Running cured my ____(fill in the blank) (Read 1174 times)

Elevated cholesterol and poor cholesterol ratio (low HDL or "good cholesterol"). Four years ago, my cholesterol was 263 with a ratio (total cholesterol over HDL) of 6.0. (healthy targets are 200 with a ratio of 5 or less) Now it's at 146 with a ratio of 3.3. It isn't all running - a lower-fat diet and a low dose of Lipitor has helped reduce the LDL ("bad cholesterol"). However, running has helped in the HDL department. I now have HDL readings in the mid-to-high 40s where they were in the 30s beforehand.

Hangover. Many times, actually.

Take your pick.... stress fatness laziness lack of motivation lack of energy risk of heart problems lack of self-confidence non-athleticism

3.5 years ago my bloodwork #s: Overall Cholesterol: 154 HDL: 42 LDL: 91 Triglycerides: 107 1 year ago: Cholesterol: 154 (unchanged, heh) HDL: 70 LDL: 77 Tris: 36 BP generally ~ 100/60 I'd be curious to see what my #s look like now. I'm not sure they can get much better than they were a year ago...and I am still ~20#s over what is considered ideal weight for my height and build. As far as what running has cured...hmmm...I don't think I had set very high goals for myself in terms of fitness pre-running. I still don't *look* fit, but I can outrun probably at least 90% of my peers, even at my slow pace.

eating poorly. The more I run, the healthier I want to eat.

Yes! How weird is this?! It's like a paradox. The more exercise you do, the better you eat, the less exercise you NEED to do, but still want to run! But ditto is also true: the worse you eat, the less you want to run, the worse you eat..etc.

my tobacco addiction. Smoke free for almost a year.

From thinking I can't run....

Homosexuality. Now I'm out looking for kitty like every other red-blooded American male.

Huh??????