After living in Chicago for nearly four years, I’ve enjoyed many of the city’s finest foods, including the ever-popular deep dish pizza and Wrigley Field’s famous hot dogs. Sometimes I think these foods lure tourists more than the main attractions (e.g., Sears, now Willis, Tower, Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier)
Along with these city favorites, I found myself more and more dependent on quick and easy foods that met my schedule’s needs rather than my body’s needs. Yes, that’s right! I frequented every “healthy” take-out restaurant or deli and purchased every “healthy” processed food you could imagine from the grocery store.
It wasn’t until last year that I learned my cholesterol levels were climbing closer and closer to the “hey, maybe you should keep a watchful eye on this” range, which actually translates into the “borderline-high risk” range. My overall cholesterol reached 202 mg/dL (the optimal range is between 125-200 mg/dL). This was alarming, since high cholesterol is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease (the leading cause of death) and strokes, AND I still have my whole life ahead of me. This was unacceptable!
I instantly thought, “What? How can this be?” I felt good, I didn’t have any symptoms and I was exercising on a regular basis?!? However, my body was silently having negative reactions to this so-called “healthy” diet and lifestyle. This wake-up call along with my passion for nutrition led me on a self-healing journey.
Last New Year’s, I put myself on my own Brumberry program that was customized to my lifestyle. I started making tiny, step-by step changes to my diet, which included more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and less animal products and processed/artificial foods. Additionally, I engaged in regular physical activities and I had an incredible support system with my husband being at the very top of the list.
In just one year, I significantly improved my cholesterol levels, and let me tell you…I felt like I had won the lottery! Literally, I was running around my house screaming with excitement! My overall cholesterol dropped from 202 mg/dL to 168 mg/dL!!! Additionally, my LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides (blood fats) plummeted, while my HDL (good cholesterol) increased to a very healthy level. I would also like to point out that these changes were not accompanied with medication. If I can do it, anyone can do it!
Do you have high cholesterol? Have you been challenged with finding a healthy, sustainable diet? Do you need the education, resources and tools to improve your health?
Hi Natalie,
I’m glad you found out early in your life about your cholesterol and took action.
I have really enjoyed your newsletter. I wish you much success and know this will touch many peoples lives. Hopefully, they will try your suggestions that really do work.
I also found out my cholesterol was up to 200 and took action quickly. The next year it was 178, then the next year it was 168. Diet and exercise is the secret. The only difference is I’m 62 years old. Sandy