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Trick for passing cholesterol tests - play golf just before getting blood drawn (walking, of course)

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By Lou G

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  • 21 Replies
  1. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    I played 18 holes last Friday and walked it just before going in for a cholesterol/blood sugar test.

    Results:

    Cholesterol 171

    Blood sugar 85

     

     

     

     

  2. Larry C

    Larry C
    Xenia, OH

    Thanks for the tip. I'll tell my wife that walking 18 is part of the test next time. Hopefully, my test will be as successful as yours. What did you shoot? Larry C
  3. Larry C

    Larry C
    Xenia, OH

    Thanks for the tip. I'll tell my wife that walking 18 is part of the test next time.:-) Hopefully, my test will be as successful as yours. What did you shoot? Larry C
  4. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    The total cholesterol didn't change much from baseline for one day, but triglycerides and glucose both benefited from fasting and walking before the test.  No question walking 3-5 miles several days a week will over time improve all the numbers.  There are studies that golfers live longer than the non-exercising group.  I don't think they stratified golfers by walking, riding, ounces of alcohol, and number of cigars, but I'll bet the pure walkers push the average up.  ;-)

    To note, I've had great numbers for years, but I have to reduce carbs and up my exercise for a couple of weeks to keep matching those numbers.  <sigh>

  5. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Larry C said:

    Thanks for the tip. I'll tell my wife that walking 18 is part of the test next time.:-) Hopefully, my test will be as successful as yours. What did you shoot? Larry C

    6 over par (had three 3 putt bogeys, though).  It is a par 60 exec course 3600 yards on the East 9 and South 9.  One literally uses every club in the bag because the par 3s range from 115-205 yards (and the longest plays about 220 or so; most of the par 3s are between 165-185 with some being uphill).  Par 4s are basically driver and wedge (I've driven #2 on the North Course and almost drove #6 on the East Course on Friday).  Oaks North is one of the more challenging exec courses in the county.  11 GIR and 4 sneakies (basically missed the green by 2ft on these).

  6. Christian J

    Christian J
    Griswold, IA

    Now everyone has an excuse to tell there wives why they need to go golfing more!

  7. Quintin H

    Quintin H
    Morehead, KY

    Lou G said:

    I played 18 holes last Friday and walked it just before going in for a cholesterol/blood sugar test.

    Results:

    Cholesterol 171

    Blood sugar 85

     

     

     

     

    Why would you want to cheat the test?

    Walking 18 may have dropped your blood sugar a little, but I doubt it had any effect on your cholesterol.

  8. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Quintin H said:

    Why would you want to cheat the test?

    Walking 18 may have dropped your blood sugar a little, but I doubt it had any effect on your cholesterol.

    [/quote]

    It was just a little bit of a quip and it was true that my blood sugar jumped to 105 on the prevous test last year (historically been around about 90).   My cholesterol has been around 175 for quite some time.  Besides fasting for 12 hours as required, I had been cleaning my system for a month (had some craving for Chicago hot dogs, Italian Beef and deep dish pizza). 

  9. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    One thing I forgot to mention....... playing golf the RIGHT way (walking the course) burns ~240 cal/.5 hr for 200 lb person.  That is the same as a 4 mph walk according to the fitness charts. 

    I did it the old school way (threw the bag on the shoulder and walked).

    Like I said in my reply, my initial post was a bit of a quip (at least in regards to cholesterol).  Blood sugar is something that changes just about instantly.  Eating a bowl of Pho (Vietnamese rice noodle soup) will spike it somewhere around 100 points (wife took her blood sugar after eating one).  

    My biggest gripe with some golf courses is the mandatory use of carts.  They only save time on a empty golf course.  When the course is crowded, no time saved.  2nd biggest gripe is some person 30 years old riding a golf cart voluntarily when he or she should be walking the course; defeats the purpose of playing (exercise).

     

     

     

  10. Quintin H

    Quintin H
    Morehead, KY

    The purpose of the game is to have fun.

    I just ran 5 miles while waiting for temp to raise, why would I want to walk?

  11. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Quintin H said:

    The purpose of the game is to have fun.

    I just ran 5 miles while waiting for temp to raise, why would I want to walk?

    I like to make golf into fun and exercise.  When my week is hectic, going out and batting a ball around the park or playing a round of golf the old fashioned way works like a charm.  If you walk 18 holes at Miramar that burns off ~ 1700 cal; that is 1/2 lb of fat playing golf.

    Gotta admit many years ago riding carts was fun during ship's golf tournaments.  We smoked cigars, slammed beers, did donuts on the golf course, passed gas and called each other "Howie".    Being a little bit sarcastic and stereotypical, of course (and trying to inject a little humor).

  12. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Lou G said:

    I like to make golf into fun and exercise.  When my week is hectic, going out and batting a ball around the park or playing a round of golf the old fashioned way works like a charm.  If you walk 18 holes at Miramar that burns off ~ 1700 cal; that is 1/2 lb of fat playing golf.

    Gotta admit many years ago riding carts was fun during ship's golf tournaments.  We smoked cigars, slammed beers, did donuts on the golf course, passed gas and called each other "Howie".    Being a little bit sarcastic and stereotypical, of course (and trying to inject a little humor).

    [/quote]

    Remember I LIVED Caddyshack in 1972.  Indian Hill CC (the place where the author of the movie just so happened to loop at in 1972) was about an hour's drive from St Charles CC (where I caddied). 

  13. Mike P.

    Mike P.
    Bethpage, NY

    good tip for my dad because he could use all the help he can get with his cholesterol

  14. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Pilk03 said:

    good tip for my dad because he could use all the help he can get with his cholesterol

    My dad had very high cholesterol back in his 30s.  He's been on a total health kick since about 1969 or so.  He is 78 and his level is around 190. I'll be 55 next week and my most recent cholesterol test was 171 with 85 blood sugar (in 2005 my overall level was 253 but that was skewed because triglycerides were 900 and it makes the LDL not measurable).

    My problem was triglycerides (in 2005 they were measured at 900 and even when I was on active duty it was noted in a re-enlistment physical but the Navy medical folks chose not to do anything about it; now that I am a retiree, they pay strict attention to it).   When your dad goes in for his blood test, have them do thyroid activity (that is what controls your metabolism and that is one contributing factor to high triglycerides and cholesterol). 

    Things to minimize eating: pork ribs, bologna, hot dogs, white rice, carne asada burritos and tacos, burgers, shellfish (calamari has the highest cholesterol level - a couple pieces every now and then is OK).

    The nutritionists actually said at a seminar that Chicago style Italian Beef sandwiches (or a French Dip) are OK in moderation (the beef is much leaner vs a Philly cheesesteak).

    Golf is actually on the fitness charts (and a lot don't know about it).  To reiterate, the calories burned (if you walk) are the same as a 4mph walk (240 cal/half hour for a 200 lb person). 

     

  15. Mike P.

    Mike P.
    Bethpage, NY

    Lou G said:

    My dad had very high cholesterol back in his 30s.  He's been on a total health kick since about 1969 or so.  He is 78 and his level is around 190. I'll be 55 next week and my most recent cholesterol test was 171 with 85 blood sugar (in 2005 my overall level was 253 but that was skewed because triglycerides were 900 and it makes the LDL not measurable).

    My problem was triglycerides (in 2005 they were measured at 900 and even when I was on active duty it was noted in a re-enlistment physical but the Navy medical folks chose not to do anything about it; now that I am a retiree, they pay strict attention to it).   When your dad goes in for his blood test, have them do thyroid activity (that is what controls your metabolism and that is one contributing factor to high triglycerides and cholesterol). 

    Things to minimize eating: pork ribs, bologna, hot dogs, white rice, carne asada burritos and tacos, burgers, shellfish (calamari has the highest cholesterol level - a couple pieces every now and then is OK).

    The nutritionists actually said at a seminar that Chicago style Italian Beef sandwiches (or a French Dip) are OK in moderation (the beef is much leaner vs a Philly cheesesteak).

    Golf is actually on the fitness charts (and a lot don't know about it).  To reiterate, the calories burned (if you walk) are the same as a 4mph walk (240 cal/half hour for a 200 lb person). 

     

    [/quote]ok thank you ill tell him

  16. Mike P.

    Mike P.
    Bethpage, NY

    Lou G said:

    My dad had very high cholesterol back in his 30s.  He's been on a total health kick since about 1969 or so.  He is 78 and his level is around 190. I'll be 55 next week and my most recent cholesterol test was 171 with 85 blood sugar (in 2005 my overall level was 253 but that was skewed because triglycerides were 900 and it makes the LDL not measurable).

    My problem was triglycerides (in 2005 they were measured at 900 and even when I was on active duty it was noted in a re-enlistment physical but the Navy medical folks chose not to do anything about it; now that I am a retiree, they pay strict attention to it).   When your dad goes in for his blood test, have them do thyroid activity (that is what controls your metabolism and that is one contributing factor to high triglycerides and cholesterol). 

    Things to minimize eating: pork ribs, bologna, hot dogs, white rice, carne asada burritos and tacos, burgers, shellfish (calamari has the highest cholesterol level - a couple pieces every now and then is OK).

    The nutritionists actually said at a seminar that Chicago style Italian Beef sandwiches (or a French Dip) are OK in moderation (the beef is much leaner vs a Philly cheesesteak).

    Golf is actually on the fitness charts (and a lot don't know about it).  To reiterate, the calories burned (if you walk) are the same as a 4mph walk (240 cal/half hour for a 200 lb person). 

     

    [/quote]

    thank you

  17. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    Quintin H said:

    The purpose of the game is to have fun.

    I just ran 5 miles while waiting for temp to raise, why would I want to walk?

    I would have an extra cup of coffee and catch up on some reading while waiting for it to warm and still walk the course.  For much the same reason why I run without a headset, so I can take in the surroundings better.  One recommendation for better putting is to observer the green on the way up the fairway.  Helps to see the slopes of the green better.  Walking ont the green directly from the side you miss some angles for how there are ridges and sloping.  The club I belong to has carts but most walk.  The average round is barely more than 4 hours - of course it is not crowded.  Playing by myself, I can walk it in around 3:40.

    We do have some courses that require carts, but one has a quarter mile walk to the first tee box and the ninth green is a couple hundred of more yards from there, so it take quite a while to walk back to get to the 10th tee.  But with 2 in a cart (and I'm the only lefty in the group), I tend to play from the other side of the fairway and we still walk a lot to keep up.  I'm twice the age of my group (25-31 and I'm 62) and I'm always the one willing to walk. 

    If I want to ride, I could just take a chair out to a driving range and hit a couple and sit for a couple of minutes.   

  18. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Don O said:

    I would have an extra cup of coffee and catch up on some reading while waiting for it to warm and still walk the course.  For much the same reason why I run without a headset, so I can take in the surroundings better.  One recommendation for better putting is to observer the green on the way up the fairway.  Helps to see the slopes of the green better.  Walking ont the green directly from the side you miss some angles for how there are ridges and sloping.  The club I belong to has carts but most walk.  The average round is barely more than 4 hours - of course it is not crowded.  Playing by myself, I can walk it in around 3:40.

    We do have some courses that require carts, but one has a quarter mile walk to the first tee box and the ninth green is a couple hundred of more yards from there, so it take quite a while to walk back to get to the 10th tee.  But with 2 in a cart (and I'm the only lefty in the group), I tend to play from the other side of the fairway and we still walk a lot to keep up.  I'm twice the age of my group (25-31 and I'm 62) and I'm always the one willing to walk. 

    If I want to ride, I could just take a chair out to a driving range and hit a couple and sit for a couple of minutes.   

    [/quote]

    We semi-oldsters do it right! (officially I start getting some of those senior discounts at the end of the month - I turn 55). 

  19. Christian J

    Christian J
    Griswold, IA

    Pretty sure the goal of this wasn't to help you cheat the system.  He's basically saying that playing golf helps you lower your cholesterol and giving other people tips...  Hence being under the category of golf tips...

  20. right on, LOL :)

  21. I think it would be more sensible to eat better?

  22. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Warren B said:

    I think it would be more sensible to eat better?

    That is part of the equation (and I have had to watch my diet since 2005).  My triglycerides were near 900 before mainly due to low TSH (I've been on Synthroid since 2005 - and that dropped them to 330); they are just a little above 150 now (I take Tricor).  I've maintained my cholesterol level around 175 since about 2007 (it dropped to 154 at one time).  

    One thing I have just about totally cut out is pork ribs.  The dietitian at the Tricare clinic (I'm retired Navy) even said having an occasional Chicago style Italian Beef is OK (if you are going to junk out, eat one of these instead of a Philly Cheesesteak or carne asada burrito; the meat is way less fatty). 

    I've always managed to keep myself in reasonable physical shape (still can run 3 miles in <30 min).  Need to get back into tennis and mountain biking again.

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