Seeking the balance between healthy and crazy

When I was first diagnosed with elevated Lp(a), my mind immediately shot to my brother Dave. He's the one that initially discovered it - at the age of 53, he is one of the healthiest people that I know. He eats well, works out religiously, and is the perfect model of health.

Then, suddenly, last July, he started feeling not so hot. Procedures were done, they discovered that he had artery blockages, he got an angioplasty and a pacemaker, and started on the road to recovery. Everyone was scratching their heads - what makes a healthy 53-year old man suddenly have heart problems? Thanks to his persistent doctor, they finally figured out that he has elevated Lp(a) and we were all advised to have our levels checked. And so, three days before Christmas, I found out that I have it too.

Since his diagnosis, he has really buckled down even more on his already stringent diet. The last time I saw him, I was amazed at his willpower and how he was able to turn away foods that make me weak in the knees. Now I realize how he feels - when the barrel of the Lp(a) gun is staring you in the face, you really want to eat better and exercise. Well, maybe not the exercise part, but you know what I mean.

Food has always been a big love of mine. I don't eat for comfort or when I'm stressed, but I truly enjoy good-tasting food. I kind of freaked out a little bit when I got the diagnosis - what did it mean? A life of eating bark?

What I did end up doing was contacting the hospital in town that has the best heart specialists and made an appointment with their outpatient nutrition center. The screwy part was that even with my diagnosis, my insurance would not cover the visit. How messed up is that? I decided that I really needed to make the appointment regardless of cost, so I made the call and ended up spending about an hour with the nutritionist.

Really, she set my mind at ease. We reviewed the do's and don'ts for overall healthy eating and she commended me for already having a basic knowledge about what I should be doing. But that's the thing - there's what I should be doing, and there's what I was doing!

The basic things I picked up from her -

Stay low-fat or fat-free with dairy products.
Eat healthy oils.
Eat at least 10 grams of soluble fiber a day.
Load up on fruits and veggies.
When I eat protein, stick with fish, skinless poultry, and lean pork or beef.
Only eat 6 oz. of meat or fish daily.
Avoid fried foods and sugary drinks.
Eat whole grains - try to avoid white flour.


Seems simple, right? Well, it was surprisingly easy. Honestly, the hardest thing for me has been giving up sugary drinks and avoiding fried foods. A typical Friday lunch for me would be wings with a huge Coke. No more! And honestly, I don't miss it at all.

I waited until January 2nd to start modifying my diet, and worked things in gradually. I figured it was better to do it that way than try to go cold turkey. And the results have really been amazing:

I've lost 10 pounds and never truly felt hungry.
My energy level is through the roof!
My skin is much clearer, including a nagging rash I'd had on my back for the past few years.


I still have slip-ups. The nutritionist told me that even she has a bad day every now and then. The key is to accept it, and move on without beating myself up.

Anyhow, one of the things I hope to do with this blog is to share my food finds, philosophies, and encourage you to step outside the box every now and then. I've tried things I've never tried before, I'm finding flavors that are knocking my socks off, and it's really awakened me.

A new beginning

Welcome to my newest venture, Building a Healthier Life!

Who am I? Well, I'm Liz - also known to my blogging friends as Builder Mama. I started blogging a few years back, chronicling my life as a 30-something mom and wife working in the construction industry. My blog involves a lot of cussing, bourbon, boobs, and general debauchery.

Last December, due to a string of events in my family, I was diagnosed with elevated Lp(a). This is a blood protein that acts like plaque in your arteries and if your levels are elevated, it is dangerous even if you have great cholesterol levels. In a nutshell, my chances of heart attack and stroke are elevated by something ridiculous like 65%.

There's nothing like a diagnosis like that to make you reassess your life. I've always been interested in fitness and nutrition, but now it has a whole other meaning in my life. I'm no longer on a diet - I'm in a lifestyle change.

Now I'd be a liar if I said this was easy. I hate working out. I love to cook but have a passion for cheese, fried foods, and chocolate that would make a nun blush. So this is a journey to find a middle ground that is healthy but doesn't involve eating dirt or pinecones. And also to learn how to balance family, work, and taking care of myself - which is a battle most people face every day.

I'm hoping that along the way, I can share what I learn with you - and I can learn from you as well. Don't worry - there will still be boobs and cussing and such. But there will also be recipes, fitness tips, and general lifestyle discussions. And I'm sure some recaps of the groaning around my dinner table as I present my latest concoction.

Thanks for joining me on my journey!