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Understanding the Impact of High Cholesterol

June 13, 2018 by
This post was sponsored by Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. Personal opinions and thoughts are my own.

 

I have many loved ones and friends with heart and cholesterol problems, some of whom take a statin medication to help manage their high cholesterol. That’s why I’m proud to be involved with Take Cholesterol to Heart, which encourages people with high cholesterol to talk more openly with their doctor and find the statin that works best for them. While being diagnosed with high cholesterol was hard to hear for my friends, finding a treatment plan that worked well for their individual needs gave them hope for living a healthy life!

High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States. High cholesterol can be deceiving because you can’t see or feel it like some other conditions, but if left untreated, can have serious consequences. Surprisingly, at least 50 percent of people taking a statin medication for high cholesterol stop taking it within a year of starting it, and often aren’t told by their doctor that there are multiple statin options available.

You all know that diabetes is another health issue I really care about. So I was surprised to learn that among patients with high cholesterol who have taken a statin, over 1 in 4 (27 percent) also have Type 2 diabetes, according to ACTION: The Statin Survey*, a recent survey of 5,000 Americans aged 45+ with high cholesterol. In fact, a quarter of the patients surveyed who have Type 2 diabetes acknowledged that they did not take a very active role by asking their healthcare provider any questions about the various statin options, and about 1 in 10 reported that they did not question their healthcare provider’s recommendation.

That’s why it’s important we meet with our doctor to discuss all of our options when looking to treat high cholesterol.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you talk openly with your doctor? You should! Don’t ever be afraid to speak up and discuss challenges you are having with your prescription medication. The ACTION survey found only 45 percent of current statin users say they communicate openly with their healthcare provider about challenges with their statin. Open communication helps doctors provide appropriate care for their patients.

To emphasize the importance of having the heart-health conversation with your doctor, join Take Cholesterol to Heart spokesperson Howie Mandel to help inspire others to speak up before they stop their statin. Take to heart the importance of not stopping your medication.

Where can you go to learn more? Visit TakeCholesteroltoHeart.com for more information on the risk factors of high cholesterol and tools and resources to help you talk to your doctor about finding the statin that’s right for you.

I am so proud to support this campaign and get more people talking to their doctors about high cholesterol and finding the treatment regimen that works best for them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. and should not be construed to constitute medical advice. My personal story and opinions are my own. I am not a medical professional and am not qualified to give medical advice. Please talk with your doctor about your individual medical situation.

*Harris Poll conducted ACTION: The Statin Survey (Understanding Patient Adherence and Concerns with Statins, and Medication Discussions with Physicians) online on behalf of Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. from July 7 to August 4, 2017, among 5,014 U.S. adults age 45 or older who had been diagnosed with high cholesterol and had used a statin to treat high cholesterol. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized

Advocating

May 30, 2018 by

I saw a lady today in line at Walmart and she was staring at me.  She did not look familiar to me so I was trying to remember if I know her through her kids that may know my kids.  Nothing came.  I was next in line and she came up and started the conversation with I remember you from when you were on the Dr OZ show.  Then she asked lot’s of questions ending with I hope I run into you again.  It was nice to run into this sweet lady and it brought back all kinds of great memories of when I was in New York and was on the Dr OZ show.  🙂

I was over at my sisters new home yesterday and she said a lady from church was over.  She said she asked the lady if she knew me and as my sister described me and said something about being a diabetes advocate the lady said oh of coarse I know your sister I met her at a health fair and I remember when she was on the Dr. OZ show.  LOL  I meet so many wonderful people as I travel and do health fairs and speak at so many different kinds of venues.  I love it!  Today these to things caused me to reflect on the past 9 years.  Boy have I come along way.  I love advocating for diabetes with even more passion for the cause the more people living with diabetes that I meet along the way both type 1 and type 2 I gain more passion for the cause.  The diabetes community is very near and dear to my heart and I really feel blessed to keep getting opportunities to share my journey. I posted a video and pic because many I met in Washington have not seen the clip from the Dr OZ show.

Most recently I was in Washington speaking at a Diabetes Educator conference.  I loved being around all of these great people that wanted to know more about my journey.  They daily help so many people living with diabetes.  I always include these amazing educators in our community.  They love their patients and want their patients to succeed.  I heard many say I love what I do and that they could tell that I love what I do.  Hearing that inspired me even more to keep giving to this wonderful community.

My son Mason since he was just a little boy use to ask if he could go to my speaking engagements, events. He said tell them I am your trainer, I help you remember to take your medication, anything so I can go with you.  Sneak me in the suite case.  Mom I really want to go!!  I would always say I am sorry Mason it’s just me going.  Maybe someday.  Well that someday came and we had a blast.  What a wonderful Mother-Son trip we had.  Mason has never seen me speak at a big big event so I was so touched when he said wow Mom you did great.  I was just so happy he got to come and fill my days with fun adventure, shopping, movies and temple visit and go karts.

 

Filed Under: Gallery, Uncategorized

National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day

April 30, 2018 by

Here we are in May!!  I love the month of May. Not only because it’s my Birthday more so because it’s spring!!  Everything is starting to turn green and beautiful! The days are starting to get longer and warmer.  I love to take long walks on these beautiful days!!

May 2nd is the American Diabetes Association’s annual National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day!!  

This day is a day to bring awareness to how we need to “Get Up and Get Moving”!!  It is actually dangerous for our bodies to have prolonged hours of sitting.  It is so important no matter what your job is that you take time to focus on moving throughout the day!!  Research has shown that  sitting for very long periods of time can increase the risk of many health complications.  The American Diabetes Association has recommended that we move around for three or more minutes and doing some type of light physical activity.  This can include walking, stretching or leg extensions every 30 min.  Exercise is so important and our bodies need to MOVE often!!

I love that every year thousands of businesses and organizations including myself download the ADA’s e- took kit to participate in this National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day.  I have spoken at events on this day and it’s so neat to see a office bring in a yoga or Zumba instructor so their employees can take breaks and do a 20 min class.  This movement has been an inspiration to me because many companies are stepping up and providing time for their employees to get in some movement during their work day.  Some companies are making it a day where they work a 6 hour day with breaks throughout the day for movement and then at the end of the day their is a organized walk.

Here are a few tips you can incorporate  more moving during your work day:

  • Eat your lunch with part of your lunch break then take a walk with the rest of your break.  I worked for a Dr. for 7 years and I always loved CA for it’s weather.  Pretty much year round I could take walks during my lunch break.  I did this for years.  I found a lost dog one day when I was out walking I turned it in to the pound and left my phone number just so I could know the dogs owner got their dog back.  The owner called me with joy in her voice with a big thank you for taking her lost dog to the pound.  She asked me if I lived close by and I said no but I work close by.  I told her I walk on my lunch break every day and the day I found her dog I was out walking on my break.  She asked me if she could pay me to walk her dog every day.  She shared that her and her spouse were gone so much and they just have not had time to walk her dog.  I thought about it and decided I would enjoy dog walking. I was walking anyway so I did not need to be paid.  This sweet dog became my friend and I walked him a good 2 years until I had my first child. I love sharing that story because who knew I would end up having a sweet dog to walk every day.
  • Get some stretching in throughout the day. Nothing feels better then a good stretch.
  • Set an alarm for every 30 minutes so you can stand , stretch or walk.
  • If you can get a exercise ball to sit on instead of a chair.  Some employers are providing these as options.  It will engage your muscles and is way better then sitting in a chair.
  • Walk instead of driving.  If you have any errands that are within walking distance walk!!
  • Park far away from the store.  Doing this will give you extra steps to get your walking in.
  • Learn and do chair exercises.  There are a ton of youtube videos that teach you how to do chair exercises.  This is a great way to move without even getting up.

These are just a few ideas. Most important is that your moving more sitting less each and every day!!

Filed Under: Fit Tips

Aloe Vita

April 5, 2018 by
Healthy Find-
My daughter originally introduced my family to Aloe Vita ~ Organic Aloe in Pure Water.  .  I LOVE IT!!!

They even have a Aloe Vita Zero in Green Grape and in Mango! I love when a company sells a diabetic sugar free version of the same drink it sells.  Many don’t in the Aloe family but Aloe Vita does.  Best price for these drinks are at Winco!!  a 12 pack is 10.98 other places sell them for much higher.  On line I found them at Amazon 19.95 for a 12 pack. That is a lot more compared to Winco but I did compare the ones sold on Amazon and they are about the same as other Aloe drinks out there.  Other online stores are charging 24.00 for a 12 pack.  Look at other stores when your out and about I am sure they sell them all over by now.  We just love them!

Benefits Of Aloe 
* Promotes Heart Health
*Supports The Immune System
* Reduces Inflammation
* Helps Control Blood Sugar
* Helps Fight Cancer
* Detoxifies The Body
Filed Under: Fit Tips

National Nutrition Month!!

March 16, 2018 by

March is National Nutrition Month.  Every year I love to see what theme the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics choose.  This year the theme is “Go Further with Food.” I love this years theme.  It reminds us to go back to the basics and bring healthy food back into our life.  Get rid of the processed food and go further with fresh and non processed food.  Our bodies are not meant to take in processed food.  Use sparingly if you do use processed food.  With a good mindset about food and planning out healthy meals for us and our families I believe we will be able to Go FURTHER in life with more energy  Start your day out with a healthy breakfast and make sure you get in a good healthy lunch. Make a dinner the center point to re connect with your family.  Using healthy food so everyone stays healthy and feels the energy that good food can provide.

I have been so much better this year with planning out meals and knowing what is in my re-fridge so food does not waste.  Incorporate vegetables as a big part of your diet. It’s such a great way to live.  I am not so big on fruit as I am on veggies due to my diabetes.  Since I do not take medication and I control my numbers by what I eat my fruit intake is low so my numbers stay low but if you don’t have diabetes you should make fruit and veggies a good part of your diet.  I love apples and they are in the low index group of fruit so you will see me eating apples and berries.

Let’s see how far we can go by changing up what we eat and paying better attention to adding healthier foods into our diet.

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