About a month ago, my doc told me my cholesterol was 243. Wow! Was I shocked because I'm generally a pretty healthy eater and I walk three times a week about 4 miles each time. So some changes needed to be made. (I'm in my late 60s.) Now I'm eating oatmeal for breakfast with some kind of berry and banana & skim milk. I'm eating tofu or peanut butter or turkey on whole wheat bread for lunch (cut out the cheese) and an apple. Snack on carrots and humus or yogurt and fruit slices. For dinner it is chicken, turkey or fish with brown rice, lentils or some kind of grain and two veggies plus a green salad. I cut down the ice cream with only one bowl in a month of light ice cream- couldn't give it up entirely.  And I've made the resolution to increase my excercise program. I have to do something in between walks- 30 min. with weights and aerobics. Doctor wants to recheck cholesterol in late January.  I'm also sprinkling flax seed on my oatmeal and on my salad. It's not bad. Any other suggestions?

I have also been told that my cholesterol was well over 250 but my doctor chose to put me on cholesterol lowing drugs. Well, I've tried 2 of them so far and I can't take either one because of severe muscle/joint pain that would bring to the point of crying. I am looking for a more natural way to lower my cholesterol now and you have very good suggestions. I will have to try some of them and some heart healthy recipies.

Hopefully you have seen a cholesterol specialist...eat good fats (walnuts or almonds, smart balance butter) along with your oatmeal and walking...  Do you know your fat limits? I have a limit of 12 grams of saturated fats (which I rarely get) and 40 grams of the good fat...  I have to really work on that!  Having angioplasty twice by the time I was 45 really made me aware of what I put in my body.  You need the help of a professional...  My cholestorol was 236 at the age of 41 when I had 3 blockages of 70, 75 and 100%...I am 111 pounds at 5' tall.  Talk to a cholesterol specialist and they will help you!  I'm still 111 at 47 years with my numbers at total  116... LDL...67...HDL...38 ...and tri's at 54.  But thats with Crestor and Zetia, diet and exercise.  Remember its a life style change!!!  You can do it!!!  Good luck!!!

Hi I am new to this forum, my name is Chriss, and I just love all the information I can receive on here!  My husband had a heatattack 1 year ago Dec.  And ever since then, I've been getting all kinds of info, on how to eat healthier, my son and I have lost weight, along with my husband, it's great!  I homemade cook so much more than I ever did before, I log onto, better homes and gardens  to get alot of reciepies, it's wonderful........

Just wanted to mention about the flax seed. I think I read once that people cannot disgest the whole seed and should use ground flax. You might want to check it out. Good luck.

Cassie, buy some Activ (no "e") at the grocery store.  It is about

$ and comes in little bottles.  It's near the yogurt section.

My cholesterol dropped to under 100 and my LDL to 55.  Also

my triglycerides went down to 160 and my HDL up to 51.  It is

like no other help.  The liquid Activ contains plant sterols.  Give

it a try...I know that you will love it!!!!!!!!!!!!  Phyllis Glickman

It's great all of the tips people are offering here.  What a supportive bunch of people.

Hi Cassie D:   Looks like your doing overything right to help your self get it down, and am sure the oatmeal and other items will help.  Especially the oatmeal.  The fiber eats the bad cholestrol right out of the arteries.  Ask Doc if  Lipitor is OK for you to take?  I take 80 mg per day and mine is down to less than 100.  Costly though.  I can't walk much because of PAD but could I walk I think I could get off the Lipitor.  I also have Hypertension that means more RX's too.   Best of luck in future.     Don

I just recently looked at the "eat better America.com and found the community. 

I'm 5'4"; 210#, high cholesterol; high blood pressure; take medication for both;

also, synthroid for thyroid.  My doctor says "you will never lose weight"; but I know if I did maybe I could get the "numbers down".  One foot is completely broken down; torn tendon, etc. and the other foot is going to be the same in the future and I have "boot" type braces I wear all the time, even in the house.  If they eventually do not help pain in the feet I'm looking at surgery.  I have a hip replacement.  Walking is difficult; from hips down all hurt so much.  The pool has been suggested, I don't care for the water and walked in it for several months, took swim lessons in my 60's hoping that would help - not a pound lost.  I tried Weight watchers; overeaters anonymous; I'm just too lazy and cheat with the food.  I've changed my eating a lot over the years, but, apparently I have blinders on because the scale doesn't move.  This is the highest weight I've ever been.  I don't want to be unable to enjoy life (sedentary); but, I'm convinced I cannot lose weight; I like food too much; and I feel it's HOPELESS.  I'm strong in principles and morals; yet, cannot be self-controlled with food.  Husband says - no, to surgery; says I can do it if I really try and if I really want to.  I think I do.  I've had *** cancer, I know obesity could contribute to cancers, heart.  Every night I tell myself, tomorrow I'll do it, tomorrow I'll eat healthier, etc.

But, I go to bed every night hating myself and know I'm a failure.

I know this is not a confidence, or supportive note; just wonder what the rest have done to finally get control of their food and body?

Have you tried a regimented type weight loss plan such as Weight Watchers or Tops?? Maybe this would be the way for you to go...

I guess if my doctor had told me I will never lost weight I would be very down about the idea...

Just decide to do something and try to stick with it..I love chocolate and try to not eat it..I have lost 8 #s so far..I am happy with my self for this..So yesterday I bought a bag of chocolate covered raisins..BAD BAD BAD...But I will keep trying to stay away from the chocolate and lose more weight as I have heart problems and high cholestral... 

I'm 27 years old and I just had a baby 2 months ago. I am overweight but I'm active everyday. (I never gained weight while pregnant) I was dianosed with Atrial Fibrillation in my 8th month of prenancy. I had my heart shocked 3 times while pregnant. My cardiolost strongly suggest that I lose weight. And do better for my heart. My cholesterol was 200 last time it was checked it. I eat oatmeal, cheerios, granola, fresh fruits and veggies, only very few sweets. Anyone want to suggest anything for me?

Hi, I'm not sure if your reply was directed at me, (pao), but, I'm replying anyway.

Yes, I went to Weight Watchers for several months, only 5# weight loss.

I've purchased so many weight loss books, my daughter says I could probably lose weight better if I carried them around.  However, I find all books; magazine articles; actually recommend pretty much the same advice ----eat fruits, vegetables, and exercise; portion control; low fat; etc.. 

I'm starting over again, trying to eat only when hungry, stop when I feel full, and do 30 min. of any exercise, daily.  So far, again, no weight loss --- but I'm not giving up.  I take several prescriptions, including for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, allergies; also, calcium with D, fish oil tablets, and multi-vitamin.  I also take thyroid med; cancer preventative tablet; and paxil.  I've had surgeries from head to toe; and have been told that is why I cannot lose weight, too.  Surgeries: sinus; tear duct; 1/2 thyroid removed; cancer/lumpectomy, chemo and radiation; emergency hysterectomy (fibroid tumor/bleeding); hip replacement; toenail removal; and pending is foot surgery.

Has anyone else reading this had a lot of medications and surgeries over the past years that cause more difficulty losing weight??  Did you finally lose it?  How? 

I ride bike or walk.  Walking is slow due to foot problems; but, I try to do either of these for 1/2 hour/daily.

Now am told I'm prediabetic.  I don't want to have that, too, so I'm trying to do even better eating and exercising. 

pao