Q: I just had my labs done and I am terrified to see my lipid panel that is through the roof!  I was not fasting, but even so, it should not be this high. I just started a 25 minute a day walking program from home, as I need to lose 35 pounds.

Please tell me how to get my lipids back to normal range without medication.  I am a single mother of 3 and need to be healthy. I am beside myself in fear of something bad happening to me.

·       Cholesterol      294

·       HDL                  50

·       LDL                   193

·       Tryglicerides   256

·       TSH (thyroid)    8.98  (I am currently on Synthroid)

I await your reply at your soonest.  Thank you! – Jacqueline

A: Exercise is very important for weight loss and lowering cholesterol levels and walking is one of the best ways to achieve your goals. I would recommend gradually increasing your distance each week and picking up the pace a little as you become more fit. Try incorporating more exercises that you can do at home as well. There are many activities you can do right in your own living room. Leg lifts and abdominal crunches are fairly simple and don’t take much time. Use a soup or pasta sauce can as a weight to do bicep curls.

Diet is just as important as exercise when you are trying to lower your cholesterol. Avoid saturated and trans fats. This means not consuming hydrogenated oils, margarine, butter, pork, beef, fried foods, processed foods, refined carbohydrates, high fat dairy products, sweets, alcohol and caffeine. Instead, eat more high-fiber foods like whole grains, vegetables and fruits which can help to lower bad cholesterol levels. Helpful foods include apples, bananas, beans, brown rice, carrots, cold-water fish, garlic, grapefruit, oat bran, oats and olive oil.