Coming Out

posted by Momo Fali on April 10, 2012

No, not that kind of coming out! If there is anything to be gleaned from watching Josh Duhamel movies, it is that I am completely heterosexual. Okay, that’s probably the only thing to be gleaned from watching Josh Duhamel movies. I digress.

Almost a year ago, I had some routine blood-work done that showed my “bad” cholesterol was in the 260’s. For all of you 20-something readers, that’s high. Also, it’s been nice having you read my blog.

Truth be told, I was eating horribly; lots of fried, high-fat food and hardly any fruits or vegetables. I thought I could bring the numbers down by changing my diet. When my doctor asked, “What are we going to do about this cholesterol?”

I said, “I’m going to lose some weight!”

I don’t know if you know this, but you can’t just say, “I’m going to lose some weight” and have the weight come off. I’m sorry to break that to you. As a matter of fact, if you take a full-time job that has you sitting at your desk for long hours and working a lot of overtime, you will actually gain weight. Yep. It’s true.

Starting last September I really did try to change my diet, and in January I started working out about six times per week. I was making real changes, because the cancer in my family lit a fire under my patootie. I’m 40 now. I use words like “cholesterol” in blog posts. It was time.

When I went back to my doctor for a blood test in early February, I was sure these changes would be reflected in my numbers. Were they ever! My cholesterol went UP to nearly 290. It was awesome to hear that; almost as awesome as jumping off a two-story building and landing on your kneecaps.

My doctor said, “You’re building plaque as we sit here” and gave me two options; either take a statin drug every day, for the rest of my life, or drastically (and without moderation) alter my diet. When I asked him what that meant he said, “You’d have to go vegan.”

As in, no more butter. Ever.

It took me exactly two seconds to agree to try it. I have long said that I could easily be a vegetarian and when I pictured what was happening inside my body, the change was easy. Have I craved a nice, cheesy pizza? Yes. Is the cheesy pizza worth heart disease? No. I also know it isn’t good to drink alcohol while taking statins and if you ask me whether I’d rather give up animal products or beer, well…it’s not really a question at all.

I’m 11 weeks in to this lifestyle change and if my numbers are low enough after my next blood test, I can go off the prescription. Also, if that happens you’ll see me walking around with my arms in the air, like Rocky, for about a week. I’ll be the one yelling, “I WIN!”

Of course, not everyone has to take such drastic measures; I’m just lucky like that. I made my family cheeseburgers last night. Tonight, they’re having pork roast; tomorrow, barbecued chicken. You get the idea.

I, however, eat a lot of this:

So there, I’ve come out with it. Unless I’m miraculously approved to once again become a carnivore, you can refer to me as a vegan. Or, Rocky. Either one.

    Comments

  • Colleen - Mommy Always Wins


    Well here’s hoping we can play “Eye of the Tiger” for you soon! 😉

  • flyfishchick


    whoa! an Overnight Vegan. I am impressed and intrigued. Do you lose weight more easily when you switch over? how do you feel? more energy? less energy? cravings? I too am turned off by the images of what some foods are doing to my insides but haven’t made such drastic healthy changes. I’d like to…so hard cooking for the family though

    hats off to you!

    • Momo Fali


      I definitely have more energy. No doubt about it. My skin is clearer and I really haven’t had any cravings. Maybe because animal products simply aren’t an option for me any more.

      As for cooking for the family…I usually eat whatever they are eating as a side dish as my main meal. For instance, last night they had cheeseburgers with onions and mushrooms and a big salad on the side. I ate the salad as my main dish with the onions and mushrooms on the side. I make whole wheat pasta with tomato sauce, then add their meat after I serve myself. Same with stir-fry and Mexican.

  • Marianne


    I went through the same thing! My number was 290! I was shocked, and gave up animal fat that day – 2 yrs. ago. I lost 13 lbs and got my number down to 198. In the past 6 months, I’m slipping and have gained a few pounds back. But I don’t miss meat or sweets. You DO adjust. And I do have treats ONCE in a while. So glad you’ve changed early in your life. I was 50 when I learned. Hang in there! Thanks for sharing!

  • Vicki


    Yeah! You go girl! Thanks for being so honest about this topic. It certainly isn’t easy. Thanks why LOVE reading your blog Diane.

  • Vicki


    Um that would be… That is why I love reading your blog. Wish we could edit comments. Duh!

  • Tara R.


    Good for you sticking with the new diet. Now, whenever I stop by, I’ll hum the Rocky theme for you.

  • burghbaby


    I’ve been a vegetarian for 22 years (GET OFF MY LAWN, WHIPPERSNAPPERS!) and it really isn’t hard at all. Vegan, however, is a bit hardcore. Cheeeeeeeese! Delicious cheeeeeeese! Not that I wouldn’t also give up cheese in your situation, but I would have to cry about it. Good luck and I hope you get to go off the meds soon!

  • Always Home and Uncool


    I feel much better about my 209 total now.

    Oatmeal and almond milk, and fish oil pills. Beats Lipitor every time. Good health, Mo!

  • meleah rebeccah


    “It was awesome to hear that; almost as awesome as jumping off a two-story building and landing on your kneecaps.”

    That made me laugh. And if it makes you feel any better, my cholesterol is 320.

    “No more butter. Ever.”

    Um… I can’t!

    But GOOD FOR YOU! And congrats on sticking with the new diet. You’re awesomeness.

  • Miss Britt


    I don’t know what’s more impressive – that you went vegan, or that you still cook meat for other people! No way I could cook meat I wasn’t going to eat.

  • Weather Anchor Mama


    My hubby also has a cholesterol. He worked out and changed his diet and it help to lower it. I think it’s great that you’re going vegan. I’m not, but I am gluten free (or it least I try to be. hehe). It’s all about baby steps.

  • Sandy


    Wow, reading that was like reliving the last two months of my life, I told was told I have high numbers and I chose to Vegan. It has been alot easier than it sounds. I started with taking 3 main meals I already cook that are vegan (salad, homemade stir fri rice, etc) and then altering 3 more meals to be vegan (think soy products) Well good luck.

  • AlisonH


    Cookbooks: anything by Crescent Dragonwagon. She says she changed her name to that as an idealistic 16-year-old of the ’60’s and never changed it back. Not all her recipes are vegan, but they are vegetarian and everything I or my foodie daughters have ever made of hers has been wonderful.

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