Setbacks...I'm REALLY frustrated...
If you read my profile you know that since becoming vegan good things have been happening with my body. My weight has dropped from 297 to 237 (checked yesterday at doctors office) that's 60lbs in about 8 weeks. For that I am very happy...
But...this weekend I had a nagging headache all weekend long. Monday when I went to work a coworker who happens to be a nurse, suggested that I check my bloodpressure. I did, it was 161/100!!! I was so upset. I thought my bloodpressure was finally under control and the doctor took me off of all my medicine. Now, I'm right back on them. :( I really don't like taking medicines.
The doctor did offer hope that if I continue in the way that I am going that he feels my bloodpressure will regulate and we can try to come off of meds again in the future....
So until then, I guess I'm back to the stupid meds.
I agree that congrats are in order! 60 pounds in 8 weeks! Thats incredible- good job!
As for the bloodpressure, is there any way to pinpoint what it is thats causing it? I'm not too well versed in that sort of thing, but isn't it caused by diet and stress? Are there natural ways to lower it?
Just brainstorming, although I'm sure you've thought through all this by now!
Congrats again! And cute dog!
Strange as it sounds your BP may not be strictly diet related. There are other factors, such as genetics, stress, chronic pain, etc. If you're under medical supervision for your wieght, surely they've done bloodwork etc? The high BP could be an indicator for something else. If they haven't, ask for a full physical to find the root of this.
Don't know what your work is...but it could be contributing a lot of stress? My vacation starts next week and I am ready for it...I just realised that the extreme overtiredness I've been suffering is closely related to the days I have a particular student for a private class...she just basically sucks the life out of me! (She has a very negative attitude and is very demanding and borderline rude all the time.) Fortunately she finishes her class on Friday...and I intend to go out for a relaxing cold beer and celebrate!! I didn't see the link unitl my DH took me out for a walk in the park to get me to calm down and cheer up...he said, "I can tell E. has been here--you need some air."
Hey, thanks for all of the quick response. :) I think my blood pressure may regulate itself in time. It got so high because of the weight...297 is huge. Even at 237, I am still considered obese. Maybe when I get down to about 165-170 and am exercising on a more regular basis it will become normal...I hope. As far as stress, I don't think I'm overly stressful. I find most stress producing situations as somewhat humorous..*ok, I'm kinda weird that way*...I'm not talking about death or illness, just the office type of situations that seem to get people flying off the handle.
Although, I could always use a vacation...St. Pete is sounding pretty good about now...*hmmmm*, I'll keep you all posted about the weight loss and bp thing. In the meantime if anyone has any suggestions please let me know. I have been dabbling in yoga but at this time I find I am still way to inflexible.
congrats on the weight loss!! That's awesome! :) Try not to be so hard on yourself ~ take one step/one issue at a time. No one becomes completely healthy overnight. ;)
Way to go on the weight loss, that is no small feat!
I recently read an article on blood pressure (my husband has high BP too) It suggested drinking 4 oz. of 100% pomegranate juice once a day. There was a study on this and the participants lowed there BP quite a bit. Also, watch out for salt. I think the American Heart Association has a recipe for a salt-free "salt." Good luck, and again, good job!!! :)
Congrats on your weight loss and taking charge of your own health!!! You really lost a lot of weight quickly!! Your body probably has a lot of adjusting to do. I'm sure you already know that salt consumption, smoking, stress, and being inactive all increase your chances of having high blood pressure...I'm definetly not an expert, but if you were taking THREE medications & stopped cold turkey, I would kindof expect your blood pressure to be too high. Maybe you should gradually reduce them one by one eh?
Hey, thanks for all of the quick response. :) I think my blood pressure may regulate itself in time. It got so high because of the weight...297 is huge. Even at 237, I am still considered obese. Maybe when I get down to about 165-170 and am exercising on a more regular basis it will become normal...I hope. As far as stress, I don't think I'm overly stressful. I find most stress producing situations as somewhat humorous..*ok, I'm kinda weird that way*...I'm not talking about death or illness, just the office type of situations that seem to get people flying off the handle.
Although, I could always use a vacation...St. Pete is sounding pretty good about now...*hmmmm*, I'll keep you all posted about the weight loss and bp thing. In the meantime if anyone has any suggestions please let me know. I have been dabbling in yoga but at this time I find I am still way to inflexible.
Don't give up on the yoga just yet! It is great for controlling blood pressure, especially inversions. You don't have to be super flexible or skinny to get the benefits. One really good/easy thing to do is lie on the floor with your legs up the wall. Having your feet above your heart is good for blood pressure. Lie like this for as long as it's comfortable (if I have a headache, I try to do it for 15-20 minutes).
Congrats on the 60lbs! :)
Congratulations on the 60 pounds. That's impressive!
See if your eating anything with cholesterol if your not then it's genetics I would say.
Here's my two cents about medicine. I think taking medicine is okay. I'll be taking hypothyroid pills daily for the rest of my life and I'm okay with that. I'm also for medicine even when something like blood pressure or cholesterol is lifestyle-derived. It's good in the interim while you're making healthy changes in your life. It's the people who would rather take the pill to mask the symptoms than address the cause of the symptoms that give medicine a bad name.
Is it possible that the high blood pressure is a result of white coat syndrome? I know that when I go to the doctor's office my bp shoots up because I hate going there. They've wanted me to go on bp meds and I refused since my bp is low/normal any other time.
Is it possible that the high blood pressure is a result of white coat syndrome? I know that when I go to the doctor's office my bp shoots up because I hate going there. They've wanted me to go on bp meds and I refused since my bp is low/normal any other time.
Excellent point, Mirrya. You can buy an at home blood pressure machine for around $40 I believe. My dad has one...and when I test with his as opposed to the doctor's office, it is always lower.
I know how you feel. I went off my cholesterol medication after being vegan for a while and my numbers shot back up. I guess it's genetic. Sucks, but it's just the way it is.
Is it possible that the high blood pressure is a result of white coat syndrome? I know that when I go to the doctor's office my bp shoots up because I hate going there. They've wanted me to go on bp meds and I refused since my bp is low/normal any other time.
Excellent point, Mirrya. You can buy an at home blood pressure machine for around $40 I believe. My dad has one...and when I test with his as opposed to the doctor's office, it is always lower.
Hey DeuceO, I don't think it would be "white coat syndrome", my doctor and I are actually good friends. He's also a vegetarian which is very cool. So usually when I go see him it is more of a chat session. I'm inclined to think that I haven't given the changes enough time to show effect yet. 25 years of mostly unhealthy eating and being stationary probably takes some time to correct. I'm just impatient and want it all NOW. I'm not giving up though...
Lisaanddini wrote: I'm sure you already know that salt consumption, smoking, stress, and being inactive all increase your chances of having high blood pressure...
Thanks for your response. I never use a salt shaker and seldom buy prepared foods, so the only salt I use is actually in the recipe. ( Even then I cut back quite a bit from what most recipes say because I'm very conscious of salt. ) And I quit smoking about 25 years ago...thank god. As far as stress, I'd say it is pretty minimal. I have a great job in a nice office and work at my own pace, and as I stated earlier, I find a lot of stress producing situations as humorous...don't know why, I just always laugh them off. Take for instance today. The IT guy told me that he accidentally lost my entire work for the last two weeks and then wanted to know why I was not upset. I asked him, if I was upset would it get my work back? No. So I just let it go. He explained to my boss what happened and everything is cool. I'll just do it again.
Now being inactive, there you are on to something. I don't know when or why I ever quit being active...I could just kick myself. I'm trying to get active now though. Just a week ago I played racquetball for the first time in 25 years?...I have lived an inactive lifestyle for to long. It's like I just woke up and started living again. :)
the high BP was probably due to the fact that you had stepped away from vegweb for the day, and you were going thru withdrawl. ;D
seriously though, as others have said, no one gets healthy overnight, and your progress has been amazing! i know its frustrating, but keep your eye on the prize, keep your head up, if at first you dont succeed.... (any other cliches? :))
nah...you're doing good, you!
:)
It must be disheartening, but keep in there. I've also lost quite a bit of wieght but it took me MUCH longer and now I find that I've plateau'ed completely. But I'll keep going with it too - maybe try and cut out a little more oil. Your med situation will almost certainly sort itself out as you lose more weight. Good for you for making and sustaining the chnages though!