You now, if someone told me a year ago I'd be the one starting this thread, I'd have called the guys in the white coats and told them to bring their big butterfly nets.
It's been almost a full year since my heart attack. The first few months were spent doing rehab and getting the old pumper back up to speed and dealing with the Type 2 Diabetes.
Last week, my doctor gave me the results of my latest blood tests. With a big smile, she told me I'd cut my cholesterol in HALF in just 3 months, from 160 to 80. Just as good news was seeing my Glycemic Index score go from 8.9 to 7.2 during the same period. Just .2 to go to reach my goal.
Last weigh in had me at 209 pounds, a far cry from the 248 of last summer.
Still thumpin' Rapid
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Hey Ray..Glad to hear of your progress!!!
At this end Shirley "The Nazi" declared that "we" were quiting smoking 5 weeks ago.
Soooo...5 weeks smoke free. I guess my lungs think it is good, but the funny thing is, my blood pressure has not gone down like they say it should. Food still tastes the same as always. I don't think that cholesteral is related to smoking?
So far, after 5 weeks, the only benefit of not smoking is the monetary savings.
I guess that is good though...more money for beer!!! Posted by Barb. Shortreed (Member # 1730) on :
Great news Ray keep up the good work Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Ray, so cool that you started this thread! I'm absolutley thrilled that you took your wakeup call and made such strides in reversing things for yourself ... that is the ultimate!!!
I'm pluggin along here in hot and humid Florida. Been working outside alot lately, and it's draining. But, for me, it beats being freezing cold, so I'm good with it. Besides, I'm grateful to have alittle bit of work. Money has been tight.
Still biking and power walking, and still eating well. Trying not to over think or over stress things.
Please jump in folks and let us know how things are in your world.
~ nettie
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Hey Dave, quiting the smokes is BIG! Kudos to you and Shirley. That's super!
Posted by Lawrence Armstrong (Member # 8336) on :
Made lots of changes here. Major diet changes for starters. I now do an hour of weight training every morning and a 5k walk every evening. Dropped 25 lbs in two months and have had my Glycemic Index score go from 12.0 to 7.3. Got a nice "atta boy" from my doc.
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
I just joined a gym last month and have been trying to do a regular routine. I always shunned those places because of all the muscle-boys and steroid freaks, but this one is just down the road, costs $10 a month, and has lots of other old geezers in there working out.......
Posted by Brent Logan (Member # 6587) on :
I started doing Yoga type exercises first thing in the morning for my bad back and it's giving me more relief than the chiropractor (and cheaper). After that I fast walk outside for a half hour. I'm trying to stay off the sugar and the carbs.
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Saturday morning, I got up, walked into the bathroom and suddenly the room started spinning. I thought, "I need to sit on the edge of the tub" and before I could even start to do so, I passed out. It was like flipping a switch. I dropped straight down, rolling both ankles under. After a minute or so on the floor, I got up and thirty seconds later the same thing happened. I ended up with two sprained ankles, a pulled hamstring and a bruised knee. I've been hobbling around this week with Das Boot on my right foot and using a cane--but at least I can get good parking spaces now!
The doctor ruled out stroke and blood clot and decided my electrolytes were off since I've been drinking about a gallon of liquid a day since my major surgery in June. I haven't been drinking sports type drinks since I can't stand the flavor--after all, if Gatorade is to replace what is lost through exertion, isn't it just lime flavored sweat?
Now, I have to force down about two liters a day of the electrolyte drinks and I haven't passed out since.
It just hasn't been my summer, but at least I'm helping keep the medical profession in business.
Posted by Dale Manor (Member # 4858) on :
Hi Ray,
Glad to hear your are turning things around for yourself.
David, sounds pretty scary, I hope you get feeling better really soon.
I decided recently to change my health habits before a wake-up call does it for me. A couple weeks ago I changed my eating habits and started to exercise a bit more.
Cut out soda pop, boxed cereals, less red meat, more fish, less fatty foods in general, more fruits and veggies, more whole grains.
I managed to loose 8 pounds over the last 2 weeks. Hopefully I can start doing a bit more cardio and get a few more pounds off.
Good luck and good health to everyone!
Posted by Len Mort (Member # 7030) on :
Ray Glad to hear you are progressing, It's a great life if you don't weaken!
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Great Job Ray !! Been swearing off sugar and soda's for a week...trying to watch what I eat....easing into mild exercise.... hope to lose a few, etc.
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
Ray, that is awesome! I am so glad for you!
Dave, that is great you both quit smoking! Hey, walking 30 minutes a day WILL drop your blood pressure, try it.
Dave, maybe I should carry a bottle of Gatorade with me when I walk.
Dale, 8 pds in 2 weeks? How'd you do that?
Posted by Russ McMullin (Member # 5617) on :
It's good to see people making so much progress on their goals.
Today I went running on the high school track. I have been doing intervals of running and walking, with 1 mile being about the longest continuous run. Most days I do 5 miles of running and walking. Today I decided to test myself. I started out with a mile run, and then extended it to two. I was still feeling good, so I pushed it to 4 miles. I could have kept going, but didn't want to push myself too hard. A year ago that kind of running would have been impossible.
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
Way to go Ray, I am proud of you. Keep it up and you will be around to enjoy your grandchildren. Bill
Posted by Deri Russell (Member # 119) on :
I finally hit my goal weight and have kept it at that for 9 weeks now. Weight Watchers has been very very good to me! I can't believe I have done every diet/exercise regiment imaginable and once I lost the weight it would just come back. But this time it appears to be working. YES.
And guess what the problem was- I didn't eat breakfast. In fact I didn't usually eat anything until about 4 in the afternoon. Now by 4 I have eaten 3 times. What a difference. And all of the things we talk about at Weight Watchers- I knew them all. I just wasn't doing them.
Duh.
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Brent, I want to put some yoga into my fitness routine, and some weights. Thanks for the nudge.
Russ, here's to pushing ourselves past our own boundaries! Cool beans!
I'm loving this thread this month, and hope more get on the band wagon. Doesn't it feel great to be making some progress?
You folks are great! ~ janette
Posted by Kathy Weeks (Member # 10828) on :
Great thread Ray! Sometimes we (I) get into the routine of putting my customer jobs before a little health and fitness. I know I should be at least taking a quick walk everyday, but never do. I'm no Spring chicken, so need to work on the ol' engine and chasis to keep it going a few more years. Any inspiration is good - keep us on the health kick, Ray and Dave! Good for you Dave! I've seen many friends and relatives try to quit smoking, and I think it's one of the hardest things to overcome. But, it can be done, and you will be so thankful to yourself for doing it for yourself. Don't let those tobacco companies own you - you're better than that! Keep up the encouragement, gang - I think I'll take a walk, tomorrow (it's dark out here - and we have black bears in the neighborhood!)
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