So, my blood pressure is still high, even after having Nathan and after following up with an internist, I was ordered to make some lifestyle changes. No big deal since I'm not that big of an offender right? WRONG!
Change 1-Cut back on the caff. Okay-so I had done very well for quite some time. I would only have my little mocha in the morning and I would be done. Then, I had Nathan. I became more dependent on caffeine to get through the day. So, after almost one week of reverting back to the one-a-day plan, I'm alright with it...mostly.
Change 2-"Exercise," she said. HA! HA! HA! NO THANK YOU! First, I hate it and second, I hate it. "Minimal...even walking," she continued. Okay. I'm on board with that. I do lots of walking at work and when it isn't raining outside, we usually go for a family walk. In the last week, I've been not that great. I went walking one day, mowed the grass another (doesn't that count for two?), ran around the grocery store and Wal-Mart in the same day (can that count?) and okay, okay! I need to do better.
Change 3-Cut back on the salt. Big deal! "I never add salt to my food and I don't think I eat really salty foods anyway." BOY WAS I FREAKING WRONG! They recommend a daily allowance of 2400 mg of sodium. Count up what you eat and see how you're doing. You might be surprised. I know Tib and Jess won't be surprised at all! :)
So, I figured out that my normal frozen lunch was over 1/2 the daily allowance and decided to switch to Healthy Choice. BLEAH! Sure it is 1/3 the salt, but come on! I would love to pack a nice healthy lunch every day, but will I have the time. I guess I'll have to make time...just like the exercising garbage.
I hope when I go back in three weeks, my efforts will show in my reading. :) I DO NOT want to be put on medicine.
Well, I hope you are all enjoying your delicious lunches of wavy lays, french onion dip and slim jims. :) IF not, have some for me.
8 comments:
well dadgum! that sucks. hope it works, though!
I hope it works. I exercise all the time, but I couldn't cut caffeine out, maybe I could cut back but not out and salt? I love it, couldn't get rid of it. Good luck to you.
Jess, that stinks. I hope you can control it with diet. Maybe get one of those little pedeometers and wear it and see how many steps you take in a day? I'll bet you walk more than you think.
Anything prepackaged it going to have insane amounts of salt or sugar (or both!). And corn syrup is in practically everything these days. Short of eating all whole foods - nothing processed - I'm not sure how to avoid any of the big baddie food additives. I love coffee too! I drink decaf a lot, can you tell a difference?
Well, CRAPPOLA! That really stinks. :o( I don't know which is worse, the caffeine or the exercise. UGH.
Good luck!
It is eye-opening, isn't it... for me I would pick exercise over everything else because I love it more than having to sacrifice elsewhere - it helps me sleep good. But the salt thing, and well, the caffeine thing.. that would be tough! Hang in there!
I hope this does the trick. I really am not surprised by the sodium at all! And I can totally relate on the caffeine - I really need to cut back myself
Good luck! I am keeping things crossed that it goes down! :)
eat oatmeal... in everything! It'll fill you up and help with the low salt regime...
What your doctor is telling you now he'll be telling you again when you are 60. Then, you'll do it to live, whereas now you will do it to avoid health-related risks, such as premature stroke, and damage to blood vessels. High blood pressure is the number one factor predisposing someone to stroke. I'm glad your doctor has set the standards here, and Jess dear I hope you follow the prescription. Team up with ANYONE who will support you in these changes.
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