I posted on the cholesterol board but haven't had an answer yet, so thought I'd try on this one.  I'm 59 years old and my cholesterol is 265.  (The good cholesterol is fine, the bad is a little high, and the triglycerides definitely high. ) My doctor says he'd like to see me lose some weight so my cholesterol level drops, and recommended I check into a low carb diet and cutting back on the bad fats.  I need to know how many grams of carbs to aim for each day.  I do try to watch saturated and trans fats.  Wish I could be more active. I have trouble exercising since I can't handle chlorine (no pool swimming) and have trouble with my heels.  I can walk some, but not several miles a day.  I do about an hour of gardening each day, that's all. Better than nothing I guess. Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Hi Madge.No knowledge of cholesterol I am afraid (well, of course I do KNOW what it is, just know nothing much about it, so better keep quiet on it)Re. the exercise.Is cycling feasible for you? No pressure on the heels as in walking,and no chlorine!!Good luck,

HI, Gemini...Thanks for replying. I just talked with my doctor about cycling recently.  I have arthritis in my right knee, but he says that if I adjust the seat height so that  my knee isn't bent too much, I might want to try it.  So maybe I should try it.  

Hi Madge... I have osteoarthritis in my knees very badly and riding the stationary bike helps them alot, especially with the stiffness... at least 20 minutes a day, very minimum, for aerobic value.  

Thanks for the encouragement, Kelanie.  I may get a bike.  And I hope the persons who posted about carbs a few months ago (on one of these boards) will reply.  Several of them were talking about how many carbs a person should consume each day in order to lost weight.  I can't eat all the meat, cheese, and eggs that some of the low-carb diet books suggest.  I just don't want to risk it because my cholesterol is high.  I need to eat the good fats, and not a lot of them.   My doctor isn't much help, and his dietician just keeps pushing the 4 food groups, which usually means I don't lose any weight.  I know I would lose weight if I could just limit my carbs enough.  Not eliminate them, just limit them.  Need some guidance here!  :-)

Hi, Madge...I would suggest looking into Weight Watchers...the plan is very sound. I would definitely cut down on the fats, but you can still eat carbs, if it is the good kind. You want to look for high fiber, whole grain carbs...low glycemic carbs. It is the sugar and the high glycemic carbs that do the damage. That includes bananas, white flour products, potatoes, corn, peas, etc. You can look them up. The carbs rich in fiber will help lower your cholesterol because it works like broom to clean things out. Make sure you have protein along with the carbs at every meal and snack. That should really help without going on something like Atkins. Encorporate some soy in your diet too.

You may want to try yoga or pilates and do some exercises with weights. This will help your metabolism increase by gaining muscle mass which burns more calories even at rest.

Good luck!!

Grace

PS...I am a certified aerobic (group fitness) instructor...so maybe I can help with any questions.

I was on a modified variation of the Zone Diet which is supposed to be 40%protein, 30 %carbs, 30 %fat each meal.  Instead I made it easier and did 50-50 protein and carbs and 25 fat.  No more than 30 grams of protein and carbs and 15 grams of fat at each meal.  What it really came down to is I limited the intake of starchs - breads, potatoes, pasta, rice.  Doing that also eliminated many of the fats I had been eating because I wasn't eating fast food.  To lose weight quickly I probably didn't eat the full amount of grams I was alloted, but I wasn't feeling to deprived.  This seemed like a pretty well balanced diet.  Most carbs come from fruits and vegetables.  You also don't over do the protein like a high protein diet because it has to balance out with the other food groups.

Thanks, vita!  That's the kind of information I was looking for.   )