blood pressure

Diet and cycling update

/ Roadtirementvintage / 55 Comments

It’s been about 10 days since I have mentioned the diet and exercise program I have been on. So far, so good I have to say. The regime of having a salad each day with a couple of meal replacement shakes has been a chore, but I have been fairly faithful to it. My blood pressure has been greatly improved, and stays improved day to day. I am losing weight as well.

Sher and I met relatives at a local restaurant over the weekend. It had been over a year since we have seen them, and we had a most enjoyable visit. For my meal I splurged and chose a cheeseburger. I did, however order it without the bun. (I have not had any bread since I started the diet. Damn, I miss wheat toast.)

Chillin’ on his “front porch”

I’ve been riding my bike everyday. More often than not I ride a second time too. The ground hog pictured is a critter that I see everyday during my morning ride. When I starting riding he would duck under his yard barn as soon as he spotted me. Now he just ignores me and keeps sitting on his “front porch”. I guess he has gotten used to me riding through his territory.

Spotted on my bike ride this afternoon

/ Roadtirementvintage / 50 Comments

Today while very humid, was really a decent day for a bike ride. Part of my diet regime is also a renewal of exercise. Bike rides in the neighborhood fit that bill nicely. No fancy multi-geared hand brake bike here. Nope, I have a simple coaster brake bike. Works for me and best of all I know how to ride it.

There is always something to see while pedaling around the area. Today’s ride definitely served up some neat observations. Here goes! I’ll share some photos of the flora, fauna and other stuff I saw.

A citizen added a touch of patriotism to this sign at a boat access ramp

Originally a WWII concrete practice bomb, they once lined the road with chains stretched between them

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The concrete practice bombs had two of the iron loops enabling them to be loaded in the bomb bays of the planes. They were used during WWII at Camp Atterbury at Edinburg Indiana, and repurposed for the road side chain marking. The wooden sign is next to a boat access ramp leading to Big Blue River.

A big ol’ groundhog was eating apples from nearby tree

City maintained, note the volunteer maple saplings in the center

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like I mentioned, bike riding is a big part of my new diet and exercise ‘program’. I have been riding at least twice a day with a goal of at least 3 miles each ride. I know compared to real serious riders, that’s not much, but for me it is an accomplishment, and I’m trying to increase my distances each day.  So today I have pedaled 5.25 miles, consumed one shake and one salad. Don’t know about tonight’s supper yet. Probably another shake. Blood pressure is still down.

The beard sail

One funny thing happened to me today during the ride. It was the first time I was pedaling at, for me, a rapid rate and wham! here came a strong headwind. It made my beard feel like a sail, and actually created quite the resistance.  Felt really strange.

Getting used to the diet

/ Roadtirementvintage / 63 Comments

I won’t be reporting every day, but I did want to mention how the beginnings of my diet are coming along.  Here is the link to my first declaration of diet post yesterday.

So far it has been OK to have a protein meal replacement shake for breakfast. Take it slow, don’t gulp it and make it last! Yesterday we (Sher is also consuming some of what I am) both had salads, and again today salad was on the lunch menu. In addition to the salad, I also had a small portion of baked beans and some bread and butter chips. Yesterday and today are the first consecutive days when I had only fruits and veggies to eat. Yes, no meat or breads.

Today’s lunch plate

I have been riding my bike each morning and today I took a second ride after lunch. I am fortunate to have a good place to ride: our neighborhood has very little traffic and an official bike trail runs behind our house. Sher and I also have started doing Tai Chi. As soon as we get the hang of it, we’ll be able to do that outside.

So far I have lost five (5) pounds since my pulmonologist’s appointment last week. My blood pressure has also lowered from the readings from last week. I’m monitoring blood pressure, oxygen and blood sugar daily. I feel pretty good, am not overly hungry and am optimistic. I am confident that I’ll be successful.

It is time to diet

/ Roadtirementvintage / 53 Comments

With my blood pressure on the rise, it has become apparent that it is time to get serious about losing weight. My pulmonologist is a champion for maintaining proper weight and has told me about a diet for losing weight.

Looks good, and full of good stuff

His diet: A protein shake for breakfast. A protein shake for lunch. A salad for supper. When he first told me, I thought that’s the diet from hell. Exercise? Yes, I’ve already started riding my bike each morning.

Sher is supporting me 100%. I know I’ll need that support as this will be a drastic change in lifestyle for me. Portions size is going to be a real challenge for me for those times when I have something other than salads. I’ll give updates on my progress every now and then.