Doctors’ Notes

My sugar-free summer experiment officially ended on Labor Day.  It’s almost 3 weeks after the experiment end and I haven’t had any desire to reintroduce refined sugar into my diet, especially considering the results have been so positive.  I wanted to see how I’ve done so far from a doctor’s perspective, so I saw my primary care physician today to follow up.  Here’s the results:

• At 216 pounds, I am no longer considered obese, but merely overweight.  I’m a big dinner away from obesity and another 33 pounds away from the BMI standard of “normal” weight.  Chasing a chart number is insanity.  A mirror is a pretty good indicator of how you’re doing.  200-205 may be a good target weight for my build, but if the mirror tells me the 216 is fine, no worries.
• I am off of all prescribed medication.  I’ll take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for aches and pains, but I no longer take allopurinol or colchicine for gout and I no longer use albuterol as a preventative medicine for exercise-induced asthma.
• Blood pressure results are good at 118/76. I happily use salt without restriction. Resting pulse is better than it’s ever been at 60.
• I’m interested to see how my lipid screen looks, but I just noticed that my doctor didn’t order it.  I skipped breakfast for nothing!  On 5/31, my lipid screen revealed total cholesterol at 142, HDL at 48, LDL at 82, Triglycerides at 60. That was after following Tim Ferriss’ Four Hour Body Slow-Carb Diet beginning on January 31st, but before eliminating sugar and grains.
• My doctor is apparently not a fan of my eating choices, stating that “It sounds a lot like Atkins.  You know he died obese and from a heart attack?” I pointed out that my lipid profile changed to the best it’s ever been after I changed my eating habits.  He replied “Well, that’s because you’re also exercising.”  Interesting… I have been regularly exercising for a good 10 years or more.