Posted on 06/29/2011 7:50:49 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Went to my doctor for the first time in awhile and got some bad news. My A1C blood sugar was almost 12 and my blood pressure averaged about 190/110. They wanted to admit me right then and there, but instead gave me a shopping bag full of medications. Since my wife had her stroke I haven't really been taking care of myself and now it's come to a head. If I don't do a complete 180 I'll be dead before the year is out. I have committed to mall walking (exercising) seven days a week for 30 minutes a day and cutting my carbs and sugars drastically. Please pray for me or think of me as I try to save my own life. Thanks!
The idea of exercise is to do in in such a manner which has the least risk to injure. Softer and level trails to not hammer at the joints like concrete and especially re-enforced concrete does. Been there done it and walk with a cane and corrective insoles now. Orthepedic Doc told be to use dirt trails as much as possible. I can walk a few miles on a good trail. But I can't walk from one end of a Walmart to the other without causing pain. It makes a difference.
Cut the carbs by 90%, and go to the weight room. You’ll feel like a whole new man.
That plus the blood pressure meds took me from about 165 / 110 to 120 / 80, my sugar from 116 to 108 (the first reduction in my life), and my total cholesterol from 265 to about 190.
Go there. Read the recipes and eat that. You’ll lose weight, the food is good, and you’ll get your A1C down to 6 in no time.
You need to watch your carb intake like a hawk; no more than 15g / meal / two hours.
Your A1C is because you’re spiking your blood sugar. You need to get yourself a glucose tester and test yourself to find out what’s doing it.
You’re going to learn how to read the label. And you’re going to have to make choices: bread w/spaghetti? No. Spaghetti? Depsnds. What kind of pasta? Pop w/dinner? If you only want to drink 4 oz. Ice cream? Well, how ever many oz amounts to 15g 2 hours AFTER dinner. Milk w/cereal? How much carb in each? Can’t go over 15 g.
Chips for lunch? 10 chips and you’re done, nothing else for 2 hours (unless its carb free).
You have my prayers and personal best wishes. Drink water like it’s dollars going into your pocket the next few months.
How many people do you know that have so many friends who you have never formally met, but know you, care about you and will be praying for you. You will do great. God will be walking that mall with you and we all will be here cheering you on. Blessings!
prayers up for you Vet, keep walking and taking the meds, my wife had a stroke a couple of months ago, so I know how you feel, but you have to take care of yourself
Yeouch. I can't take walking in heat either. Search for an older gym with A/C & wooden floors maybe. Another idea is can you swim? Seriously it does much less impact on the joints and you get a lot more workout in a shorter period of time.
This sounds to me like the perfect excuse to get yourself some shiny new mobile gadgets to help you post while you’re on the go.
My prayers are with you. We need you around here, FRiend. :)
Prayers up.
Educate yourself about effective exercise, hearts rates, bpm recovery, etc, and of course a food plan that’s tasty and healthy for you.
In my experience, exercise helps to control the untethered appetite. And be patient with the exercise. You’ll have both easy and tough days, but on average, your routine will definitely improve over time. The psychological benefits can be immediate.
Make sure you consult your physician about your intentions. No sense doing it the wrong way.
I am with you, buddy. Prayers!
You can do the walking thing. Take as many steps as you're comfortable with a couple of times a day. Increase it by a few more steps each day.
And ALWAYS remember how many FRiends care about and appreciate you:)
I can swim but the apartment people don’t clean the pool but maybe once a year (I wish I was kidding) so don’t know if that’s a good idea.
Love you and your wife. We need you to be on your game. Walk. Go up and down stairs. If you can’t walk the mall, walk your grocery store, just keep moving. I am older than you but at your age I had terrible numbers and I just started moving, not sitting, just moving. Clean out the garage, the living room, the bedroom, just move. Don’t drink soda, coffee with cream, do drink water or tea. Don’t eat chips eat yogurt. Take fish oil tablets and joint tablets like Triple Flex. You can also think of the exercises you did while in service to our Country and do those when you can. Bread is a problem, eat sandwiches on pita bread preferably a Flax,OatBran, whole wheat pita bread with low sodium turkey and a low sodium cheese.
God Bless you and your dear wife and may you live a long time.
Prayers up for you and your wife. Sorry about the health report.
I read recently about new studies concerning a substance called ursolic acid found in apple peal that tests have shown to reduce muscle atrophy, control blood sugar and cholesterol and blood pressure. The old apple a day thing might have some validity.
http://www.sciencenewsline.com/medicine/2011060810440003.html
Hang in there my FRiend. God be with you.
You’ll have my prayers. But thirty minutes of walking a day is not going to do it for you, dude. I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to work a lot harder than that to get the weight down and the blood sugar under control. You can do it, though! You’re a vet!
sent...Too many people need you around.
Dude, I went through this about 12 years ago when I was 45.
I was 315 pounds, sedentary, BS (A1C) of 11, BP ok, but nothing to write home about, and average cholesterol.
Now, at 57, my BS is at about 7, BP low, 260 pounds, and I feel great.
The difference? Stay away from carbs as much as possible, exercise daily (I ride 24 miles to and from work on my bike) and limit the use of diet drinks and such. Avoid all sugary stuff.
Now granted, I didn’t get here over night. I started with walking, then to hiking, and bike riding. I still have 30 pounds to lose, and I have reduced my intake of meds, so there is still work to be done.
Keep at it. What helps me is using an Ipod or Iphone to play music as I walk and ride. It helps me to go further.
Exercise is what I need too. Might be a good idea to get your own blood pressure machine. It’s not too expensive and it lets you know how you’re doing.
Hoping to see you here for years ...
Prayers offered up for your return to good health. Take advantage of the fresh fruit and veggies offered at the summer farmers markets and cut your salt intake, walk, drink lots of water, spend time in prayer and please take care of yourself, you are on the right path, good luck.
My prayers going up for you my friend- read psalm 30
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