Cholesterol - 4 - Condition & Symptoms

Possible Action Steps

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Possible Action Steps

Together, brainstorm the many ways and opportunities that people can deviate from their plans to live a healthy lifestyle and adhere to the doctor's prescribed medication schedule.
Identify the ways that are most likely to get the individual off-track with keeping blood cholesterol at a healthy level.
Together, brainstorm ways to get back on track when falling off. Try them out and see what works.
Realize that everyone falls off the wagon sooner or later. It's normal and expected.

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Possible Action Steps

Identify upcoming potential threats to effective blood cholesterol management; weekend, holiday, eating out, being with friends who smoke, financial problems, vacation, business trip, bad weather, family emergency, stressful situations, etc.
Develop ongoing awareness of situations that could negatively impact healthy lifestyle and blood cholesterol control. Have a plan in place to proactively get back on track.
In difficult or stressful situations, try to react with health promoting behaviors rather than healthy harming behaviors (smoking, inactivity, overeating).
Write up a written plan for dealing with a situation where it will be difficult to retain positive lifestyle changes.

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Possible Action Steps

Further increase daily step count to optimize health and fitness including further lowering of blood cholesterol
Augment positive lifestyle changes with a plan to make healthy changes in your kitchen
Vary physical activity regimen by taking dance, swimming, horseback riding, or canoeing class
Limit alcohol to one drink a day (women) or two drinks a day (men) and note the positive effect on health, including blood cholesterol reduction
Locate a running or walking partner to renew your interest in staying fit over the long haul
Join an online heart health program (like Heart360)
Investigate complementary and alternative treatments for managing high blood cholesterol. Ask doctor what ones might be right to try.

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