Raising HDL Cholesterol – There’s Only One True Way to do it!

As one enters their thirties and forties, one starts paying closer attention to their health. In particular I was focused on my cholesterol, as I have a family history of cholesterol related illnesses. When you’re a child it’s easy to eat a piece of steak wrapped in bacon and not worry about the cholesterol. It’s funny, because at that age you feel like you’ll live forever and the thought of disease and death seem so far away.

However, as time passes you hear or experience tragedies of people close to you, it opens your eyes. For me it came when my father had a heart attack, and was partially paralyzed. Since I’m made almost completely in his likeness, I felt it imperative that I take action now to avoid his fate.

That involved a number of things. First, I needed to get my LDL cholesterol under control. That is easy enough through disciplined diet and exercise. Second, I needed to raise my HDL cholesterol. The challenge with that is to raise HDL cholesterol, there’s only one certain way: Exercise. Constant exercise, as in 3 to 5 times a week for a minimum of 20 minutes, but ideally 45 minutes or more.

It’s that simple challenge which makes it quite difficult on old lot of Americans, who are accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle which has no room or desire for exercise to be included in. 64% of Americans are obese or overweight. 70% of Americans don’t have a regular exercise routine. These people rely on drugs, supplements and buck to keep them healthy, but the problem with that is no drugs have been conclusively proven to raise HDL cholesterol. Which means you’ve just got a go for a run, swim a few laps, or hop on the bike instead of driving.

Many people are resistant to this because it’s a lifestyle change. I too struggled with it at first, taking shortcuts (I’ll only run 10 minutes today instead of 30, and I’ll go for longer run tomorrow!) Or just not wholeheartedly putting effort into my exercise. Sitting on an exercise bike and watching TV for 30 minutes is not the answer….you’ve got to pedal too! These are not ways to raise HDL cholesterol, nor is it away to get fit and healthy.

When I was finally able to make the change last year, it paid off. I was able to raise my HDL cholesterol 9% in just seven months. In another half-year, it should be up another 5 to 8%, well into the acceptable range of “perfect health”. All it takes is some dedication to exercising.

Being able to raise my HDL Cholesterol allows me to remain healthy so I can spend many healthy and happy years with my family and our newborn. Visit my site providing buying information on Baby Back Carriers at http://babybjorncarrier.net/