I got my flu shot at work today and had a free cholesterol screening at the same time.

It seems my overall cholesterol is a bit high.  My overall cholesterol is at 205, which is above the 200 (or below) that is considered desirable for adults.

I guess I should have seen this coming.  I like to eat fried foods, I never exercise, and I don’t eat enough fruits or vegetables.  But it’s a bit of a wake-up call.  After all, I’m only 26 and if my habits are this unhealthy now, I imagine I’ll be a walking sack of heart attack in another couple of decades.

So, here’s to a renewed effort at a few cholesterol-lowering habits:

  • Making exercise a routine, either at the gym at EA or with Wii Fit or EA Active at home (or both!)
  • Eating more fiber, as well as a serving of fruit or vegetables each day
  • Eating more salmon or walnuts to try to boost my healthy cholesterol levels
  • Try and cut back on meat and egg consumption
  • As a corollary to all this, try to go to bed each day before midnight – this will help make time in the mornings for exercise as well as potentially eating something healthy

I’m not overly concerned, as I’m just above the cutoff for a healthy, desirable cholesterol level.  And, I am young.  I still have plenty of time to make the necessary adjustments.

Still, it was a bit unexpected and did fill me with both a sense of sadness and a tiny bit of dread.