When Cubans Have High Cholesterol We Eat More Vaca Frita

Between 2000 and 2006 I ate enough Ropa Vieja and Arroz Con Pollo to pack on 58 pounds. I became concerned about my weight when my size 40 pants became a little snug. Worried that I was gaining too much weight I scheduled a yearly physical with my doctor at the end of 2005. Not surprisingly my doctor told me I was too heavy. My frame wasn't designed to carry 258 pounds. A few days later my lab results came in and my cholesterol was high. The doc told me to lose weight and see a nutritionist. I did neither. Ironically, during that time I was working on an ad campaign for a popular cholesterol lowering medication named Crestor. Privy to all of the facts about cholesterol I did what most Americans do, and pretended it didn't happen. Each day passed and I knew I was getting closer to a future blood test that would call me pre-diabetic and kick start a slew of other horrible medical issues. Probably ending in my mid 50s with a stent in one of my arteries or worse.

I'm not sure where my numbers are today, but I'm going to call up my doctor to schedule an appointment and we'll see if the 28 pounds I've lost has improved my cholesterol levels.