Tony S.

Three months ago, one of my best friends, Tony, came to me with a problem. At 32 years old, he was presented with a cholesterol count just under 300. His doctor gave him 3 months to drastically change his lifestyle, or risk being given a lifetime prescription for cholesterol medication.

My friend was a high school athlete, and then a Marine. When his time as a Marine was up, a variety of active jobs followed. Despite this, he slowly stopped being as active as he was as a teen and early adult, and started eating less and less healthy. As a result, he put on “bad” weight, and therefore became even less active.

However, he was determined to avoid medication at such a young age. Over the last 3 months, he has completely redefined his diet plan. While he still leaves room for the occasional dessert, he centers his meals around lean meats, poultry, and fish. In addition, he has dedicated himself to 3-4 trips to the gym per week. As a result, he has dropped 35 pounds to date, and is still losing weight! Yesterday, he received a call from his doctor. She let him know that his cholesterol count was down to 155! Not only does he not need medicine, but it is actually at a healthy level now!

This example shows that anyone can go from being healthy to teetering on the edge of medication, regardless of age or past activities. It also shows how dramatically one can change their lifestyle for the better if the effort is there!

  • Tip of the Month

    January 2012

    Smart Starbucks and Steakhouse Choices

    Starbucks Choices
    • Peppermint Choc Mocha- 520cals, 20g fat
    • Pumpkin Frappuccino- 420cals, 13g fat
    • Flavored Latte- 360clas, 16g fat
    • Latte- 220cals, 15g fat
    • Coffee w/cream and sugar 180 calories
    • Cappuccino- 120cals, 4g fat
    • Coffee w/sugar 90 calories
    • Coffee w/cream 90 calories
    • Coffee w/whole milk 60 calories
    • Coffee w/skim milk 30-50 calories

    Order a coffee with cream and sugar every work day?  Add 900 calories per week to your diet.  That is over 13 pounds in one year.

    Enjoy a cappuccino every day instead, and you save 300 calories per week, and cut 4 pounds per year from the above diet.

    Go to coffee with skim milk and Splenda?  Now you are only adding 250 calories per week, and under 4 pounds per year in coffee weight.

    Enjoy a flavored frappucino or latte once per week?  That could add up to 26,000 calories, and another 7.5 pounds per year.

    Just your coffee could account for 20 pounds of caloric intake annually!

    Steakhouse Choices
    • Caesars Salad- 800cals
    • Chopped Salad, 320cals
    • Spinach Salad, 170cals click here for more »

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  • Recipe of the Month

    January 2012

    Drink alcohol a little more wisely!

    Drink Choices
    • Eggnog, 350cals
    • White Russian, 260cals
    • Riesling, 160-200cals
    • Shot of liquor, 70-125cals
    • Tonic or Soda, 100cals
    • Winter Beer, 150-200cals
    • Beer, 150cals
    • Bloody Mary, 130cals
    • Wine, 120cals
    • Light Beer, 55-85cals
    • Champagne, 85cals
    Enjoy a small glass of eggnog and two gin and tonics, and you have drank 750 worthless calories.
    Or, start with some champagne, and enjoy two glasses of wine and you only have drank 330 calories, less than half of your first choices.