As I'd described in my last post about starting my weight loss journey, I have been working for the last few months to make some positive changes in terms of my weight (and health in general). I don't have the best genes, but I also don't make the best decisions in terms of what I put into my body. I've been doing well tracking my total calories and exercising at least twice a week, but haven't really done much to make sure what I'm eating isn't just low calorie, but high awesomeness.
Luckily, I work for a fantastic employer that runs a program to try to educate their employees about their health risks. One of the ways they do this is by offering a basic health assessment (blood pressure check, free lab draw, etc). So me, the girl who has been working for a bit to improve my health, thought it would be a good idea to get some "baseline" values.
This is what I found:
My average blood pressure over the last month (I've been checking it once or twice a week) is 150/101 ("normal" is 120/80). EEK!
My Cholesterol is 269. It is considered "high risk for heart disease" at over 200.
Moral of the story....Crappers.
google.com
Now, as many of you know, I am a nurse. Not only am I a nurse, I am a cardiac nurse. There is nothing more disturbing than seeing a young person (someone in their 20s, 30s, or 40s) have a stroke or a significant heart issue. Unfortunately, with those labs and vital signs, I am significantly more likely to be one of those cases.
So...what am I going to do?
After a LONG conversation with my PCP (Primary Care Provider-aka: my regular doctor), we have decided to focus on lifestyle changes and also start me on medication. Now, before you begin a medication (especially young ladies), it is VERY IMPORTANT you have a good conversation with your doc about it. Blood pressure med and cholesterol meds have slews of side effects, and can be very expensive. They also can be unsafe if you plan to get pregnant (which is part of the reason the doctor and I chose the meds for me we did). The decision for us was based on the fact that I have both issues occurring, and that my BP change was pretty sudden (a few months ago I was only slightly above the normal range). In addition to the meds and lifestyle changes, I will be having blood work done and an ultrasound done on my kidneys to see if that is the cause of my BP spike.
For me, I think the meds are a necessary evil at this time. However, I do not like the fact that I currently require not one, but TWO med boxes. So for me, I am going to really, REALLY focus on lifestyle changes. I am going to be a good girl. Well, I've been a good girl, but I am going to be the BEST girl (and still have a life). You guys are going to help hold me to it. Deal? Deal! I am going to track my intake on this blog, and I hope, hope, HOPE that at least one of you can learn something from this journey I will be taking.
So from here on out-this blog will primarily serve as/house:
example recipes/menus (particularly for those who live alone...it is tricky to cook for one!)
sample exercise routines
a place for me to track what I'm doing, and hold myself accountable
...other awesomeness (stress management, home organization, etc)
For those of you who are like me, fairly healthy but apparently NOT healthy, or for those of you who are healthy and want to stay that way: stick with me. Talk with me. Let me know how I can help you and tell me when I'm full of crap.
Anywho-now I am off to the store to get the beginnings of the first few days of food-get excited! I am!
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