The Progressing Pilgrim

Insights for developing a healthy body, mind and spirit

My Cholesterol Level Part 2: Examining My Need For Statins

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My Cholesterol Level Part 2: Examining My Need For StatinsIn my last post, I examined the efficacy and safety of statins. They’re the cholesterol-lowering drugs that tens of millions of Americans are currently taking.

The genesis of that post was my refusal of statins from my doctor.

After reviewing my lipid panel, my doctor said I needed statins because my cholesterol was high, especially my LDL-C. He believed this increased my risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

He assured me, “Statins will lower my LDL-C and my risk of CVD.”

I subsequently refused his offer and gave him three reasons why.

I told him I believed that statins are often ineffective in lowering CVD risk, they’re dangerous, and I don’t need them.

Further, I explained that basing my CVD risk primarily on LDL-C levels was not in accordance with current scientific research.

Ooooh… I got such a look. [Read more…]

My Cholesterol Levels Part 1: Why I Rejected Statins

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I’ve now been on a low-carbohydrate healthy-fat (LCHF) diet for about nine months.

Outwardly, the results have been amazing. I’ve lost about 25 pounds (currently 168 lbs.), my BMI is 23.43, and my waistline is down to 35”. Also, my energy levels and weightlifting totals have not suffered.

However, I wanted to know how my LCHF diet was affecting my body on the inside. So I decided to see my M.D. for some baseline blood tests. 

The tests I was most curious about were my cholesterol levels, especially my LDL-C. [Read more…]

My Friend Jerry’s Fight With Diabetes And Obesity: Part 2 Winning The Battle

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A few weeks back, I wrote about my friend Jerry’s (name changed) ongoing battle with heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. See part 1 here. He’s been out of the hospital for about six weeks.

I spoke to him today, and he says he’s lost about 30 pounds, his blood glucose is under control, and he feels great.  

While Jerry is not currently dieting, he has started to adopt a new way of eating. He’s laying off the refined carbs as much as possible. He knows that indulging in bread, pasta, and potatoes aren’t going to help his cause. [Read more…]

Low-Carb Wednesday: How To Make Tender Juicy Pork Roast

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Today Barbara, my better half and founder of The Gluten Free Homestead has a recipe for you. Thanks to Barbara for sharing this incredible recipe.

This morning John and I went on a walk around our neighborhood. What a lovely, crisp fall day! John commented that these kinds of days remind him of long-ago autumn Sundays when he was a kid. His mom would spend the afternoon making a roast, and his family would eat dinner a little early while watching the football game. His description of his mom’s tender, juicy roasts made me smile. [Read more…]

Adjusting My Programming As A Masters Intermediate Lifter – Weekly Workout 9/18

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Strength coaches will tell you that strength training programming for us older guys and gals can be difficult.  If we’re not careful, excess volume or intensity can wear us down very rapidly.

Since we don’t recover as well as 25-year-olds, the danger of over-training for us masters lifters (45 years old and up) is always something to be critically aware of.

However, under-training can also be problematic as it often leads to stagnation or regression.

Finding the proper balance between overtraining and undertraining requires experience and self-awareness. [Read more…]

Low-Carb Wednesday: Frittata With Goat Cheese, Leeks, And Sage

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Today Barbara, my better half and founder of The Gluten Free Homestead has a recipe for you. Thanks to Barbara for sharing this delicious recipe.

I’m so excited to share the recipe for this savory frittata with goat cheese, leeks, and sage. It’s one of John’s favorite breakfasts and I think you’re going to love it too. The sweet leeks, creamy goat cheese, and delicately earthy sage make for a lovely blend of flavors. [Read more…]

My Deadlift Injury And The Starr Rehab Program- Weekly Workouts 8/28-9/4

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This week was the first time I wasn’t able to complete a lift session because of pain. On the 5th rep on my second working set of deadlifts (235# 1 x 5), I felt a shooting pain travel down the left side of my lower back.

Because it hurt a lot more than an ordinary back spasm, I thought I had torn a muscle. As it turned out, I hadn’t, but the experience reminded me that I had to pay special attention to how I lifted going forward.

I had suffered three episodes of bad back spasms in the last two months, and now I had the worst one during a lift. Something wasn’t right.

It was time to reevaluate my lifting program. [Read more…]

Wrongly Feeding Jesus’ Sheep: Obesity In The Church

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It’s a given that the Church is supposed to be responsible for its members’ spiritual needs. In a sense, the church feeds the sheep.

To be sure, the church also is to show concern for the physical needs of its members. 

Churches have deacon funds that help its members with financial hardships. They have food pantries that supply food to the hungry. And church leaders often also anoint, pray, and care for the sick.

But what about the physical health of the church members before they get sick? Does the church have a responsibility to warn its members of unhealthy physical activities that lead to physical illness? [Read more…]

Low-Carb Wednesday: How To Make A Perfect Pan Seared Flat Iron Steak

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Today Barbara, my better half and founder of The Gluten Free Homestead has a recipe for you. Thanks to Barbara for sharing this steak recipe.

You know those crazy days when you need to get dinner on the table quick, and you’d really rather have reservations booked at the fancy steakhouse?

Why not turn your own kitchen into a steakhouse? 😉

Today, I’m sharing my super easy steps for cooking the juiciest flat iron steak. Marinated and seared to perfection. And topped with a luscious red wine sauce. [Read more…]

My Friend Jerry’s Fight With Diabetes And Obesity: Part 1

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Recently, I went to the hospital to visit my friend Jerry (name changed). He was recovering from heart failure. He’s also obese, a type 2 diabetic taking insulin and a slew of other meds for various conditions.

As I entered his room, he was in the middle of eating his lunch. I was shocked at what his medical team thought was a healthy meal. Now, remember, he’s a type 2 diabetic with heart disease, and he’s in a controlled setting (a hospital).

On his plate was a small piece of fish. It was a little dried out, but after all, it’s hospital food. Great so far.

But next to the fish was an ice-cream-scoop-size portion of rice and a medium sized hard roll. To wash down the meal, he was given some fruit juice. There was a little salad on the side too.

I was wondering when the dessert tray was going to be brought in.

Seriously, though, seeing Jerry’s lunch, I couldn’t help thinking, “Are they trying to heal him and kill him at the same time?” [Read more…]