A year ago my LDL was 130 (HDL 73). That’s boderline high and my doc encouraged me to watch my diet. By April this year, my LDL was 114 (HDL 72) so he started me on Lovastatin in an effort to get it under 100. My LDL is down to 75 (HDL 75), a reduction more than 40% (just like it says on TV). You can exercise and eat right but if heredity is working against you, go with the drugs.

I have been working out regularly (3-5 times a week)for three years. I thought that milestone was coming up in August but I had ’em check my record at the fitness center and the madness started in June, 2001. I’ve already become something of a bore on the subject so I’ll stop here. But I feel great.

“Researchers analyzed swabs taken from 42 neckties worn by physicians and medical staff as well as 10 neckties from security staff at the medical center. The swabs were cultured on laboratory plates and analyzed for the growth of microorganisms. Of the 42 neckties belonging to the physicians and medical staff, 20 contained dangerous bacteria that can cause pneumonia, urinary tract infections, blood infections and other illnesses.”

With birthday #56 looming, I’m proud to report that I have never been in better physical condition. Ever. As a child, I wasn’t this fit. And I owe it all to very nice lady named Traci Booth. Yes, I have a personal trainer. I started working out with Traci more than two years ago. It’s my one great extravagance. No way I’d keep at this without our weekly sessions. If you have trouble sticking with an exercise program, here’s your answer.

I haven’t had a french fry or ham and eggs since August. In fact, I haven’t had any fried foods. My doc was concerned about my cholesterol level and had me try the DASH diet to bring it down. My “bad” cholesterol was 150 and he wants it under 100. Two months of fruits and veggies has brought it down to 130. So, no pills for now. I’m vain enough that this might be easier if I was trying to lose weight but I’m 160 pounds. I might actually kill someone for a Sonic chilli-cheese dog.

Without any fried food, as a matter of fact. The new diet is no great strain, at least in terms of what I don’t eat. I’m not up to the 30 pieces of fruit a day called for (maybe it’s eight) but I’ll get there. My desk is littered with bagels and trail mix and those little carrot nubby things.

That’s the name of my new cholesterol-lowering diet. It’s just a short walk to becoming a full-fledged vegetarian. The booklet says I should think of meat as a condiment rather than an entree. Can I give up Barb’s good burgers? I don’t know. With a few such exceptions, food is little more than fuel for me so I’m not really giving up much. Of the seven risk factors for heart attack, I have three. I’m over 50. I’m male. And my cholesterol is high. I’ll consider going trans-gender if I can’t stick to the new diet. Stay tuned.

“At 7:30 am I arrive from cataract surgery. At 8:15 they are done. The prep takes longer than the 7 minute operation where they put a suck out my old lens, put in a new one perfectly matched to my site — like a little internal contact lens — to give me 20/20 vision.” [Halley’s Comment]

I started working out with a trainer two years ago this month. My greatest extravagance and one with which I’m still a little uncomfortable. The lady is a sadist and quite willing to keep me doing crunches until I’m making pathetic little whimpering noises. But I’ve never felt better. I’m still a scrawny, middle-aged white guy but after 35 years at 155 pounds (6 feet), I’ve gained ten pounds of muscle mass. I view all this as my best investment. I’ll be able to do 100 push-ups while waiting for the OATS bus.