Betrayed... a little rant

I'm not meaning to be Debbie Downer here, but I received a bit of discouraging news yesterday and am hoping that "putting it out there" may prove to be a bit cathartic. So please, bear with me.

On Tuesday, I went to my ob/gyn for a yearly checkup and while making my appointment, I asked that some blood be taken, mainly to check my cholesterol. They were very hesitant to comply and agreed only when I divulged my family's history. You see, my dad had a heart attack before he turned fifty. And his mother died of a stroke when she was 43. These facts have always remained in the back of my mind... and yet I had not had my cholesterol checked in over a decade.

Long story short, a nurse called me yesterday with the results... my cholesterol is too high—overall, ratio-wise, the whole kit 'n' kaboodle. Then she proceeded to recommend that I increase my exercise. Had we been talking in person, I would have had to restrain myself from punching her in the throat. I told her, in the nicest way possible, that her suggestion was ridiculous. I had just gotten finished with an 11-mile run. I exercise at least five times a week. If I exercised much more, I wouldn't have time for other things... like interacting with my family, work, sleep. To put it mildly, her advice really pissed me off.

Next came the whole diet spiel. Try eating less meat, more fruits and vegetables, etc. Really, lady? Are you REALLY saying this to me? So I told her that I have been a vegetarian for nearly thirteen (THIRTEEN!!!) years. I haven't eaten fast food since high school. I cook almost every night. I go to the farmer's market every week. I eat only organic everything, use only low-fat dairy products, consume fiber like there's no tomorrow.

So finally, she gave up. She said, "We suggest you see an internist because it sounds like you'll probably need medication." And that's that.

Betrayed.

Betrayed by the body I have been so good to for so many years. Genetics trump lifestyle. Millions of overweight Americans gorging themselves on hamburgers, their only exercise coming from the walk to and from the fridge—they don't have cholesterol problems. But I do. It's maddening.

So what now? For starters, I am going to try a vegan diet—no more milk, no more cheese, and definitely no ice cream. And I'm going to see an internist. But I am NOT going to take medication for this. Not now, anyway. I hope it doesn't come to that.

I'll let you know how it goes :-)