Seven years ago, I was running a software company I'd started in Minneapolis, traveling 2 or 3 times a week, constantly eating out, and not paying much attention to my health. In November 2002, I went into a clinic for a life insurance medical exam and came out with something that changed my life. On a sheet of paper were three glaring numbers revealing the results of my blood test-- Total Cholesterol Level= 260; Triglycerides= 586; Weight= 194.

I guess I knew I'd put on a couple extra pounds, but this was 30 pounds heavier than I last remembered. I'd heard some things about high cholesterol, but at age 32 heart disease was something I thought I didn't need to worry about for at least a couple decades. But the life insurance company punched me in the face: I was twice as likely to die as the "average guy". And that wasn't good.

A False Start

I knew I needed to change my lifestyle-- and with a new baby at home, I had another important reason to do so. I made an appointment to see a highly respected regional doctor, and waited over a month for a consultation. When I finally was able to see him, he entered the exam room and asked what he could do for me. I showed him my prior lab report, and explained my concerns about the cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Apparently confused, he asked again what he could do for me. I said I wanted to lower these. In all of three minutes, the doctor proceeded to explain that I was too young for medications, suggested that I "work on my diet and exercise", and sent me on my way with a brochure outlining "foods to eat" and "foods to avoid."

While I was thankful to avoid the cost and potential side-effects of a drug, I also was confused and pretty frustrated. I didn't know where to get or what to do with most of those foods-- I wasn't much of a cook. And I wasn't really what one might call "athletic" (sports were for non-nerds, and fitness was a foreign concept). I also didn't understand why this doctor didn't want to become my personal "wellness" coach. Put simply, for this aspect of my life I felt lost and alone.

A Long Journey

I spent the next four years trying to figure this out on my own. I tried a couple of diets, and lost a few pounds. I read some books and tried following the advice of so-called "experts", but gained much of it back. I starting watching the Food Network, learned a little about cooking, and began to lose more weight again. Then I revisited some of those books and diets, and about 20 pounds of it actually stayed off. Cooking at home gave me a lot more control over what I was eating, and I was beginning to realize that I had been eating a lot of the wrong stuff. I still couldn't quite put my finger on "it", but whatever it was seemed to be working.

A New Beginning

In early 2007, I began working with a personal trainer who said to my wife after our first session: "That boy's sure going to see some progress quickly." I guess I underwhelmed him with my physique and stamina. In any case, while the whole exercise routine was new to me, I was still more intrigued by the diet side of the equation and found myself using much of our training time asking questions about food. With the luxury of his time, and blessed by his years of expertise, it all fell into place. While exercise was-- and still is-- an important part of "wellness", I was eating things that didn't fill me up, and I was choosing foods that actually made me hungrier.

In March of 2007, I made a few simple changes to my diet: I increased the amount of protein, I reduced the amount of simple carbohydrates including sugar, and I began eating many more foods with fiber. Within a few weeks, I had significantly more energy and found myself needing a lot less caffeine! Within a few months, my clothes weren't fitting, as I'd dropped another 20 pounds. By the end of that year, I had my cholesterol levels tested again: my "good" HDL had increased nearly 60%, my "bad" LDL had decreased by about 20%, and my triglycerides were down more than 300%! And best of all: I was feeling so much better, and-- not to get too sappy here-- really felt like I could be a better husband, father, and friend.

Helping Others

Hardly a day went by that year when someone wasn't asking "What happened to you?" In the process of telling my own story, I also started listening. And what I heard were stories much like mine. While the statistics about increased rates of cholesterol, heart disease, and obesity are revealing, it's the stories of friends and family that were compelling. Most of the people I talked to were struggling with one or more health issues-- a weight problem for one, an energy problem for someone else, or a more serious medical condition for still another.

And most of the people I spoke with found the topic of nutrition confusing, the idea of "health foods" unappealing, and the idea of preparing meals from scratch unrealistic. After about the 10th conversation explaining what I had done, the 10th email forwarding recipes, and the 10th sample food passed out, I realized I could help more than just my own circle of friends. Indeed, as strange as it might sound, I felt compelled to do so.

In June 2007 I started a food company to address head-on the number one reason I'd gotten myself into this: the lack of time to cook at home. I'm thrilled to be helping others benefit from what took me five years to learn and do!

Keith Lauver