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Original poster

Anyone in their 40s/50s plus had a health wake up call?

360 replies

CuriousMama · 22/03/2023 20:32

I recently went to the GP because of a couple of health worries. She took my BP whilst there and it was really high.
I'm on HRT. I'm overweight but not massively.
So I decided to make a massive effort to change my ways. I've exercised a lot more. Done yoga. Eating smaller portions and healthier food. I eat pretty healthy anyway but have upped it. Drinking beetroot smoothies. It's good for lowering BP. Taking potassium as well as usual vitamins.
She'd prescribed bp meds but I wanted to try and lower it myself first.
Bp has gone down a lot. I feel a lot better in myself and have more energy.

Anyone else had this or decided to get healthier now they're in their 50s?

OP posts:
Itslookinggood · 09/04/2023 11:42

I'm so glad to have found this thread.

  1. Came out abusive marriage 3.5 yrs ago. Loads better mentally but also put on 1.5st during the pandemic & can't seem to shift it. Dog walking not cutting it.

Finding time to exercise is hard (single parent to 2 teens plus full-on job) but having some slightly worrying palpitations in chest, not frequently though.

It's a nightmare to get GP appt here so going to try to adapt thr diet to Mediterranean and get to the gym. Will make thr time. Inspired by all the posts on here, thank you.

Original poster
CuriousMama · 09/04/2023 16:25

Itslookinggood · 09/04/2023 11:42

I'm so glad to have found this thread.

  1. Came out abusive marriage 3.5 yrs ago. Loads better mentally but also put on 1.5st during the pandemic & can't seem to shift it. Dog walking not cutting it.

Finding time to exercise is hard (single parent to 2 teens plus full-on job) but having some slightly worrying palpitations in chest, not frequently though.

It's a nightmare to get GP appt here so going to try to adapt thr diet to Mediterranean and get to the gym. Will make thr time. Inspired by all the posts on here, thank you.

Welcome 🙂 Have you tried getting an appointment online? Even if it's just for a phone appointment? How often are you getting palpitations?

I'm just starting the C25K have you thought of trying it? Only takes half hour so far. You need to get out of breath for any benefit.

OP posts:
jasminetrampoline · 09/04/2023 18:09

@WoofWoofBeachLife and @PoseyFlump I watched the into videos to start so took a whole longer than it will usually. Think about 15 mins for the actual exercises. I loved it, nice music, very calm (none of this enthusiastic waffling on that annoys me) and I'm aching today. Will prob do it every 3rd or 4th day to give my old unfit body time to recover. Regards food I'm.doing shit but enjoying all the easter chocolate. But have done a long walk (1 hr +) every day for the last 4 days

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
WoofWoofBeachLife · 09/04/2023 19:40

Aw thanks Jasmine, I'll definitely look at it this week. @Itslookinggood you can do this 💪 you've already shown amazing strength leaving your marriage, the pounds will melt away. Its the hardest thing to do is lose weight. Do you suffer from anxiety at all? I'm asking as this can cause palpitations. Try and persevere for a GP appointment so you can get checked out xx

WoofWoofBeachLife · 09/04/2023 19:43

@PoseyFlump I'm going to try and manage to check the videos out this week and try it. By the time I've done the basics I'm done in though.
@TubbsTattysyrup that's absolutely fantastic you run that! Running would be so freeing and exhilarating, like cycling, I can't do both 🤣🤣🤣

TubbsTattysyrup · 09/04/2023 21:00

WoofWoofBeachLife · 09/04/2023 19:43

@PoseyFlump I'm going to try and manage to check the videos out this week and try it. By the time I've done the basics I'm done in though.
@TubbsTattysyrup that's absolutely fantastic you run that! Running would be so freeing and exhilarating, like cycling, I can't do both 🤣🤣🤣

I can’t really ride a bike with any degree of success, I imagine it would be great fun especially at speed. Something I can only imagine!

PoseyFlump · 10/04/2023 07:26

We really need a turn in the weather! Rain is so depressing.

My plan is to dust off the cobwebs of my bike and start that again (probably at weekends) and take a meal shake to work so I can spend lunch time walking instead of sitting down with a sandwich.

Years ago I had some success with 30 Day Shred (every other morning before a shower) so I might start that again with a couple of Lift With Cee.

I'm great at planning. Not so good at doing 😂

PoseyFlump · 10/04/2023 07:29

For anyone doing calorie counting how do you spread your calories? I've read on the internet that 300 breakfast, 500 lunch, 700 dinner is typical? I used to do 5:2 fasting but not sure I could hack going into work on an empty stomach these days!

PoseyFlump · 10/04/2023 07:32

@jasminetrampoline I watched the introductory videos late at night but still haven't yet tried one out!

@WoofWoofBeachLife let me know how you get on. It'll motivate me! 💪

Itslookinggood · 10/04/2023 07:47

Thanks @CuriousMama and @WoofWoofBeachLife it is truly awful trying to get GP appt - you have to ring at 8.30am on the dot, be in hold for up to an hour, and then be ‘triaged’ by receptionist who’ll tell you if you can have appt or not. I start work at 08.00, so have to basically book a morning off.

so - self help first. Ate well yesterday and am meeting thr 10,000 steps a day. Away atm but back to gym when I get back. So helpful to be reminded that getting breathless is what I need.

Post upthread of thinking of changing habits less as an ‘I need to lose weight’ issue and more as an ‘I need to ward off illness’ issue massively helpful for mind shift. Thankyou that poster. I am on my own with 2 teens who literally could not cope without me, so must stay well for them.

WoofWoofBeachLife · 10/04/2023 08:00

Morning, I'm on it with you @PoseyFlump. I will either look this afternoon or tomorrow afternoon and try one tomorrow. Let's do this. My husband is still off for Easter today and because I had a rubbish health day yesterday we are going a walk and some food shopping today. I like the sound of lift with cee because its short videos. We took my wee MIL out for lunch yesterday and omg my tummy was huge, bloated and my jeans cut me in 2. Urgh! My period is due so I'm blaming that, 🤣🤣
My conditions mean I can only do a little at a time, pacing, I'm not a good pacer, it's all or nothing. I want to clear some weeds today too which will be down as a wee activity on my diary.
Hope everyone has a chilled Easter Monday 🐣 xxxx

WoofWoofBeachLife · 10/04/2023 08:04

@Itslookinggood that's a really positive way to look at it, so I'll do that. I absolutely hate calling in the morning for an app 😒 I need to do it tomorrow for DH engaged, engaged, engaged ☎️

Original poster
CuriousMama · 10/04/2023 08:52

Itslookinggood · 10/04/2023 07:47

Thanks @CuriousMama and @WoofWoofBeachLife it is truly awful trying to get GP appt - you have to ring at 8.30am on the dot, be in hold for up to an hour, and then be ‘triaged’ by receptionist who’ll tell you if you can have appt or not. I start work at 08.00, so have to basically book a morning off.

so - self help first. Ate well yesterday and am meeting thr 10,000 steps a day. Away atm but back to gym when I get back. So helpful to be reminded that getting breathless is what I need.

Post upthread of thinking of changing habits less as an ‘I need to lose weight’ issue and more as an ‘I need to ward off illness’ issue massively helpful for mind shift. Thankyou that poster. I am on my own with 2 teens who literally could not cope without me, so must stay well for them.

You should be able to enrol online at your practice to make appointments etc? I did it recently and tried Fri got in Mon. I must have got a cancellation as GP was shocked and it was at least a 2 week wait.

OP posts:
PoseyFlump · 10/04/2023 09:39

Unfortunately @WoofWoofBeachLife I've got to work today (what an excuse! 😂) but I'm definitely gonna start this week 🤞We can do this!!

humancalculator · 10/04/2023 10:11

I've had a series of minor but annoying infections - ear, eye, skin - that made me realise my immune system is just shit, and was ill over New Year's with a respiratory thing that apparently wasn't Covid but dragged me down for weeks. All this made me realise I needed to address my health rather than just 'let it happen'. I had a mammogram (had somehow got off-schedule during Covid) and a full range of blood tests done a couple of weeks ago, and while BP, cholesterol, glucose etc are ok, there are a couple of other problems that need attention. Certainly I need to lose weight, at least 8 kg.

I did the low-carb boot camp a few months ago and it helped; while not so restrictive now I do eat healthily but may have drifted a bit over Easter...this thread (and the demoralizing effort of having to buy a party dress a couple of days ago - because nothing I already owned fit - and not having much choice in my too-large size) should help keep me accountable! Giving up alcohol has been a big step forward: my sleep and motivation are much better. Now I just need to get better about exercise - I hit my steps most days, but at a strolling pace that does nothing for my cardio. Hey ho.

Weepingwillows12 · 10/04/2023 10:17

My blood pressure was high too. Have completely cut out caffeine, reduced salt, been doing yoga most days since January and been walking a lot more. What I really need to do is cut the alcohol and lose weight but finding both of those hard as I have a busy life and use both as a comfort. This thread might be the extra kick I need. Am on tablets for blood pressure but don't want to be.

Original poster
CuriousMama · 11/04/2023 08:34

Weepingwillows12 · 10/04/2023 10:17

My blood pressure was high too. Have completely cut out caffeine, reduced salt, been doing yoga most days since January and been walking a lot more. What I really need to do is cut the alcohol and lose weight but finding both of those hard as I have a busy life and use both as a comfort. This thread might be the extra kick I need. Am on tablets for blood pressure but don't want to be.

I've just been to get bloods taken and she did my BP. 136/96 which is high but I do get white coat syndrome. It's been a lot lower at home with the C25K having beetroot juice etc. Plus I had cocktails last night 🙈
I'm at work today later on. I'll run after as cba now.

OP posts:
surrenderdorothy · 11/04/2023 23:39

This thread has been really helpful for me. I have it in mind in the supermarket and have really upped the variety of veg I am eating (following my own advice!) and feel slimmer in the unshiftable lockdown girth area, which is a relief. Should really get a home BP machine, but can't face forking out the money... I do have white coat syndrome. Feeling more on track is good, and jeans are looser.

Original poster
CuriousMama · 14/04/2023 08:34

surrenderdorothy · 11/04/2023 23:39

This thread has been really helpful for me. I have it in mind in the supermarket and have really upped the variety of veg I am eating (following my own advice!) and feel slimmer in the unshiftable lockdown girth area, which is a relief. Should really get a home BP machine, but can't face forking out the money... I do have white coat syndrome. Feeling more on track is good, and jeans are looser.

That's great news. Keep it up 👍

OP posts:
Original poster
CuriousMama · 16/04/2023 11:27

Hope everyone is having a good weekend? I often work Sundays but on annual leave now 🙂

OP posts:
SB1971 · 16/04/2023 12:03

Hello! I am still on it with the healthier eating and have been doing heaps of walking too. Went for a curry last night which was so nice but didn’t have the million sides that I usually do so this is definitely progress!

Original poster
CuriousMama · 16/04/2023 15:28

SB1971 · 16/04/2023 12:03

Hello! I am still on it with the healthier eating and have been doing heaps of walking too. Went for a curry last night which was so nice but didn’t have the million sides that I usually do so this is definitely progress!

Brilliant. Where do you walk? I've just been along the beach. I'm totally with you with eating out. I used to have bhaji etc. Now I'll have a shashlik, salad and Chapatti. I do go overboard now and again but much rarer. Also walking a lot and doing aerobic. C25K.

OP posts:
Original poster
CuriousMama · 16/04/2023 15:30

Oh and my BP is normal. I'm at the GP in the morning getting blood test results. No doubt I'll have white coat syndrome 😔 still I'm not taking meds when I know it's down.

OP posts:
WoofWoofBeachLife · 16/04/2023 15:37

Afternoon all, hope your weekend is relaxing. I put on a pair of jeans I hadn't worn in a while and I'm traumatised 🤣🤣🤣
My body was like a big marshmallow with a tie wrap round the middle! I had also left out a nice jumper to wear and let's just say it was less than flattering than it used to be, I didn't have time to muck about and look out/iron something else suitable.
I'm a huge big apple shape and need to get this stomach under control quickly. Our meal plan this week isn't mega healthy but breakfast and lunch I can do low carb and small portions. I do need to watch how much I exercise or I end up floored for a few days so a little bit more each day will hopefully make a difference.
My heart must be surrounded by fat urgh.
My DH said my bum was still the same in the jeans, in a good way so that made me happy 😊
Xx

Original poster
CuriousMama · 16/04/2023 15:53

WoofWoofBeachLife · 16/04/2023 15:37

Afternoon all, hope your weekend is relaxing. I put on a pair of jeans I hadn't worn in a while and I'm traumatised 🤣🤣🤣
My body was like a big marshmallow with a tie wrap round the middle! I had also left out a nice jumper to wear and let's just say it was less than flattering than it used to be, I didn't have time to muck about and look out/iron something else suitable.
I'm a huge big apple shape and need to get this stomach under control quickly. Our meal plan this week isn't mega healthy but breakfast and lunch I can do low carb and small portions. I do need to watch how much I exercise or I end up floored for a few days so a little bit more each day will hopefully make a difference.
My heart must be surrounded by fat urgh.
My DH said my bum was still the same in the jeans, in a good way so that made me happy 😊
Xx

I'm sorry to hear about your tum. I store fat there too. Do you do the exercise where you just pull your stomach to your belly button for 10 seconds and keep repeating? When I remember to keep doing it I get results.
Your dh sounds great 😃

OP posts: