A few days ago, I found out that my cholesterol levels were a little too high. My online doctor, who follows up on my blood pressure through an app, suggested starting medication, but I asked if we could wait since I had just begun my own plan for weight loss and better health: eating below a certain calorie limit, cutting down on saturated fat, adding more fiber, skipping added sugar, and walking or exercising one hour a day.
Her reply was:
“Wow, then we don’t need to start with [the medicine]. This will show in your results — and in your overall health, I’m sure. You’re doing great! Let’s take new tests in three months. Go you! Have a lovely winter.”
Of course, this isn’t general medical advice — it’s a decision made together with my doctor, based on my specific health values. The point isn’t whether she truly believed I’d make it. It’s that she took a moment to be human — to sound more like a cheerleader than a doctor.
That short message made my whole day. When you’re used to hearing skepticism from people close to you — people who’ve seen you start and stop so many times — a few encouraging words can mean everything. Her words made me want to prove that my plan for better health isn’t just another promise — this time, I intend to follow through.
I already know what’s healthy and what’s not. That’s never been the problem. The real challenge has never been knowledge — it’s been finding balance when life gets stressful. Many years ago, I even studied two university terms in nutrition and food science — the first year of the dietitian program. I loved it, but I also knew I couldn’t work in that field and feel like a hypocrite. Back then, I wasn’t overweight, but sweets were already my weak spot.
Today, I stayed well below my calorie limit and ate both healthy and delicious — salmon, wheat berries, and a tomato salad with red onion. I’m so glad I didn’t quit the blog yesterday. Whether things go well or not, I’ll keep my promise to write here every single day for these 30 days.