Low HDL? Here's What You Can Do

(Page 2)

Physical activity and weight loss

If you're concerned about your weight, increasing your physical activity is one of the most important steps you can take to lose weight and to keep it off.

How does physical activity help with weight loss? First, when you exercise, your body burns more calories. Second, exercising helps your body build more muscle. Muscle, in turn, burns more calories than fat. So, the more muscle you have, the more calories your body uses all day, every day. Remember, though, muscle weighs more than fat. So, as you become fit and your body fat is replaced with muscle, you may not see the improvement as a weight loss on a scale. But if you stick with it and keep eating a healthy, low-calorie diet, you will become trimmer and probably see a difference in the way your clothes fit. You'll also feel better, and you may even lose some weight.

Health benefits of physical activity

Helps you replace fat with lean muscle (helps you look trimmer)
Increases bone strength
Increases resistance to stress and illness
Decreases blood pressure
Reduces risk of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, hypertension, and some cancers
Increases the level of good cholesterol and decreases total cholesterol level
Increases heart and lung strength
Improves sleep
Increases metabolism—helps maintain lean body mass
Decreases appetite
Burns calories
Promotes fat burning
Motivates healthy eating
Reduces stress and boredom

What if these changes don't increase your HDL level?

If diet and lifestyle changes don't improve your HDL level, discuss this with your medical professional. If needed, medications may be prescribed to help increase your HDL level.

Page 1 2