Not many people are aware of cholesterol levels.

Many get tested when they're overweight, on the brink of a heart attack or when they're feeling unwell. Some are too late and if you're like me, you get tested because you've recieved the family gene.

My grandfather had two heart attacks and five bypasses in open-heart surgery and my dad had a heart attack two years ago at the age of 43.

Everyone else in my family has normal cholesterol, but mine is at 6.4 which is a worry.

Last month after getting a test, I decided I was going on a strict three month diet and exercise plan to lower it .... but to be honest, I've been a shocker.

I'm in my final year at AUT studying journalism and I also work every week to pay the bills - there hardly seems time in the day to relax, let alone get on a treadmill for 30 minutes a day (although that statement seems ridiculous when I type it).

I'm not going to lie - straying from scrumptious pastries and fast food is also hard (learning about oxycholesterol made this easier - see Real-life reads).

But this month's e-zine will help you to understand cholesterol and it's effects. It should also inspire you to exercise more frequently and it will give tips for a low cholesterol diet, as well as teaching you how to understand cholesterol levels on food labels

The realisation I've come to with my cholesterol was inspired by Andrew White in Real-life reads. He says: "It's how you should be living anyway."

The only thing tha havingt high cholesterol requires of you is to look after your body - feed it with fuel rather than fat and to keep it fighting fit. We should be only too happy to oblige.

Jenha White