Sly Bald Guys Forum
Confidence and Success => Fitness/Diet => Topic started by: jamesh75 on August 24, 2009, 08:50:04 AM
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So I'm 34, 5' 10", and 180 lbs. I do karate 2-3 times a week and run 2 times a week. I have been on blood pressure medication for the last 8-9 years. I just started seeing a new doctor about 6 months ago. My previous doctor hounded me about losing weight to get my blood pressure in check. The new doctor is telling me the same thing, but he is also concerned with my cholesterol numbers. I don't think it has so much to do with my weight, but what I eat. I really don't watch what I eat, and I do eat meat pretty much every day for lunch and dinner. I'm getting to my question...
At my doctors appointment on Friday, my doctor recommended a book called Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease. Heart disease and high blood pressure do run in my family. I just started reading the book, but it tells you no meat of any kind, no dairy products, no oils, and no nuts in your diet. This seems to be a bit extreme to me. But I do feel that maybe just cutting out the meat would help.
So here is my question. Have any of your changed to a vegetarian diet? If so, how hard was it for you to make the change. Did you make the change gradually or did you just take the plunge?
Thanks,
James
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You don't say if you are on any medications for cholesterol, what do you take, if anything? Does your bp medication work to control you nos?
The diet sounds like something a friend has to be on, but his bp was not under adequate control, his cholesterol, bad, was really high, and the good was low <45. 5 10 and 180 sounds reasonable, provided you don't have dunlop's disease--does your gut done lop over your belt?
Your exercise sounds a little soft to me at least. 5 times a week for 20-30 minutes of vigorous cardio--running, etc. is what I believe you should be shooting for, provided your overall health supports it. Bike just doesn't do it, the ellipitical is good if you have impact problems.
But he is your doctor, listen to him--bp has bad complications and it's really silent. You might be headed to a lot less meat and a lot more beans.
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I'm not on an medicine for the cholesterol, but I'm on dyazide for my BP. And the karate 2-3 times a week is an hour each night and I'm sweating my a@@ off. The running two times a week is normally a 5 miler one day and an 8-10 miler the other. So I'm not too concerned with my exercise program, really just my diet. And no, I don't have dunlop's disease, however I could lose 10 lbs or so.
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Then, considering you distances, I'd spread it out more to make it more a "daily" thing. Nothing wrong w/ the karate, but it's the running, and doing it on a more or less daily basis, that really pulls the weight off.
Does your medication adequately control you bp, if so that's okay, if not the dr may change it--no big deal. If your total cholesterol is >225, that makes them nervous. If diet doesn't bring it down usually they'll put you on statins.
I couldn't take them, they made me feel like a zombie, so I went to zetia, and it took it from >225 to 163, last reading w/ the good stuff>45 as it should be.
I also found an article someplace that said the bp meds and cholesterol meds work best if taken at night. It improved the performance of mine--all readings normal. Oh, I'm about your height, but I weigh 205, I lift weights 6 days a week, breaking the body parts into three work outs, and 20-30 minutes of elliptical at about 120-128 strides/minute. If I take a break, my weight shoots up about a pound every couple of days. Dr. is happy w/ my numbers. I eat meat, fish, but not many carbs except low glycemic types--i.e. oatmeal etc. Red wine--yes. My doctor is one of the authors of Sugar Busters--http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_0_13?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=sugar+busters+diet+book&sprefix=Sugar+Busters, it works great as a method of cooking and eating.
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I've been running about 8 years, and I used to run 4-5 days a week (30-35 miles per week). Now that my kids are 6 and 8, I just don't get the time to run. Constantly taking them to their activities and helping with homework, etc. That's why my running is only two days. I know that spreading it out would help, but I just can't seem to find the time. I know I need to "make" the time.
Yes, my BP is in check with the medicine I'm on. Normally about 120\75 or so. Bottom number is still a little high, but he doesn't want to change my prescription until I change my diet. My total cholesterol is right at 200, but I don't remember what the good was. I don't have the results in front of me. I have tried taking my BP medicine at night, but it keeps me up because it makes me pee ever half hour. So I take it in the morning after I get to work. My goal, as well as my doctors, is to get my cholesterol in check without medicine. And I do realize that changing my diet is going to have to be a life change, not just a change until my numbers are good. And my wife had agreed to change her diet with me, which will help.
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i dont eat much meat the thing is eat healthy meat like chicken baked or boiled white only turkey is good i got a book that states if it does not fly swim or grows in the ground dont eat it no dairy products i fill so much better and loosing weight only took a couple of weeks to start feeling better
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Yes, my BP is in check with the medicine I'm on. Normally about 120\75 or so. Bottom number is still a little high, but he doesn't want to change my prescription until I change my diet. My total cholesterol is right at 200, but I don't remember what the good was. I don't have the results in front of me. My goal, as well as my doctors, is to get my cholesterol in check without medicine. And I do realize that changing my diet is going to have to be a life change, not just a change until my numbers are good. And my wife had agreed to change her diet with me, which will help.
Maybe it's the age, I'm 64, and I only have to take the meds bc I have an additional factor, elevated blood sugar--used to be called borderline diabetes. My dr. said because of that, what would be acceptable bp as high as 130/80, and 200 cholesterol should be treated, along w/ lots of exercise to keep the sugar under 105, fasting, and an A1c under 6.0 Otherwise, w/o the sugar issue, I wouldn't be on any meds, just exercise and common sense eating--no margerine, minimal processed foods, low salt, use oils like olive oil, etc. Your doctor is strict--keep him away from me. ;D
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I've been a vegetarian for years (18 or so). I just did it - but I was pursuing a lovely vegetarian girl so I did have some motivation.
It's never been a huge issue for me, but I live on the West Coast. I have visited other parts of North America and finding vegetarian options in restaurants and grocery stores is harder in some areas than others -
Be warned that a lot of pre-preprared vegetarian options really are no healthier than the meat based product they hare meant to replace (Fake meats can be full of fats and salt). The really healthy stuff, ie tofu, is the kind of stuff that alot of people have to develop a taste for. If you don't like tofu and the other protien alternatives on the first go don't be put off, its probably got as much to do with how you prepared it as it does with the taste/texture (I tried eating tofu raw to start with, not good)
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Cholesterol here at 180 (with pills) and blood pressure (120/80) with pills. I just plain old watch what I eat nowadays however well-done french fries with scrambled eggs are a treat once in a blue moon.
Unfortunately, I had a slight heart attack 9 years ago. But I work out twice a week with a trainer and walk quite a bit.
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Thanks for the tips guys. I'm going to go at this gradually. I'm first going to force myself to add two additional runs in per week. And I'm going to cut out beef and pork from my diet right away. I'm also going to cut down on eating out. I was on the web searching nutritional ratings on some restaurants. WOW, I couldn't believe the sodium and cholesterol on some things I thought were healthy. Eventually, I may cut out the poultry and fish as well, but I don't know that I could go totally vegan and cut out dairy.
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Thanks for the tips guys. I'm going to go at this gradually. I'm first going to force myself to add two additional runs in per week. And I'm going to cut out beef and pork from my diet right away. I'm also going to cut down on eating out. I was on the web searching nutritional ratings on some restaurants. WOW, I couldn't believe the sodium and cholesterol on some things I thought were healthy. Eventually, I may cut out the poultry and fish as well, but I don't know that I could go totally vegan and cut out dairy.
There are different kinds of vegetarians, pescetarian eat fish and shellfish, and there are lacto-ovo vegetarians that drink milk and eat eggs. I was a lacto ovo vegetarian for 10 years until I couldn't afford the lifestyle [college] but plan to go back soon.
Fish is actually really healthy to eat in moderation, if you aren't going to eat fish I would recommend taking a high quality hemp oil supplement to get all your omega fatty acids
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Most vegetarians I know eat fish. Although the fish would argue with the decision that they are not meat.
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sounds like an advertisement not a member of the sly team.
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Ditto Marty22
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High blood pressure is a real pain in the arse! If you're on medication and your blood pressure is still high, your medicine isn't working so you may have to try something else..My bp meds have the opposite effect on me, the higher the dosage, the higher my bp goes up. That's why they make so many different blood pressure medicines so obviously one size doesn't fit all.
I'm a raw vegan and don't eat animal products or processed foods. I also drink two quarts of clean(chlorine free)water a day. The biggest problem I had was getting enough calories so had to eat more fruit because juices are out unless you juice it yourself(no additives). The one thing that had a profound effect on my blood pressure was the water but I'm still taking the bp medicine. The transition isn't hard. The hard part is getting used to the change though. It sure gets boring so I have a treat once in awhile. Hasn't done a thing for my high blood pressure though. I've been eating this way for a few years now and lost 40 pounds within the first three months. You need to see a nutritionist if you plan on taking that route to make sure you're getting your vitimens and protiens you need.
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jamesh75 no dairy isnt a big deal really. theres alternatives that you can get used to. right now im currently on a strict diet for my colitis. i dont eat dairy, gluten, oil, caffeine, or any beans. now THAT is hard to keep up with. they have lactose free milk and dairy products, as well as gluten free breads, as well as caffeine free drinks. so its really not hard to keep up with if needed.
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jamesh75 no dairy isnt a big deal really. theres alternatives that you can get used to. right now im currently on a strict diet for my colitis. i dont eat dairy, gluten, oil, caffeine, or any beans. now THAT is hard to keep up with. they have lactose free milk and dairy products, as well as gluten free breads, as well as caffeine free drinks. so its really not hard to keep up with if needed.
I can't stand soy milk, but vanilla rice milk is effing good, brother.
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they have regular lactose free milk too. its tastes identical to 2% milk in m opinion. im not gonna drink soy or rice milk if i dont have to haha.
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Eat cheerios. Haven't you seen the commercials. Two bowls a day for a month and it will go down 10%. O0
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they have regular lactose free milk too. its tastes identical to 2% milk in m opinion. im not gonna drink soy or rice milk if i dont have to haha.
Yep; you definitely don't want all that estrogen.
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Milk has both protien and calcium in it and that's unfortunate because the protien cancels out the calcium which is why they add vitimen e to some brands of milk to help the absorbtion of calcium. Egg whites and green leafy vegetables are much better. Better yet, drink a glass of orange juice you squeezed yourself for your calcium.
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vegan/vegetarian diets are only heart healthy till age 50, after that its all bets off. plus without protein, you wont stop carnosinase enzymes which contribute to wrinkling and other effects of glycation.
cranberry juice, and lots of it, can reverse atherosclerosis. id start there.
superoxide dismutase [SOD] and resveratrol are good to look into as well. they are supplements and in the care of the Res, can be had by drinking red wine.
not lots of that though... or maybe so?
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My wife decided to go veg about a year ago. Seeing how she does most of the cooking, that means I decided to pretty much do the same thing!
So....fast or slow. That really just depends on what you want to do. That being said, there are really some good options now.
Anyone interested in living a "more" meat free diet should definitely try out some of the (gah...it hurts to type this) food "products" made of Quorn. It is basically mushroom, but it's good stuff...as meat substitutes go.
But...as a good note...switching to this kind of diet has had a very good effect on my cholesterol. I still eat meat, but just a lot less. Add in oatmeal and some meds from your doctor and you may be surprised.
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I quit meat consumption in one day, never look back. It's a lot fantastic meatless products on a market nowadays , " QUORN ", for instance.
Most important thing, IMHO, if you decided to stop eating meat voluntarily, not under somebody's presure.
You can try a meditation also, work like a charm against high blood presure ( but only if you meditate constantly, every single day )
Hope it helps.
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I think a key to success when switching to a non standard american diet (the initials of which, many books advocating a more "natural" way of eating gleefully point out, spell SAD), is that you have to change how you think about eating. For example, if your definition of a proper meal is a huge piece of meat and some starch, then you'll never be happy on a vegetarian diet, no matter how much "smeet" or boca burgers you eat. As far as milk, I like all milk substitutes, but almond milk is my favorite. I only use milk on cereal anyway, so I'm not too picky (although don't be fooled into thinking you need milk as a calcium source... many vegetables -- dark green leafy ones especially - have lots of calcium).
I think you also have to really focus on variety. I was doing a raw diet at one point and I ended up eating spinach salad everyday for like 2 months. I just really liked it and once I got into the habit of buying the ingredients, it was easy and convenient. However, anything gets old after a while (except for steak and potatoes... unfortunately. Most people could eat that everyday and never complain). Try experimenting with new foods that you don't normally eat. If you like to cook, this can actually be fun.
From what I've read, a well planned vegetarian or vegan diet will furnish adequate protein and nutrients, despite what many people seem to think. There is a great book called Becoming Vegan (or something like that) with really great studies and data on protein and nutrient consumption by vegetarians. It's a great book packed with lots of info.
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What has worked very well for me is no red meat at all, ever. I eat a skinless chicken breast in one form or another each day at lunch, juice or water only fro breakfast. Sometimes just a Subway chicken teriyacki- no cheese, no sauce and veggies on whole wheat- very boring I know but it works or just a grilled chicken breast sandwich- no fries ever. Salmon once a week. If I need a snack in the afternoon it is a Zone bar.
I do take Crestor and Diovan/HCT for the last 2 years since I found my BP was getting super high. Went to an alternative MD who has me taking 6 to 8 Omega3 tabs each daily and I think even better Q10 of at least 400 milligrams. Q10 builds heart strength somehow and when you take a statin the liver does not make enough Q10. I do have some heart disease and it runs in my family. (Dad died at 50 overnight of heart attack) I do 2 hours of Step Class a week and some weight training. I can keep up with people half my age in the class so I know Im doing something right. My overall Chorl. is 129, bad 61 and good 55 this last time a few weeks ago as I recall. BP 120/80. I do drink a glass of flavored Light Soy milk, chocolate each night, no real milk but I eat cheese on pizza still. ALso an 81 mg Bayer aspirin each night with Phytosterols to lower cholst. These last results were some 30 points less than 8 months ago. My doctor cant understand it LOL. The alternative MD insists most disease is caused by Inflammation and he has given me other things like Myrhh, Berberine etc. to take but all with the goal of reducing all inflamation, even in arteries. The only fountain of youth is vigorous exercise and a I plan to do another day each week. Every few days we all need some vigorous exercise, even just fast walking. A couple years ago I was up to 180 and had reduced the cardio but increased weight lifting because I wanted to be a bulky football player type LOL. Had a bigger belly for sure and that is when the BP went super high. Now vary between 165 and 170 which seems to work better for my body and I am 5 10. Not sure if I want to risk stopping the BP meds yet. I also started Vitamin D at 5000 mill. each day. We all have a D deficiency and it also leads to a weaker immune system. I doctor I know insists we never need flu shots if we get enough D. So no flu shots for me this year and I never get sick. But some would say I have a boring diet LOL. My weakness is diet coke at lunch so I am not perfect. But do drink lemon flavored mineral water daily at home. Lemons restore PH balance which is another way to prevent illness Im told.
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I agree on Q10 Chicago. Im making a goal for 2010 to work at getting off my HTZ (water) pill. My family has a long history of high cholesterol for men, so the Crestor stays. Oh well!