I was at the doctor's with the hubby a couple of days ago. I always go in with him for his appointments because he forgets what the doctor says or doesn't ask stuff about his medications, etc. So we were both sitting there and I was next to the blood pressure machine and the nurse asked if she should take my blood pressure first so I said yes. My test results--from cholesterol to blood pressure to blood sugar, etc--ALWAYS come out great. This time my blood pressure was HIGH! It was 147/90 and I was shocked. So shocked that she redid it and again it read the same. So when the doctor came in, he talked to me as well as the hubby. He asked if I wanted medication for my high blood pressure and I said "noooooooo". High blood pressure is an old person problem! And then I realized that I am getting to be an old person. OMG! So I calmed down a bit and told the doctor that it was probably high because of my extremely sedentary lifestyle and my really crappy diet and that I would see what changes I could make myself. Here are the changes I have made in the last couple of days:
- I walked twice yesterday for 45 minutes each. I have always been really active until the last five years or so and I think this is the main cause of the problem so I have resolved to get more active. And I really have no excuse, the weather is beautiful and sunny here nearly every day of the year.
- I immediately stopped all junk food. No Baskin Robbins, no ice cream, no potato chips...just fruit. Cue the massive caffeine headache. Cue hubby commenting "here we go again."
- We will not be eating out nearly as often as before. Having worked in restaurants years ago, I know that almost all of the food that is served in restaurants is loaded with salt, sugar, fat, etc. in order to make it taste better than what you eat at home. It is super easy for us to eat out because all of the restaurants we go to are free with hubby's comps but by eating at home, we will really know what it is we are eating and can skip the high salt and added fat.
- De-stressing. I'm did some deep breathing but I have a head cold so that didn't work so well. I am also less stressed when I am not on the roads of Las Vegas (people drive like maniacs here and it is super stressful).
So mainly my plan is to exercise more and not eat junk food and see what happens after that.
Funny...the other night when my hubby and I were exercising, he said, "Today I really feel my age." Doing our 1 hour workouts every night is really super tough for the both of us this time around. Tonight we're skipping and just walking until it gets dark. Aging is not easy.
ReplyDeleteI'm starting to feel my age and then some! Im sure your walks will be better when you move to the south and have nice warm weather to walk in for most of the year!
DeleteIm going to sugest you check out the Dash diet. voted the best diet for like five years and its primary purpose is to lower blood pressure. Just remember that high blood pressure often doesnt have any "symptoms" so you do need to get it checked regularly even though you feel "fine".
ReplyDeleteThanks, I hadn't heard of that diet so I will give it a look. You are right about checking blood pressure often, I felt fine right up until the point when they told me I wasnt fine :I
DeleteOh I feel your paid you old bat can I join you? We will get our little rocking chairs and canes and sit together whack people who walk by and talk about the good old days!
ReplyDeleteLOL you are the busiest person I know! Just reading your blog makes me tired some days!
DeleteYep, it creeps up on us! Good luck with the lifestyle changes; you will fare well because you are frugal (and will make good meals on a budget) and you'll be able to be outdoors a lot!
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