You have NOT helped my blood pressure today shortbus...:duh3::se:

Keeps ya alive doc. Lets you know that you're old thumper is still thumpin strong

It is. Simple, cheap, except for the good shoes and very easy to do. I'm a cheap bugger and don't do the gym thing or the equipment thing either.

Never been one for running - too much like work. But, I used to lift weights on a regular basis (I dont even do that anymore)....

the thing that you are trying to do is work on cardio though. Lifting weights is great...but the problem is that you are stationary for the most part. The object of the game is to get your heart rate up which strenghtens your cardiovascular system. So it takes aerobic type activities to do this.

Exactly. Shane, we aren't talking about anything that involves sitting still. Strength training is important but the cardio is bar none the most important thing you can do to drop the pounds.

Running is even better than biking - because biking is generally considered low impact and you are really only moving your legs. The movement you do while running (or even walking) is considerably more effective in getting the juices flowing.

If you aren't into running make a plan to walk around the block 3x per week. Then increase that to the subdivision 3x per week - you'll be surprised at what that does for your energy levels.

You will find that you become tired much later than normal during other activities...it will also help you sleep if you have problems sleeping(as far as being tired out at the end of the night)

I am 32 and have had high blood pressure for over 10 years. I have had numerous studies on my heart, every test you can take. All of the test come back perfectly normal and healthy as I can be with the exception of my HBP.

We buried my father when he was 42 because of a fatal heart attack. So when I got married and had children I decided I was going to start caring, well that lasted for about 3 months because every medicine I took made me tired and or irritable. I went to the doctor about 6 months ago because I was having terrible head aches and dizzy spells. That day when they took my BP it was 185/150, yep stroke level. I was forced to stay at the hospital until it was stabilized that day. The doctor prescribed me a drug called Lotril. I am now taking it once daily at night and my blood pressure has stabilized at 140/100 still high but not scary high.

The main thing I did was to cut out all of my fried foods, cut back on red meat and switched to Chicken and Turkey along with a lot more water and only one soda a day. I feel a lot better now than I used to but it still sucks to have to have your BP checked before you even get your teethe cleaned. I was never over weight in great shape, I was 6'0 and 190, I dropped my weight by this diet and watching calories. I am now holding at 174, I too cannot exercise much because I have a ruptured disc in my back, another degenerative disc in my upper back as well as herniated something in my therassic (shoulder). This does not include I have had my knee reconstructed twice. I try to be active in the yard and with my kids but man do I pay for it the next week. But I can tell you I feel much better know than I did 7 months ago.

Good luck and look into Lotril.

Thats the thing with me....family history. I dont eat nearly as well as I should and could excercise more but high BP runs in the family (on both sides). So I do what I can.

hey no problem,
thanks for sharing