dropped BP by 15 points!

**mek42** · 07-19-2010, 05:23 PM

A couple weeks ago I was rejected to give blood due to my diastolic (this is the bottom number, right?) blood pressure being above 100 at 104. This is typical for where it has been with meds recently. Last week was my first week of exercising - MTRF morning at gym and run at track before dinner (took Friday off from running so did little elliptical at gym, also did weights Saturday 9 days ago).

Anyhow, I went in to the doctor Sunday and my BP bottom number was 82 and 90 (had them do the other arm 'cause I didn't believe the 82).

Also, Monday was my first time running in 10 years. I was able to run 300 m, walk 200 m then run 100 m. I decided to alternate run / walk 100 m each. On Thursday I was up to 800 m total!

I'm feeling proud of myself.

Now I just need to keep going.

Hopefully I'll be able to do more situps with practice. This morning I did 20 on the decline bench, then 10 more as a different set. Then took a quick rest on the bench and then forced myself to do 5 more, but these were about the sorriest excuses for situps I've ever done.

Maybe in the future I can do one set for near as many as I can do and then do 8 - 12 reps on the second set holding a weight.

The doc told me to let my elbow become no longer inflamed before doing more bench press or lat pulls, so I'll wait until Thursday before trying again. Also, I'm to avoid weight training for quads while I have any lower back pain.

**Momto5RN** · 07-19-2010, 06:23 PM

thats wonderful !!! i have to tell you if i went to see one of my pts and their diastolic was 104 theyd be headed to the ER !!

**baxjul** · 07-19-2010, 06:30 PM

YAY! That's great!

**mek42** · 07-19-2010, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by Momto5RN

thats wonderful !!! i have to tell you if i went to see one of my pts and their diastolic was 104 theyd be headed to the ER !!

It started at 120. I knew that is what the systolic should be, so I let them put me on drugs.

**mauimagic** · 07-19-2010, 09:03 PM

Congratulations!! Love how your body is responding so well to all the good things you are doing!! Mahalo for sharing!!

**frugalwarrior2** · 07-19-2010, 09:13 PM

WooHoo Mek42-kickin the health issues to the curb. a few years ago mine was 160/110. I took the meds too. Currently 120/80 and at the dietician 114/80 which i hardly believe. Can't wairt for next visit. Please keep us posted. Also lose-a-pound invites you over.Just don't show us all up o.k. lol.

**mek42** · 07-19-2010, 09:58 PM

Did well at the track tonight. Felt good after the first 100 m run, so I made it a 200 m run. Then walk 100, run 200, walk 200, run 200, walk 100, run 100, walk 100, run 100. The very last 100 was kind of a sprint and the last 50 m was a bit rough - part of my motivation is to be able to join Army - last 50 m was "air", suck in breath, "borne", suck in breath and repeat until done. Not that what I'm looking to go in for has any use at all for Airborne school, but it helps motivate the last little bit.

Don't worry about the lose a pound - I think I'm starting to bulk up a little and weight is plateauing. Here's to fat loss!

**Debbie-cat** · 07-19-2010, 10:27 PM

Woo hoo! Congratulations!

**Palooka** · 07-19-2010, 10:27 PM

That's great Mek!

**Liane** · 07-20-2010, 12:25 AM

That is fantastic. What a drop. Keep up the good work. You are off to a great start. Be careful with weights. Lift less than you think you can. Your body will thank you. So proud of you. Summer for some reason is easier to get moving. Must be something in the air. Keep posting your progress.

**mek42** · 07-20-2010, 08:34 AM

Went to gym this morning. Among other things, slipped in a third set of 15 situps!

Taking motivation wherever one can, the last set was three reps of "one", inhale while lowering, "oh", inhale, "one", inhale, "air", inhale, "borne". Part of my motivation to be exercising is thinking about becoming a Nuclear Medicine Science Officer in the Army - absolutely no use for Airborne school for that job, much less that the 101st has a slot for such an officer in their TO&E but motivation is motivation.

**Darlene** · 07-20-2010, 08:43 AM

You are my hero! WTG Mark!

**frugalfranny** · 07-20-2010, 06:56 PM

Congrats mek!!

Keep going......and we are all here to cheer you on!!

You are too young to be on BP medicine!!

**mek42** · 07-22-2010, 09:18 PM

Two syllables: 1K !!!

Booyah!!!

Ran 3 @ 200 m each separated by 100 m walk, then walked 200 m, then ran 2 @ 150 m with a 100 m walk after each and then put a 100 m sprint on top of everything!

<sings>I feeeeel good!