When I first started focusing on lowering my cholesterol, my attention naturally went straight to food.
I thought: If I change what I eat — leaner meats, fewer sweets, smarter fats — that’ll do it.
And honestly, that helps. But after a while, I realized something was missing.
It wasn’t that I didn’t know about exercise — I just kind of… forgot to do it.
“Our bodies aren’t projects to fix — they’re partners in creation. Every mindful bite, every joyful step, every beat of movement brings us closer to ease.”
💗 More Than Food
Lowering cholesterol isn’t just about eating the right foods — it’s about the whole picture: movement, balanced eating, and sometimes gentle weight loss.
Each piece supports the others.
When I eat better, I feel more like moving.
When I move more, my sleep and stress improve.
When my stress goes down, my body naturally finds balance.
So here’s how I bring all three pieces together — in ways that actually feel good to me.
🚶♀️ Adding Movement Back In
After that first week of cleaning up my eating, I give my body a little time to settle — no pressure, just letting things normalize.
Then, the following week, I start adding movement again.
My favorite forms of exercise aren’t complicated or gym-heavy. They’re joyful, light, and often… playful:
- Walking — fresh air, good thinking time, gentle on the joints. My favorite time is when I can put in my ear buds and listen to a new (or old) Access Consciousness class or clearing loop. (music works well too!)
- Bouncing on my mini trampoline — it helps move lymph, boosts mood, and always makes me smile.
- Weights, squats, and balance work — small, steady strength that feels empowering. I like to include a few strength exercises for my arms, a couple legs then repeat. I work with where my body is that day and have fun with it.
- Beat Saber on my VR — yes, seriously! It’s fun, keeps me moving, and (strangely) works my core better than I ever expected.
Example day: Start my day with bouncing, weights, squats, and balance work (about 15 minutes total). Then have a nice breakfast and get to work. Later in the day, either go for a walk or enjoy about 20-30 minutes of Beat Saber.
I don’t think of these as “workouts.” I think of them as ways to move energy.
When I’m consistent, everything else starts to flow better — my sleep, my digestion, my mood, even how I see myself.
🍽️ The Bowl That Reminds Me of Balance
I have this small, pretty bowl I love to use when I’m in “reset” mode. It’s just a bit bigger than the size of my fist — about the size of a healthy stomach portion.
It’s perfect for a meal: a bit of protein, some veggies, maybe a small scoop of rice or pasta.
If I’m having lots of vegetables, I’ll use a larger bowl — because balance doesn’t mean restriction. It’s about paying attention.
That little bowl reminds me to eat with awareness rather than counting calories or denying myself.
It’s gentle portion control that feels kind, not rigid. I do sometimes add more to my little bowl, but only once I give myself a moment to see if I just want to eat, or if my body actually desires more food.
💓 The Cholesterol Connection
Exercise isn’t just about losing weight — though that can be a healthy side effect.
Movement helps raise HDL (the good cholesterol) and lower LDL (the bad cholesterol).
It also reduces triglycerides and supports the natural rhythm of your cardiovascular system.
Even gentle exercise — 20 to 30 minutes of walking, stretching, or dancing — starts that process.
And when you’ve already improved your food habits, adding movement takes those results even further.
✨ The Bigger Picture
As I’ve learned, lowering cholesterol (or making any health change) isn’t just about numbers.
It’s about reconnecting with your body — feeding it well, moving it with joy, and creating space to listen.
For me, it’s a cycle:
- Week 1: Focus on food and calm — nourish and rest.
- Week 2: Add movement — let energy start to flow.
- Week 3: Perhaps this week you can reduce the amount of food you eat? Whatever your next step is, keep the flow going. Adjust as you need, rest when you need to, but the key is to keep moving forward toward better health.
Because in the end, health isn’t punishment or perfection.
It’s a steady rhythm — a dance between food, movement, and kindness.
more2heather@gmail.com | (206) 227-6128