My triglyceride levels are something like "36." My husband's are something like "a million."
"A million" is, apparently, very bad. You can sort of think of his blood as more sludge than liquid - and the stuff dissolved in his blood that makes it thick - is sugar - because he has a SERIOUS chocolate problem.
He's trying to get it under control. This morning he bragged, "Guess what I had for breakfast? Two english muffins and some grapes."
"Um," I paused, trying to find a way to be supportive. Then, giving up, continued, "You know english muffins are bread, and bread is all carbs - which is essentially sugar. And. Grapes. Are. Worse."
"You can't give up fruit!" he objected.
"It's the FIRST thing they tell you to give up when you diet!" I countered. "It's ALL sugar!"
"I'm trying!" he said, "You don't have to tell me what a mistake I made."
"Ok," I sighed, cursing his metabolism and 6'4" frame and frustrated that I have known this since I was 13 but he is just learning it now.
"It would be better to have 1 english muffin with a hard boiled egg and slice of ham." I offered, trying to be supportive.
"Ok." he said.
"Now that football is over for the boys I'm going to try to do a better job of planning meals." I told him. "I want to drop this Halloween candy I found." I added.
4 hours later I walked into the kitchen to find a loaf of italian bread. I cut off a thick chunk, slathered it with butter and went out to the garage to talk to my husband.
"What part of 'bread is 100% sugar' did you not understand?" I asked. "And what part of 'I am starting a diet today?'"
"I can't give up all carbs." he argued.
"I know " I agreed, taking a bite. "But you didn't have to buy a loaf of bread that will go bad in 24 hours if we don't finish it."
"The kids will help." he said.
I took another bite. "There may not be any left." I laughed and walked out.
That right there is solid will power.
Posted by: Jim W. | November 04, 2011 at 03:18 PM
You? Are an awesome mom. Look at you eating that whole loaf of bread to save your kids from all those bad carbs and sugar. That is Exactly why I ate that entire bag of resse cups during the kid's nap today. It'd have been bad parenting not to.
Posted by: Domesticated Gal | November 04, 2011 at 03:24 PM
Ha! I made cookies last night and hubs polished them off for breakfast... when I gave him a half-hearted hard time about it, his reply was "If you're not happy about the Cookies- it might be the las ttime I try to Help..." Help away... :D
Posted by: Brooke | November 05, 2011 at 12:37 AM
OMG! I made cookies too last night and finished them for breakfast as well! That was after I gave my fiance the death stare and told him if he finished them after I went to bed he would be sorry. Life is too stressful to give up carbs/sugar!!!
Posted by: Mom Gone Mad | November 05, 2011 at 01:30 AM
Would he be interested in a test? (men and competition) Just have him go have his blood work done and then give himself 6 weeks with only protein and non-starchy vegetables. Have the test again. My cholesterol dropped 75 points when I did this. Motivation?
Posted by: Mary | November 05, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Fruit isn't all bad when dieting. It depends on what you're trading it for. If you're eating an apple or a cup of grapes instead of a small pile of cookies, you're definitely ahead. Besides having less calories and fat, fruit tends to be filled with water and fiber which helps make you feel full.
Of course, as with anything, moderation is key. If you're eating a dozen bananas for a snack, you're probably not helping your body.
Posted by: TechyDad | November 06, 2011 at 07:09 PM
When I lost my weight (120-ish pounds, and then gained about 80 back, and now I'm pretty stagnant at 240, but putting on muscle like crazy, so my clothes are shrinking), grapes (and cycling) were my salvation.
Now, I run . . . a lot (my blood pressure is moderately high, but my cholesterol is quite good, and my triglycerides are, like you, safely in the double digits), and really try to let my cravings tell me what I need to eat. Slowly and in moderation.
Funny how "wine" is always wanted...
Posted by: John | November 07, 2011 at 08:04 AM
When I lost my weight (120-ish pounds, and then gained about 80 back, and now I'm pretty stagnant at 240, but putting on muscle like crazy, so my clothes are shrinking), grapes (and cycling) were my salvation.
Posted by: Cheap Air Jordan | December 01, 2011 at 03:30 AM
Would he be interested in a test? (men and competition) Just have him go have his blood work done and then give himself 6 weeks with only protein and non-starchy vegetables.
Posted by: Air Max 2009 | December 05, 2011 at 02:09 AM