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May 23, 2007
what's been going on....
Click on the extended entry if you are prepared for a long and rambling post.....
So, what’s been up with me? My health. Don’t worry, things are OK. Last December I had a heart attack scare. One Saturday afternoon I felt a pressure (and pain) on my chest. I thought maybe it was heartburn (although, I’d never experienced that before so what did I know?) or something that wouldn’t last long. After 30 minutes it didn’t let up and it was hard to breath I turned to nbh and said, “Let’s go to the emergency room.” 24 hours of tests, staying in the stupid hospital overnight they basically decided they had no idea what happened. It stopped hurting, mostly, by the time I got home on Sunday (the pressure had stopped sometime in the night). My heart appeared fine there were no signs on the ECG, blood tests, etc. that I was experiencing (or had) a heart attack. Was it an anxiety attack? Who knows. Anyway, I went home.
The bad news was that my blood pressure was high the whole time. So I went on blood pressure meds. Darn. I really didn’t want to go down that path. But both biological parents had it, so I was definitely at risk. Anyway, I was meeting my new primary care for a physical at the end of January so decided to wait until then to address all this stuff. He and I had a great conversation. He’s awesome. Anyway, he agreed to keeping me on the high blood pressure meds but that I should exercise more frequently (I’m not a complete couch potato folks!), eat healthy (I do for the most part!) and lose weight. And then let’s see how it goes in 3-6 months, Maybe we’ll be able to take me off the meds (I so want that to happen). I realized I should focus on these things seriously.
The final determination as to if I had a heart attack was to do a stress test to see if there was any damage. He wasn’t convinced I needed to do that, but I wanted to just in case (especially since my birth father had his first heart attack at 50 and eventually died of one at 59). Cut to the chase: I did not have a heart attack, everything looks great and who knows what that episode was back in December. Yay.
I also had the normal blood workup for my physical and except for my overall cholesterol being 209 (out of normal range), everything else was in normal range. This is good, cause it can be worse that that, yanno. However, it appears I’m slightly anemic. I’ve added iron to my daily vitamin regimen and I go in for a re-test soon to see if that’s the problem.
So. I’m overweight, borderline high cholesterol and on high blood pressure medicine. Early freakin’ signs of not so good things to come.
Mid March I started focusing on my health seriously, not half-heartedly. I decided to suspend blogging (Sides, I was getting bored with it). Not that it takes up a huge amount of time. It was just another thing to apply energy to that could be focused on my health instead.
I renewed my efforts to go to the gym (or do something active) 5-6 times a week. And for the first time, I started tracking calories. I’d never done that before. I also decided not to follow any sort of menu plan that could be found in a multitude of books and online sources. I would count calories based on what I normally eat instead. I would definitely make sure I had the right grains, fruits, veggie and meat portions, but it would be on my terms, not some laid out plan. Turns out that approach is working for me. Calories in, calories burned.
Let me tell you, I thought I had been eating healthy (and to an extent I had….I haven’t eaten fast food except two, maybe three occasions in the past six years, I started an “adopt a veggie a year” program almost ten or so years ago – hehe -, etc.) and it turns out, for the most part I was eating healthy. What I wasn’t doing was really paying attention to portion control. Holy c**p did I eat a lot of food. And it turns out I don’t need to eat a lot of stuff in order to make it through the day. My stomach really is okay with 4oz of chicken, lots of veggies and a portion controlled size of whole grains for dinner. In other words, I don’t need to eat a huge piece of meat in order to feel full. My eyes lie. I also don’t deny myself foods I like.
Course, all of this is what all doctors and nutrionists tell you when you read the articles. It’s not like I didn’t know this before.
Anyway, the upshot is that I’ve lost 13 lbs. I’m not perfect. I still fall off the wagon. But now I get back on it immediately instead of wallowing in self pity about getting off the wagon. I’m stronger cause of going to the gym and have included strength training. I feel good. The hardest part of course is going out to dinner with friends, party and travel. But yanno, I’m not going to deny myself. That’s no fun. I just don’t beat myself up about it if I do stuff myself silly. I’m also having delusions of maybe entering a 5K in the fall (wanna join me?). We’ll see. I don’t want to overwhelm myself with stuff. Especially since this is going to be a stressful summer for me with work, travel and I’m taking a college course (I took the winter semester off). So if my blog entries taper off occasionally, it’s probably because I’m busy. Course, I’m sitting here wondering if by publicly stating all this I’ll be jinxing myself. Stop. Thinking. So. Much.
I’m excited to go see the doctor soon and not only check on my anemia, but also see how the blood pressure and cholesterol are shaping up. Maybe they’ll have improved?! If not, hopefully that’ll encourage me to continue this trend instead of getting discouraged because there is no improvement. We’ll see. Who knows. Just glad to feel better.
As I’ve said before, I freakin’ love my cpap device. I think that’s been a huge reason why I’m being successful. I’m getting the rest I need at night. Hallelujah.
And finally, nbh has been awesome. Here’s one of my favorite support stories: We're sitting around on a Sunday, lazying about, and we decided to order chinese delivery for lunch. We ordered the lunch combos. Well, about 15 minutes into waiting for the delivery I decided that I'd been eating out way too much and I needed to fix a less calorie laden lunch (especially since I was afraid I’d pig out). So I said, "I’m going to make my own lunch. You can have my lunch for dinner tonight and I'll fix myself something then too.” His response: "OK. What did you get so I know what I'm eating for dinner?" HAHAHA
Cheers.
Posted by jennj at May 23, 2007 02:30 PM
Clue-ments:
Congratulations on the 13 pounds!! Yow. Good Job.
I am glad the CPAP is working out well. Dad likes the results from using his CPAP device.
I am in for the 5k, if you are doing it.
Posted by: debra at May 24, 2007 12:20 AM
Deb - Thanks! The 5k I'm thinking of is a part of the Applefest faire day in Northborough, MA (about 20 minutes from our house, 5 minutes from donna and bob). It's Sept. 15.
I'm not committing just yet, but I did run for a bit on the treadmill last night.....I'll know by the end of July if I'm going to do it or not. If I can keep this up until the end of July, then I've truly changed my life around. And the reason I say that is because June and July are going to be hella busy (potential two week trip to Amsterdam thrown in there). Not allowing work to interfere with my progress is going to be key for me. I did manage to hit the fitness center 4 out of the 10 days I was on a business trip to San Antonio a few weeks ago. I don't think I've ever done that before. I take my gym clothes with me on business trips, but I never seem to use them. Hehe.
Posted by: cf at May 24, 2007 06:22 AM
I like the 5K idea. Can I join you if I can?
Posted by: Ape at May 24, 2007 08:42 AM
In all seriousness, can I suggest 2 things? Don't get mad, but first, check out Dean Ornish's book, "Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease". It is also about prevention, not just a program for after the heart attack. I gave the book to my parents and they love it. Second, consider a vegan diet. You know it can be tasty and it is really good for you. Mike's blood pressure has gone way done since we've been vegan. People go vegan for health reasons too.
Posted by: Kristin at May 24, 2007 08:42 AM
Oh, and I might do a 5K with you depending on how the old torn tendon feels when I get on the treadmill. The elliptical doesn't bother it, but running does.
Posted by: Kristin at May 24, 2007 08:43 AM
Wow, lots of stuff going on! Glad that things are moving in the direction you want. I think what is really important is the attitude that is coming across in the posting -- very positive.
Some of my personal notes and anecdotes;
I am actually on high blood pressure meds. No history no, no bad cholesterol, nothing that would indicate that I need to be on meds except for the borderline-high bp readings when I go to the doctor. I put it up as "white coat" syndrome, but my doctor eventually said, "let's stop screwing around - you are a fit young person this should not be happening."
He put me on the lowest dosage of medication saying that the standards for normal have changed anyway. 'Normal' is now 110/70. Having been on the meds since my Ironman and triathlon career started, I feel great and when I go to the doctor I get readings of 120/70, so he is happy.
And when I am at home my bp runs around 110/60. Here is a bonus; you are putting way less strain on the circulatory system at the lower pressures which doctors think may extend your life....
Your approach to eating (and fitness) is excellent. I'm still writing a book on urban triatlete nutrition and in that book I will tell everyone what every other diet book (fad) fails to tell everyone else. Every diet works because, when it comes down to it, you are restricting calorie intake. It does not matter what you eat necessarily, but if the number of calories in is less than the calories expended, you loose weight.
Your calorie counting strategy is an excellent approach.
I have nothing against vegans, vegetarians, Atkin's dieters, South Beach dieters, or any other choice people take when it comes to consuming food. The simple matter however is that the human body was designed to eat a variety of foods. This in part is why we can survive in and dominate almost any part of our little planet. We can eat anything.
So it comes down to choice. So if you choose to be a vegetarian, you may start to loose weight if only because the amount of calories you are taking in is less than your non-vegetarian lifestyle.
The bottom line is choose what you want and if it makes you happy -- rock on!
The 5k? Don't think- do. Enter it (make sure the doctor says it is OK first since you should always get checked out before starting and exercise regimen) It will give you a goal and even if you do not end up running it, may provide motivation for you to continue your fitness practices.
Posted by: Iwan at May 24, 2007 11:00 AM
Sound like you did the right things to me too. I lost weight by doing three things:
I lost around 20 doing that.
The sad news is that I've fallen off the wagon some. I had injured myself and couldn't run or box for a while, and then work was busy, and etc. etc. and suddenly two years has passed. (I am running, though.)
Anyway, keep it up. Rah Rah and all that! 5K may seem like a long way now, but it's not that far. You can always walk if you can't run. :-)
Posted by: poz at May 24, 2007 02:27 PM
Ape - Of course you can! My response to Deb has more information.....
Posted by: cf at May 24, 2007 09:50 PM
Kristin - I've heard of that book before, I'm just trying to figure out where. Anyway, I will check it out. And no, I'm not mad for either suggestion. I've thought about various food paths to take...potentially even vegan, but right now that's not a path I'm willing to go down. I won't say never. And it'd be cool if your tendon is OK and you can join me!!!
Posted by: cf at May 24, 2007 09:57 PM
Iwan - Wow. You've got high blood pressure? I'm stunned. You're an Ironman competitor for crying out loud!! It just doesn't seem right.
So when are you going to finish that book?
As for just signing up for the 5K and if I don't run it, then so be it....scary, dude. I mean, have you seen the people who want to do it with me? I don't want to let them down. I don't want to let ME down. Well, I can weasel out of committing to this right now cause there is no sign up sheet available yet....:-)
Posted by: cf at May 24, 2007 10:05 PM
Poz - I've taken to eating half of my portion when I go out to eat. It works well. And I get two meals out of it. I also share desserts now (well, not 100%....there are some things like Joan & Ed's Devil Dog Torte that one just doesn't share) if I decide to have one.
I don't drink soda much, so I'm already ahead of that game!
I tried Kickboxing with Elke once. That is hard. We have it at our gym along with a whole slew of other classes. It's frustrating because most of the classes don't start when it's convenient for me due to my commute schedule! Wah. So, I keep looking at the schedules to see if there's something interesting on a weekend morning, but....whatever. When I get bored with running, I can go bike or walk or shoot hoops at the gym's basketball court or swim...they've got a lot there.
It's amazing how quickly time flies like that and an injury/bad flu episode can totally derail a person. I had the flu at the beginning of April and I'd only started this change about three weeks before I got sick. I was worried that I wouldn't get back on track when I got better a few days later. But I did..!!
Thanks. Oh hey, yeah, I gues I could walk it....hahaha.
Posted by: cf at May 24, 2007 10:13 PM
Good job on the 13 lbs. BTW - if you are looking for additional things to change up the workout schedule I have a few. There is one thing that you can do on a weekend that I find is a very good workout. It is more of a slow burn endurance activity, but that cvan be very helpfull. If yo are interested, I can call you next time Frodo Snuffy and I go hiking. It is a great workout, and you get to see the mountains. I'll let ya know when the next trip is.
Posted by: mess at May 27, 2007 10:52 AM
I would be extremely guarded about going vegan if you're already anemic. There really aren't any vegetable-based sources of iron that are as effective as red meat. By all means make it humanely slaughtered organic red meat, but red meat is still your very best source of dietary iron.
Posted by: Ulrika at May 27, 2007 07:14 PM
Would going vegan mean that we could not go to the Palm or Abe and Louis or Flemings? I'm sure that the steaks at thoes places are humanely slaughtered orgainc meet.
Posted by: mess at May 27, 2007 08:24 PM
Mess - Thanks. Uh, yeah, it's just I always seem to be busy when you, Frodo and Snuffy head out hiking. I'm just sayin'.
Posted by: cf at May 28, 2007 08:02 AM
Ulrika - No plans (or desire) right now to go vegan, just not saying never (like I say never to the concept of Atkins or South Beach). I definitely would have to research the anemia angle if I did.
Posted by: cf at May 28, 2007 08:14 AM