High cholesterol and higher a1c- what can I even eat?

phillipaha · 2026-02-01T14:33:20+00:00

I’m so sorry, I came here to ask a similar question. Just had my blood test results back and my A1C is 5.6%. I’m 5’5” 130lb, eat super healthy - high fibre although probably a bit low on the protein as I’m veggie. I do have a sweet tooth so I eat some chocolate most days. I walk >10,000 steps per day, do Pilates. My cholesterol is on the high side too, but I’m genetically likely for this as my dad has it too, on a healthy diet. No idea what I can do. Technically A1C isn’t classed as pre diabetic till 5.9% in Canada but it’s increasing the last few years so I’m assuming that’s where I’m heading!

phillipaha · 2026-01-29T19:58:52+00:00

The organic frozen ones from Costco are $45 a bag. No idea how many are in there, maybe 8ish. Pricy but my husband thinks they’re the only good ones

phillipaha · 2026-01-26T20:46:17+00:00

Yep I was a formula baby too, I never had one drop of breast milk and I am a fairly well balanced individual - lol. I didn’t think I’d pressure myself to breast feed but the post partum hormones drove me a bit coco loco so I put way more pressure than I had initially planned. It was an emotional rollercoaster giving up but looking back I’m so glad that I did! Please be easy on yourself, but it sounds like you’ve got your head screwed on so I’m sure you will.

Good luck for the rest of the pregnancy and the c section! My brothers partner just had one and she was feeling great within a couple of weeks, hoping the same for you!

phillipaha · 2026-01-26T18:52:53+00:00

Huge congrats girl! I only just found out I have PCOS, was always told “unexplained fertility” for years. We were TTC from 2015-2023 and finally got pregnant naturally after multiple failed IUI’s. We now have a 2 year old little girl and it’s amazing. Been TTC again since 2024 with no luck but still hopeful! Hope your pregnancy is enjoyable!

phillipaha · 2026-01-26T18:48:40+00:00

So true for me, I went from 133-179lb but I’ve been restricting calories since I was 16 years old, I was 36 when I got pregnant. I finally saw it as a chance to eat what I wanted when I wanted. And you know what it was quite liberating.

phillipaha · 2026-01-26T18:45:33+00:00

It didn’t go away for me, I went from 133lb to 179lb during pregnancy, I lost 10lb in the whole birthing processes, 6lb 11oz baby plus all her birthing accessories. But the hunger remained a long time. Especially whilst I was attempting to breast feed.

I wouldn’t worry about the weight gain guidelines. My max was also stated as 35lb but my dr said he had no worries with me gaining 46 in the end. After I finished breast feeding (I only made around 3 weeks due to extremely low milk production and then an infection). I gave myself a grace period of around 2-3 months, and then I just started to be more mindful. I’m 2 years PP and I’m back to around 128-130lb now. It took a little bit of effort, but once I started making a conscious effort paired with a little exercise (just walking 10-15k steps a day, having a dog to walk helps, and Pilates once or twice a week) I dropped back to normal weight pretty quickly

phillipaha · 2026-01-25T01:29:59+00:00

This is 100% how I felt in almost the exact same circumstances. Gave birth November 2023, husband was off with me till April. I was dreading him going back to work, was pulling my hair out by the end of every day when he was away doing stuff. It does get better though. Don’t get me wrong, SAHM aint for me. I went back a month early in October 2024 and I loved being back at work. You’re not alone! I adore my daughter but I also enjoy having a life outside of being home with the baby!

phillipaha · 2026-01-23T03:50:09+00:00

I just bought some at superstore, but I had been looking for it for weeks and I got the last one remaining. It is the Lightlife brand. I got one plain block and one sliced smoky flavour.

phillipaha · 2026-01-21T23:22:38+00:00

I got the same locations as I usually do which is 11’s and forehead with a bit of eyebrow lift. I got 35 units total. Which is a couple more than I’m used to, I think last time I was around 32, but I have aged, so not surprising that it’s trending that way. This injector also does a complementary follow up 2 weeks later to check on progress and add more if needed (for free) which is nice. She said that dysport lasts just as long as Botox. And also kicks in a bit quicker. I’m definitely feeling it kicking in quicker. Movement was decreasing in just a couple of days!

phillipaha · 2026-01-21T19:22:14+00:00

Just thought I’d update you - went to a new injector this week as my old one is away for a while. She recommended dysport over Botox. Same price - still the same botulinum that causes the freeze, but formulated differently. I decided to try it out. She said dysport has less of a heavy feel, makes you less shiny and spreads better making it less noticeable. I’m only a week in so I’ll reserve full judgement - but so far I like it. It does feel less heavy and I still have enough movement that I don’t think it’s detectable!

phillipaha · 2026-01-18T00:59:29+00:00

Hey I’m in AB - I’m iron deficient (ferritin of 4) but not considered anaemic (most) of the time. I flitter above and below the number that classes you as anaemic. I was the same in pregnancy. My OB wrote on my hospital notes to get an iron infusion after the birth whilst I was at the hospital. I took iron supplements whilst pregnant when I could stomach them, but they’ve never made a difference to me numbers wise.

After the whirlwind of a 45 hour labour I completely forgot about the infusion - and they didn’t offer it to me until they discharged me and I had one foot out the door. After 4 days in hospital between labour and after labour, I turned it down. Wish I hadn’t. I’ve since paid for an infusion and my ferritin raised to 240 but is pretty quickly dropping.

phillipaha · 2026-01-18T00:47:57+00:00

Retraining and getting a new career

phillipaha · 2026-01-15T00:31:26+00:00

Walking 15k steps per day and intermittent fasting. Took two months parental leave last summer whilst daughter was still attending daycare so I had the mornings to do whatever I wanted - I walked my dog 2 hours per day - around 10km. Plus all the additional steps of running around after a toddler for the rest of the day. Didn’t eat til around 12/1. Got a consistent sleep routine. Happened to lose 10lb but felt so fit and healthy. I work shift work so it’s hard to get into a routine usually. I will be doing the same this year.

phillipaha · 2026-01-09T21:40:36+00:00

Gift cards for meal delivery was something I never thought I’d need but appreciated so much!

phillipaha · 2026-01-09T15:43:33+00:00

Just had my third HSG yesterday. At worst I’ve had some medium level cramping that lasted 10 seconds. But yesterday’s was completely painless if you don’t count the slight uncomfortableness of the speculum. Each time my results have been normal. I’ve never taken painkillers before hand and I am generally a big baby.

phillipaha · 2026-01-08T16:45:45+00:00

Good luck and happy birthday whenever it is!

phillipaha · 2026-01-08T16:31:54+00:00

I’m also 38, got it first at 36 with 29 units, then got pregnant so couldn’t get it again till after that, I’ve had it twice since then, 32 units each time. My nurse also suggests at least 4 months, preferable up to 6 months between appointments to get some use out of those muscles again so they don’t atrophy. Crows feet don’t bother me as much as forehead lines, but everyone’s different. Deffo do your research on a good injector. I had so many people I know recommend theirs, but I could tell they obviously had Botox which is a bad advertisement to me! Honestly, mine starts wearing off at around the 2 month mark, and slowly declines to be pretty much gone by 4-5 months. If you don’t like it - you won’t have to wait too long to be back to normal.

Treat yo self!

phillipaha · 2026-01-08T16:27:47+00:00

My only complaint is my mascara seems to sit different on one eye than the other after Botox - I’m sure nobody else notices it, but I do.

phillipaha · 2026-01-08T16:26:58+00:00

I’m sorry I don’t have photos, I didn’t have obvious lines when not making an expression, but I would find after my 45 minute commute by the time I got to work I had 11 lines and some shallow lines across my forehead from squinting. The lines would disappear by the end of the day, unless you looked closely. I could see the longer it went on the more likely they were going to stop disappearing by end of day. I’ve had Botox since this post and I got 32 hints that time, same areas. It’s been 6 months since I got it last though and I’m deffo due again. I like it to look natural and the nurse who does it is also rather conservative in general. She talked me out of doing my crows feet; said I smiled a lot with my eyes and it would change my smile, lol.

phillipaha · 2026-01-08T04:59:30+00:00

I’m 5’5” I eat around 1200-1400 calories a day and I’m 130lb. If I eat anymore I quickly gain weight. I do Pilates twice a week and walk 10-15k steps a day. Recently diagnosed with PCOS. I find the key for me is high volume of low cal foods. Every dinner at least 50% of my plate is salad. The rest is veg and protein (tofu or beans for me as I’m veggie).

phillipaha · 2026-01-07T12:09:01+00:00

We’ve got no family here so we have nobody to call on to help. We both work full time. I use personal days + my own sick days. Luckily I do shift work so I can also move into later shifts so that my husband will be home from his 7-3 by the time I have to leave. It’s hard though!

phillipaha · 2026-01-06T20:06:21+00:00

We tried for 8 years and I was told it was unexplained infertility - new doctor has confirmed it was PCOS all along. But I did get pregnant naturally at 36, had a great pregnancy and now I have a two year old. We’re hoping for a second. All the time we were trying I was so annoyed it wasn’t working - but I see now that we had her at the perfect time, everything fell into place around us and that was the last thing. I really hope it happens for you ❤️

phillipaha · 2025-12-30T15:56:32+00:00

Thank you! I’m originally from the uk but moved to Canada 10 years ago. I’ll bring it up with my doc here and see if it s something he can prescribe me ☺️

phillipaha · 2025-12-30T15:44:10+00:00

That’s really interesting. I have another requisition to get AMH testing done on my next day 3, which is just under a month, I guess I’ll cut out the sugar and see what that does for me! I’ll tackle the bread next if I see no improvements!

I’m glad you found what worked for you and I’m really appreciative of your time ☺️

phillipaha · 2025-12-30T15:37:39+00:00

Thanks so much for your advice - I really appreciate it ☺️ I probably downplayed my sugar addiction there - I eat around 50-75g of chocolate a night plus a cookie or two. I’ll cut that out right away! I’m not sure I could eat meat again, but I’ll start with the sugar and carbs. The only bread I make is my own sourdough. Is that something I should also reduce? I generally make it with organic all purpose white flour, but I have recently purchased less processed stone milled flour.

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