned against idol worship. He cautioned in verse 16, “And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: ‘I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be My people.’”
I parked for a while on the phrase “the temple of living God.” He lives in me. He cares about my spirit, my mind, and my body. That led me to 3 John 1:2 which says, “Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.”
My bad eating habits and failure to exercise regularly exposed my sin of selfishness towards God. There’s a saying my life is God’s gift to me. What I do with my life is my gift to God. Likewise, I showed a lack of consideration for my family for whom I could be a burden — my daughter, especially — though I know they wouldn’t think so.
One of the marks of a Christian — a follower of Christ — is selflessness. Of the Savior, the Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 2:3-4, “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”
Furthermore, Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 4:8, “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” In the still of the night — cue the song, hehe — I decided my zeal for physical health should match my passion for spiritual fitness. Besides, how can I carry out what God wants if my body can’t meet what those goals require? I asked God for forgiveness and for the will to do better.
Therefore, I chose to be a part of the answer to my prayer. I met with my primary care doctor, and we formed a game plan. For the next few months, I played the iconic theme from the “Rocky” film series in my head and made significant changes to my diet. I incorporated foods high in protein and fiber and low in cholesterol and saturated fat, capping off eating by 7:30 pm.
Equally important, I began strength training and light cardiovascular exercise four times a week. May I say, my efforts paid off. My LDL score plummeted over 40 points, and it has remained well below the borderline threshold ever since. I’m a much healthier “me.” Check out my pictures on the home, contact, and subscribe pages of my website, and see!
Airplane travelers are familiar with the flight attendant’s safety demonstration before takeoff. In an emergency, the attendant stresses to take care of yourself first. Then, you can help others.
There are people who love you and want you around for a long, long time. Grant them their wish. Love yourself. Love your whole self.
Sources:
“Getting Your Cholesterol Checked” — https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/cholesterol_screening.htm
“LDL and HDL Cholesterol: ‘Bad’ and ‘Good’ Cholesterol” — https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/ldl_hdl.htm
“Understanding Cholesterol Numbers” — https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/guide/understanding-numbers
“Cholesterol Content of Foods” — https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/cholesterol-content-of-foods
