I’m panting now as I write. I just finished dropping my son off at school and literally climbed 5 floors to reach our unit. I’ve been doing this exercise for almost two weeks now, which started immediately the day after I learned that my total cholesterol, triglyceride, and bad cholesterol (LDL) levels are high.

According to my cardiologist, I can lower my triglyceride level if I reduce my rice intake. Because I’m an obedient patient, I stopped eating rice for breakfast and substituted two slices of bread instead. I have also refrained from getting a second helping of rice during lunch and dinner. That’s not a very easy feat if you ask me because I’m a huge rice fan! I eat rice like there’s no tomorrow!

What I found surprising was my bad cholesterol level. You see back in 2007, I was made to undergo similar blood chemistry tests, and my bad cholesterol then was worse than my latest result. Since then, I stopped serving beef dishes on our kitchen table, save for canned corned beef every now and then. I also stopped feeding myself hamburger and French fries to put my bad cholesterol levels back on track. I never stopped doing those things from 2007 to the present, so why, oh why, are my LDL levels still high?

I can only surmise that my humongous appetite for rice has a lot to do with my increased LDL levels. That has made me gain a few pounds, too, so I think I need to read some weight loss supplement reviews after I’m done with this post. For the meantime, I’ll just continue what I started, that is exercising every day, decreasing my rice intake, and taking cholesterol-lowering medication for one month, as prescribed by my doctor.

April last year, my blood tests showed a very high level of bad cholesterol. Tsk…tsk…So I was given medication for one month and a cholesterol-lowering diet guide, which I followed to the hilt. And I vowed I’d lower that amount with strict discipline and determination, which I did. And yes, I aced my second round of blood tests. But since I was late again for this particular appointment with my doctor--a good one month (or is it two?) has passed since my scheduled visit with him--he said he needed to see how my cholesterol level is faring with the absence of medication. And so he gave me another request for another series of blood tests, which I was supposed to have completed in January of this year, but I still have not done until now. It’s the holidays, for God’s sake! I still might have remnants of all the fat-laden foods I ate last Christmas and New Year had I went for those tests in January. Is that cheating or what? I was actually kind of complacent, too, after having received a very good 2D-echo result on that same visit with my good doctor. Not to worry, doc, I’m maintaining my fish-centered diet, with very few binging on the side. I’ve actually become more careful now with the food I eat, and that has a lot to do with being a mom. I have to be healthy for my son, even if that means sacrificing some of my gastronomic cravings.

I have decided to consult a cardiologist last April due to persistent chest pains. My ECG test, blood pressure and physical examination were all fine. What I had actually was muscle pain probably caused by carrying my then just 9-month-old baby boy who’s growing up pretty fast and heavy.

Since I was also quite concerned about my weight – I seemed to be losing a pound each month for the past two or three consecutive months then – I insisted to have a series of blood tests, which I had done only a month after this cardio consult.

I was only able to see the results last September – because that’s my only free time; I’ve been really busy with work and the baby – by paying my cardiologist a second visit. The good thing is I’m not diabetic. I initially feared I had problems with my blood sugar. I still need to be extra careful, though, about my sugar intake because my mom is a confirmed diabetic. Better be safe than sorry.

The alarming finding from my blood tests was actually this: my LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or bad cholesterol level was alarmingly high. From a normal range of 0-100, mine was 170. Holy cow! I mean, blame it on the cara beef.

You see, we’ve changed our family’s diet from pork-centered to cow-centered late last year on the pretext that cows are cleaner, ergo, safer and healthier to eat than those infamous pigs. What’s worst, we serve beef on the table three or four times a week, which leaves little room for fish and veggies. So more beef equals more grease, err…more bad cholesterol equals more risk of stroke and heart disease. Yikes! I’m too young for those.

So, along with the one-month cholesterol-lowering medication, I have embarked on a penitence, red meat-fasting, that is, to the extremes. I meant to pass my next round of blood tests with flying colors. I’m going to ace it this time. And I’m going to show my doctor how good a patient I am. Here’s a list of my achievements so far.

1. I have not had my fill of Jollibee cheese melt burger (good thing, this product is now phased out) and large fries for three, going four, weeks now. Come to think of it, I’ve been really fond of this combo meal for quite some time now. I think this is also a major contributor to my elevated LDL level. Thanks, but no thanks. I’m better off without you, at least for the time being.

2. I have been consuming fish after fish after fish I might soon have gills and fins appearing. FYI: Bangus belly, which I’m very fond of, is actually a good source of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or good cholesterol, so I’m taking my sweet time gorging one belly after another as milkfish is actually my all-time favorite. I don’t really mind having paksiw na bangus three to four times a week. Yummy!

3. I have successfully avoided beef having only had one full serving of it in almost a month now. I also realized we’ve been spending more on food that does more harm than good. We’ve actually cut down on market spending because I somehow altered the whole family’s diet too, but not as extremely as I did mine. The whole family’s weekly menu now consists of one beef day, one pork day, one chicken day, and four seafoods day. There are always veggies included in the menu, by the way.

Am I being too hard on myself or what? Nah, I’m just being totally subservient to my doctor. I hope my hard work pays off. By the way, I had one sinful treat of grilled sisig last Sunday. Can’t say no to the husband. I hope that does not count.