Lifestyle

CHANGE LIFESTYLE

This is what I needed to do if I wanted to bring my blood pressure down to a normal level. So what changes did I make to get my blood pressure down from a risky level.

I listened to the things that the nurse had told me about different parts of my diet and what effect they had on my blood pressure and decided I was going to make the changes needed to sort it out.

Coffee was the first thing I changed, now I loved coffee but realized that I was drinking to much of it. I changed to decaf and only drank 1 cup per day rather than 8 or 9. In place of coffee I now drink green tea which is far better for me. It was hard for the first week but I soon adjusted and find now that some days I don’t even have 1 cup of coffee and I love the green tea.

Salt was the other thing I ditched, no more salt cellar on the table at meal times, again this was hard at first but after a few weeks I didn’t miss it any more.

Cigarettes and Alcohol, I wasn’t prepared to give these up. I know that is bad but I like them, but I was prepared to cut down a bit.  So instead of buying cigarettes I now buy Tobacco and roll my own, the reason is that  Apparently 2 cigarettes rolled from tobacco is like one normal cigarette so If that is true (not sure if it is) then I would cut my smoking in half just by rolling my own cigarettes. Also it is so much cheaper. I have cut down on the amount of beer and wine I consume a week, probably by about half.

Probably the biggest change in my lifestyle is that I now exercise regularly. I work out 3 to 4 times per week and am enjoying it. I couldn’t believe when I first started though how unfit I had become, but I certainly have stepped up my fitness levels now. I also eat a lot more fruit and vegetables than I did, so this is probably helped as well.

Before I made these changes to my lifestyle my blood pressure was way to high and I was at risk of a stroke or worse. Now my blood pressure is normal and I intend to keep it there.

I will continue to look for ways to keep it down and I will share anything I discover here on this site.