Do you have any children?
I have a son Jeff who is 18, and a daughter Laura who is 16.
What are your hobbies?
I play hockey, tennis, and work out at the gym. I also play the electric guitar.
How did you find out you had high cholesterol?
Four years ago I went to my doctor for a routine visit, and got some blood work done. That's when I learned that I had high cholesterol.
What steps did you take to lower your cholesterol?
I read a lot about the subject and set out to make some lifestyle changes. I didn't want to take any meds, but instead wanted to lower my cholesterol naturally. I spent the next year exercising more frequently and eating healthier. However, when I had my next check up, my results indicated no change in my cholesterol levels!
That's when I decided to use Becel® pro.activ® calorie-reduced margarine, with plant sterols. I was amazed at how quickly I lowered my cholesterol. It went down to 6.1 in only three weeks!
Why did you want to lower your cholesterol?
I already knew high cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and I was concerned that it might cause me to hang up my hockey skates. My doctor is now happy with my cholesterol level and assured me that I can still live out my dreams on the rink for as long as I want. I also want to beat my kids at tennis for the next 20 years.
What lifestyle changes have you made that you will carry on with?
I now eat healthier, and I make time to do something active every day. I also make a point of constantly educating myself.
How did you include Becel® pro.activ® into your diet?
Every morning I have orange juice and some Becel® pro.activ® on my whole wheat toast. At lunch I have a sandwich with either tuna or salmon and of course I put Becel® pro.activ® on the bread. For dinner I have a lean piece of meat or fish and I steam some veggies like broccoli and mixed vegetables or corn and add some Becel® pro.activ® to the veggies. I was surprised how much my cholesterol dropped!
What advice would you give a friend looking to reduce their cholesterol?
I would tell them that it is an extremely tough thing to do, but I would recommend they try doing it naturally, by making simple, healthier choices in their diet, exercising more and using foods containing plant sterols, like Becel® pro activ®. Adding the plant sterols to my diet really made a difference for me.
What has been the single best thing you've experienced since you started this program?
As a firefighter you always worry about the possibility of a heart attack, because due to the nature of the job, your heart rate often increases suddenly and rapidly. But now I am armed with knowledge, and have found ways to live a healthier lifestyle. I am more at ease, and plan to live a long, active life.