I’ve written before that I am not a believer in New Year’s Resolutions.  I am a believer in change, but like many others, I struggle with sustaining it.  I can go days, weeks, sometimes months, but I often relapse back to the point that it feels like I made no change it all.

What is a better time for reflection and change is Ramadan.  It’s a literal attempt to force you to examine what is of most importance, to have a greater appreciation for what you eat and how much you eat, and to understand the frailty of the human body.

Every year I emerge from Ramadan both worn down but refreshed, with a more positive outlook and energy.

Every year I emerge from Ramadan with a desire to better control my eating and be healthy.

Nowhere do I struggle with this more than with my not-so-secret addiction — desserts.

What, you think I was going to admit to a heroin addiction?

This is Part I in a three-part series.  Read Part II and Part III.

Darth Candy

My dessert addiction is really more of a continuous sugar craving that I primarily satisfy with desserts.

In a pinch I’ll grab a handful of candy, which unfortunately is frequently accessible at work.  When out for ice cream, even if not hungry, I’ll get two scoops instead of one.  If I wander into the physician’s lounge at our hospital (which does not serve gourmet food) I end grabbing a cookie even if I only wanted soup.

My constant desire for desserts/candy is a running joke to my co-workers, and a source of consternation to my wife, who intermittently tries to have me eat healthier (she even bought me a subscription snack service once).

I stopped purchasing sweets for the home years ago for this reason, but since I’m only one of five members of the household, they still manage to sneak their way in sometimes.

As with many people, it’s often far more difficult to eat healthy at work than at home.

Several years ago a good friend gave me a candy bowl in honor of receiving my own office — after spending three years sitting 2 feet away from me sharing an office during our fellowship, he became well acquainted with my snack habits.

So he delivered me Darth Candy, who has brought me great enjoyment while also helping my descent to the Dark Side.

Much like Luke and his father, I have had a love-hate relationship with Darth Candy.  I’ve gone through phases where I filled and ate from him constantly, and phases where I banished him from my office entirely.

When I have pregnant colleagues I often go out of my way to keep the jar filled.  I’ve even gone so far as to loan Darth to one of them and keep him filled in her office so I would not be tempted to eat from him.

Ultimately he keeps finding his way back, and he currently sits forlorn in a corner of my office with an empty bowl.

The Dark Side of Being Dark

Why does all this matter?  I’m not technically overweight — most people consider me slim or average build.  By BMI I’m technically fine (currently at 23.7).  However weight and BMI do not tell a complete picture.

I’m out-of-shape, often lapsing into bad eating habits, and have a cholesterol level that is not alarming but is in need of improving.

Many people struggle with weight issues and health issues far more serious than mine.  Many have to go to extremes to lose weight or avoid serious health complications.

I recognize that and do not want to become hyperbolic with my health concerns, but it’s important to remember you can’t evaluate most people’s health with a quick glance.  Plenty of people whose BMIs are much worse than mine are healthier than me.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with cholesterol or the numbers, here’s a brief overview.  Please note I am not a cardiologist (I’m a pediatrician) — if you want medical advice, go see your own doctor.

Cholesterol — found inside the fats in your body, a requirement to build cells and carry out functions.  There are multiple subtypes of cholesterol, and excess amounts of some types can build up in your blood vessels.  This is what causes heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes (usually).  The “total” amount of cholesterol should be under 200 for most people.

LDL (low-density lipoproteins) — the “bad” cholesterol, this is the one that builds up and causes problems.  Lower is generally better, under 100 is recommended.

HDL (high-density lipoproteins) — the “good” cholesterol, this one helps the body get rid of bad cholesterol by taking it back to the liver where it can be metabolized.  Higher is generally better, over 60 is really good.

Triglycerides — Another type of fat circulating in your body, lower is generally better, you usually want this under 150.

I am South Asian, which means I’m genetically at higher risk for problems for high cholesterol, and for having problems such as heart disease from higher cholesterol.

While my natural tan has many benefits and I’m blessed with above average height and a full head of hair (the latter of which my brothers cannot claim), everyone in my family lost the genetic lottery when it comes to cholesterol.

My Numbers

I’ve had my cholesterol periodically checked through insurance physical exams and routine preventive exams.  It’s never been high enough for my primary care physician to recommend treatment.  While the LDL is high (bad), the HDL is high (good), and I’m young-ish (good), so my overall risk for problems in the next decade are quite low.

However that hasn’t eliminated the concern, because if the numbers do not improve, then I would ultimately require medical treatment.  I’ve had at least one friend who is a cardiologist (also South Asian) recommend medication based on my numbers because of my genetic background.

My primary care physician is willing to treat me if I push the issue, but so far I’ve held off.  I just don’t want to be on medication yet, even if some sources make me think it’s inevitable.

Besides medication, what will improve the numbers? 

More exercise, more healthy food, less unhealthy food.  There are environmental and genetic limitations that mean we can’t all achieve the same cholesterol numbers by exercising/eating the same, but those are the things we have control over.

I’ve gone through several cycles of working on these variables over the last several years, sometimes with great results, sometimes without good results, sometimes with bad results.

I’m emerging from another Ramadan refresher and sorely in need of starting another cycle.  This time I decided to write about it to help keep me focused and motivated.

So next week (hopefully) I will share some numbers and history. I have tracked my weight periodically for several years, and will try to dig up my cholesterol numbers.

I’ll also be periodically providing updates on what I am doing to try to achieve better health and fitness going forward, and we’ll see how well I can maintain it and ultimately what happens.

This is Part I in a three-part series.  Read Part II and Part III.