The Doctor Said I'm Gonna Die. So...Who Wants a Beer?

[Food Lady]

Jester, your last post--I'm the same way. I'm really perplexed as to why your LDL (or HDL?--I get confused) is low. I guess it's just genetics, and there's nothing wrong with your eating habits. maybe there's just one food or supplement you simply need to add in, rather than taking stuff out.

[Jester]

Food Lady, it's certainly a possibility. But who can say? I am going to try a few things, some of which were suggested here.

I get snippy when someone tells me how to eat, too...even if I ask what they think Seriously, I think most of us understand where you're coming from.

I would like to believe that most of you do, in fact, understand when I'm coming from, and that several of you have been around this site and me enough to know that sometimes I am not always puppies and rainbows, and sometimes that even with the best of intentions I can come off like, well, an asshole, basically. But even if MOST of the people understand that, that means that some still don't. And that is who my mea culpa was addressed to...anyone who thought I wasn't taking the advice well, or was being overly defensive. I am sometimes like that, though I it is not generally intentional, and in this case definitely was not intentional.

Keep in mind, some of the advice that I may have brushed aside was simply because it did not apply to me. Like the person who very thoughtfully suggested green tea, not realizing that I loathe tea. I have heard from many people the health benefits of green tea, and I don't doubt that it is very good for you. I just can't stand tea, ANY tea, so it was not really applicable to ME. Doesn't mean it wasn't good advice for someone else reading this thread that might be going through the same thing as I am.

And that was all my last post was about...to explain and, if necessary, apologize.

Hope I've cleared a few things up.

[Food Lady]

Yes, you come off as a jerk sometimes. Is that gonna scare me away? No. You can't get rid of me that easily.

[42_42_42]

Jester, you've not said anything that bothers me. As someone who is supposed to be cutting drastically back on certain foods (and not doing such a good job of it), I really understand. When I was first told I needed to eat a super-low carb diet, I went into a deep depression for days. Anyone who is as avid a baker as I am does not want to hear that! Plus, I have certain digestive issues which mean that a lot of the time, simple carbs like instant mashed potatoes and white rice are the only ones my tummy can handle (basically, the BRAT diet). I could go on a super low-fat diet a lot easier because I already have to eat like that because too much of any fats, even the "healthy" ones make me sick, and for me "too much" is an amount that is normal for most people. So, you have my complete sympathies. Which is one of the reasons I've tried to be so helpful.

[wolfie]

Couple of things spring to mind. First is a Willie Nelson lyric I remember from quite a while back - "There's more old drunks than there are old doctors".

Second is a quote I can't remember the source of. Following a doctor's advice about dietary changes doesn't necessarily make you live longer - it just seems that way since you no longer enjoy what you eat.

[ozcatbug]

My mother was diagnosed with extremely high cholesterol when she was in her 40's. She was told that she needed to cut all cholesterol out of her diet, as well as increase her exercise. At the time she did drastically change her diet, but for exercise, there wasn't much more she could do. She was working as an aerobics instructor that led 6 classes a week, plus she participated in other classes as well as weight training. She was the healthiest she had ever been. 6 weeks after the diet changes she was tested again, and her cholesterol levels went up. The doctor informed her that she was unlucky that her body produced cholesterol, and the only treatment was medication, which made her sick. After all this time she is on the lowest dosage she can, and while she still has high cholesterol levels, they are much lower than they were when she first found out.

In the years since her first diagnosis she has encountered a lot of conflicting information. She can't eat eggs, she shouldn't cut eggs out of her diet. She can't have any dairy, she should make sure she has dairy every day. And so on and so on. The worst was the time she went to a doctor for the first time after moving, asking for a referral to a specialist (can't remember what sort), giving the doctor a letter from her last specialist, and he told her that all she had to do to lower her cholesterol was to diet and exercise more. He refused to listen to her, so a new doctor was found. Honestly, after all this time mum has found that the best advice is everything in moderation which, except for a slightly high consumption of bacon, you seem to be following. As has been said, we are all going to die of something.

[Jester]

The latest:

Whenever I order wings now, I preface it by saying, "My doctor told me that wings were toxic and that I was to absolutely not eat them. So I fired him."

"There's more old drunks than there are old doctors".

Heh. Vaguely like something a local musician says during his act. Before he plays a song that was made popular by a band he was in decades ago, he'll comment on the band, including this gem (delivered in his standard easy-going deadpan laidback severely understated style): "They kicked me out of the band for being a drunk. 30 years later, three of them are dead from drugs....and I'm still a drunk."

[Mytical]

I wanna issue a challenge to Jester. A drinking challenge. Now mind you, I can not drink at all, so it would be a win for Jester..but it would mean that we would have to meet at least. So it would still be a win for me

[dalesys]

...three of them are dead from dugs...

Freudian slip, eh?

[Jester]

Dale, really, one of the very few typos I make, and you have to pick on it? Tsk, tsk.

I wanna issue a challenge to Jester. A drinking challenge. Now mind you, I can not drink at all, so it would be a win for Jester..but it would mean that we would have to meet at least. So it would still be a win for me

Choose your spirits at high noon.

And by the way...your definition of win is a bit odd. Meeting me is....well, just meeting me. I'm an okay guy. Some people think I'm awesome, some people think I'm an obnoxious and rude prick. Most fall somewhere in the middle.

I am curious, though, as to what the specifics of the drinking challenge would be.....

[Mytical]

Hmm never really thought there would be specifics for a drinking challenge. Always thought it was "The person who can drink the most alcohol and remain vertical wins." Guess there is the "Who can drink x amount the fastest" version also tho...

As for why I would consider it a win, you explained it well without realizing it. To me you are a straight shooter, I respect that. If I ask your opinion on something, I can be pretty confident that you will give me your honest answer, not just something I want to hear.

[Jester]

Mytical, there are plenty of people who can outdrink me. Of course, most of them are either very large or very Australian (or both), but that's besides the point.

And yes, there are many drinking challenges out there. Trust me, I'm a professional! Although you hit the basic premise of most of them on the head. So, if you are not much of a drinker, you really don't want to try to match me (or any pro drinker) in a drinking challenge, as frankly, the next morning you not only won't feel that great, you probably won't remember the night before.....and didn't you say the whole point of this was to meet me?

By the way, if you really want to meet me, you know where you can find me. Key West is a small island, and I welcome visitors whenever they come here. Especially if I kinda know them from here.

[Mytical]

Yep. Since I can't drink at all (cirrhosis of the liver .. never a heavy drinker, smoker, or drug user..diabetes/nash combo gave it to me)..we would meet..go to the drinks..(which I would buy) and you would drink one..I'd put my hand over the drink forfeiting and that would be the 'contest' lol.

Ie, more of an excuse to meet you then anything . As for traveling, not any time soon I am afraid.

[Jester]

No, Mytical, you got it wrong. In all likelihood, since you wouldn't be able to drink it, I'd drink your drink too. Since I am fervently against alcohol abuse.

[Seraph]

Mytical, there are plenty of people who can outdrink me. Of course, most of them are either very large or very Australian (or both), but that's besides the point.

What about a dwarf? <.<