I starting my weight loss in August of 2010 and I had blood tests done then... Seven months and 60 pounds later, I'm a bit over half way and I had blood tests done again. Just to see if there's a change. The results are in...

CHOLESTEROL (supposed to be < 239): 8/2010 = 182, 2/2011 = 146
HDL (good cholestrol, suppoesd to be >45): 8/2010 = 29, 2/2011 = 33
LDL (bad cholesterol, supposed to be < 129): 8/2010 = 125, 2/2011 = 97
TRIGLYCERIDE (supposed to be <199) 8/2010 = 141, 2/2011 = 82

So freaking happy!!! Major improvements in 3 of 4 areas in just 7 months of eating healthier!!! HDL not much change, but exercise is suppose to help that. I'm getting ready to start seriously incorporating exercise. I'll retest in another 6 months or so. It'll be interesting to see if the exercise has an effect on the HDL. My own little science experiment!

And a second little NSV: I was able to sit with my knees drawn up tight and my arms wrapped around my legs for the first time in a LONG time! And it was totally comfortable! It's the little things, right!?!

Such excellent news - you must be thrilled!! Great to see such a tangible payoff so quickly.

Wow, that's a HUGE deal! Congrats to you!

Great news, I am also trying to lower my cholesterol to below 200. It was 206 and I think the loss of a few pounds makes a big difference. Congrats/.

Congrats! If you want help with your HDL, eat more Omega 3's and try foods like Nuts, loaded with everything perfect, protein, omegas, fiber, healthy fats to raise those HDL's! I promise it will work!

The little things can be the biggest things sometimes!!!

Thanks guys! I'm pretty flippin' pleased! It's nice to be able to share with peeps and not look like a freak!

w00t! Go you!

Great work!!

Great job! It must feel fantastic that you have already made such a huge improvement in those metrics. And I love the idea of doing your own science experiment to see how the exercise thing is working out! I hope that you will find the trend continues.

Those are excellent results! Congrats and you ROCK!

RE: HDL results are really really good. Your current ratio of LDL to HDL is currently .34

If you had the recommended LDL 129 and HDL 45 your ratio would be .34

The goal is to keep the ratio above 0.3, with the ideal HDL/LDL ratio being above 0.4.

Your previous ratio was .23


That is a drastic improvement! WOW!!! Again...

Thanks DixCChix -- That totally makes sense and makes me feel better! Not that there isn't still room for improvement, but I hadn't thought of it that way...