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In early May, a cholesterol reading of 243 pushed me to get back to McDougalling but it took me a couple of weeks to really commit to doing it right.

On May 23, I completely quit the coffee again, which I had already reduced in the previous couple of weeks. I quit having so many sweet desserts, dropped the last of the fatty foods like almonds and regular salad dressing, and concentrated on eating more potatoes, starches, and lots of vegetables.

I started exercising again in early May after a long absence from regular exercise due to laziness, depression, and going through physical therapy for neck and shoulder issues. I've ramped up to now doing at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 5 days per week, strength-training 3 days per week, and continuing physical therapy exercises and stretches on the other days.

On August 15, I had my cholesterol blood work repeated. The total cholesterol had dropped by 59 points to 184. I'd hoped for a bigger drop but I still have a fair amount of fat on my body to lose. Staying on the path I'm on now should take care of the fat as well as bring the cholesterol number down further.

Other improvements since I decided to get back on track:

I've lost 35 pounds (and don't intend to find them again!)
My blood pressure has come down from 140/85 to under 110/70 consistently.
I've gone down at least one size in pants and tops.
I have more energy and no depression.
My skin looks better; I've been mistaken for being 10+ years younger than I really am.
My cravings for unhealthy foods have reduced significantly; the few that occur are driven by emotions not actual hunger for that food.
My monthly periods have become far easier - no PMS or irritability and so little cramping that no ibuprofen is usually needed.

Chile,
congratulations! Please continue the good work! We all need examples like yours to keep ourselves on track and to show others that is possible to have those many items you can show.

Fantastic. I'm coming back to read this again ,when I start to stray. Keep up the good work.

WTG CHILE ....AWESOME

Chile, congrats! Keep on keeping on. How bout some before and aft photos? Happy McDougalling!

Thanks, all of you! No pics as I'm still quite a ways from my final weight.

YEA!....i dropped my cholesterol from 158 to 117 in just 6 weeks...sticking to this totally! Cured my arthritis...energy that doesn't stop...glad your on our team!

That is fabulous Chile!!! HUGS!!!

Giddyupgin, congratulations on the cholesterol drop. That's fantastic!

Sweet. Feels great doesn't it. I love this way of eating.

Great work, Chile! Thank you for sharing this with us.

This is most excellent news, Chile. You should be proud of yourself.

Way to go Chile. I remember all the progress you made before. Sometimes it takes a smack like the cholesterol to get us realizing we aren't eating as healthy as we like to tell ourselves. It was my motivating factor.

I have a feeling you are down more than just one dress size too.

I know you have to feel better. For the females, I could always tell that I was not mcdougalling when it came to my monthly periods. That difference alone was a huge a-ha to me to walk the line.

That's a HUGE improvement!!

Keep in mind that I've been vegan for 20+ years. Even so, my weight had crept up again b/c of eating added fats, vegan convenience food, etc. My cholesterol was 181.

It is now (well, was in Jan.--probably even lower now, LOL!) 137. That was after losing 70 pounds (now 87).

My point is that I already ate no animal products and my cholesterol was higher than it had ever been! It took losing the weight to bring it down.

So keep at it and your levels next year will be even better! Congrats!

Thanks, all. I'm keeping to the path and will be repeating bloodwork next spring. My doctor wants me to do it in February; "after the holidays," he said in such a way to indicate he thinks I'll eat poorly. I told him I already have a plan for the holidays and my cholesterol will be even better.