Okay, so I haven’t been taking any illegal drugs. I have been taking anti-biotics. My head is swimming but I am not high in that way. I am high on Jesus (like that guy in the subway said last week) but that isn’t it either. So why am I high?

Well, it turns out that genetics are against me. Strongly against me. It turns out that at 24 years of age I just happen to have borderline blood pressure and suprisingly high bad cholesterol. That is why I am high, blood pressure and cholesterol. Oh, and I have low levels of the good cholesterol to boot!

I went into the doctor about a month ago, due to Jasmine’s encouragement. She wrote down a list of things to ask the doctor about, from being tired all the way down to my family history of cancer. One of the tests that my doctor performed was an EKG to test my heart. My dad died of a heart attack just over a year ago so it was of valid concern. The test showed that I had a low heart rate (54 as compared to the normal 60-100). It was at that time that I was told I could have a thyroid problem.

A thyroid problem would explain a lot of things including my weight gain. I came in for a blood test to confirm that fact later in the week. I immediately called my mom and asked if anyone in the family had thyroid issues in the past. It turns out that my grandparents were currently taking medication for their thyroid. Wahoo! I had something to blame my weight gain and lethargy on.

Well, a week came and went. The results came in. It turns out I don’t have a bad thyroid (there is a hormone they can test from my blood). I do, however, have high cholesterol! What is the initial solution to my high cholesterol (you know, the leading cause of heart failure)? Diet and exercise. Yeah - exactly what I didn’t want.

A bad thyroid could make it so that my bad eating habbits and lack of reasonable exercise weren’t the cause of my weight. It would be a thyroid problem. But it wasn’t. Just seems I have a somewhat low metabolism, nothing to worry about. My cholesterol and blood pressure mean that I have to do the things a thyroid problem would avoid the necessity of. What crap.

Usually only people in their 40’s need to concern themselves with these things. I am in my prime, and I am already screwed. I really like food! Like, a lot. Good food can completely change a bad mood, make me feel satisfied when I am depressed, or even get me a little high (you know, from the endorphins released when I have spicy food). Now I have to have a completely different view on food. To say I am pissed about this is an understatment. A very important piece of my life is being ripped away from me.

I mean, I can exercise. I have always been able to exercise given the proper motivation. That doesn’t bother me at all. I just know that I should spend an hour at the gym instead of on my computer. I can resolve that. Food, however, is something I enjoy, and changing that routine will be complete hell. I know, this is starting to sound redundant and insignifigant but diet is hard. How am I to resist the lamb and chicken on a pita, smothered with a cream sauce and hot sauce? It is right across the street from work. To get a salad, I am going to have to walk at least half a block more, and spend $7 instead of $4 when I forget my lunch.

What about sushi? Sushi is healthy right? Sure, if you don’t have soy sauce (a very important ingredient). Even the low sodium stuff is too much for my volitile system.

There are ways around this. I will be able to change for the better, but it won’t be easy. Anyway, send me words of encouragment if you have already read down this far. I need it.