Is anyone an OK weight but under orders to become more healthy for other reasons (cholesterol, blood pressure etc. etc.)?

[foxinsocks]

because I have 3 months to turn myself around grrrr

I am a totally fine weight but I come from a family with a high risk of heart problems and cholesterol issues.

My cholesterol has always been in the upper range but always been seen as acceptable given that I'm bound to have some sort of inherited risk. My one saving grace is that I have low bp.

Of course, last week, I had an appointment at the gynae, was running late, had to grab a taxi but it was raining...when I finally got one, the traffic was so bad I had to get out 100m away and run (in heels) to make the appointment. They took my bp when I got there and it was on the high side.

This has now triggered this whole palava and I have 3 months to get it down. Now I KNOW I don't have high bp but it probably is a timely reminder to do something about my health but I'm wondering if anyone else has been in this position and how they've gone about it.

I'm well aware I'm woefully unfit which is probably half the problem ggrrrr.

[foxinsocks]

and who, pray tell, is Leon?

[ahundredtimes]

Do you make your own muesli? I have started doing this, and it's delicious and you can cover the oats with all sorts so you don't even notice them. I am a convert, to that and granola. It's quick and easy, it's just the buying the stuff that you have think about.

Meditation and all that good, and important. Knowing how to de-stress is important, especially if you are stressed. This is why I like swimming.

Aren't there all kinds of teas that are good on this. Did you read the FOCUS 10/10 thread - had loads of recipes and things on there. Boco had a v. impressive menu plan. We were all awed.

[ahundredtimes]

Here leon I LOVE it. It's not vegetarian (hurrah) and has lots of v. tasty recipes.

The soaking the beans is a bore and I keep forgetting to do it, and am not ashamed to have tinned beans.

[ahundredtimes]

The recipes aren't wildly time efficient though, and I have had to adapt them. But it's been good because I never really knew how to cook with beans or lentils before.

[foxinsocks]

I drink gallons of rooibos tea. Hopefully that's something good.

No didn't see Boco's plan. Part of my problem is that work is taking up too much time so I've defaulted to quick meals which generally aren't that healthy. I'm tired (and stressed) when I come home and that means I'm more likely to cook and eat rubbish.

Am also eating rubbish for lunch because I'm not making my own (which I should be) so am eating too much pub food and packaged stuff which can't be good (and is too expensive tbh).

[ahundredtimes]

Sushi for lunch then I think please. Or in fact go to the Leon take-out restaurant on The Strand each day, get a soup or a tub of beans etc. It's v. nice food. Wholesome and tasty.

Okay. Am going to make you my project I am going to go away and come back with a weekly menu planner for you. It will be time efficient and nutrition forward. It will be low-fat but delicious. You can do the second weeks, and then you will alternate them.

Right.

I'll be doing that in a minute then.

[foxinsocks]

oooh there's a Leon near me at work. I may have to go and investigate!

Time is my big problem. Today I've spent ages cooking a lovely fish pie with dd. I have found I've really started to enjoy cooking again. But I just don't have the time during the week. If I'm only walking through the door at 7ish, then spending time with the kids, by the time I start cooking it's 8.30ish and i need to cook something that comes out in 30 mins really.

I can't get into this pre cooking and freeze thing unfortunately. But maybe Leon has some quickfire recipes .

[foxinsocks]

ah I cross posted. How did that happen? Especially as there were 3 minutes between posts.

Yes, that Leon v close. I will go and look tomorrow in fact and suss it out.

Oh no, am frightened of being a project. I may have to DELIVER then. I'm not very good at that lol.

[ahundredtimes]

Yes, we'll find some quick ones. Nigel Slater's are good. I never have time to cook and freeze, but sometimes I clear the space - like a Sunday night, and have a cook off. Though usually it's things I like, like fruit compote rather than a casserole or something sensible.

Yes, go to Leon for lunch. Chose the soups, the slaws and the beans.

Get loads of super foods in, also for your muesli. Hang on Franny had a internet muesli company, you order what you want and they deliver, I'll go and get the link. Liven it up with yoghurt or fruit or something different.

Also if you get anaemic and run-down start necking the multi-vits and that Spatone stuff.

It is HARD and impossible when there isn't enough time - there isn't here either - but once you change the balance and make lists you do feel better. And honestly, 10/10 v. good for FOCUS and ideas.

[foxinsocks]

yes I like Nigel Slater a lot.

Doc gave me a fright actually but no bad thing.

He did this 'now that you are over 35 talk' (grrr) with lots of tutting and looking at blood pressure and talking about risks. And he was right because he knows I am very stubborn and unlikely to listen unless someone points things out like that so he did a Good Thing but now I need to focus on the delivering bit rather than the sitting here thinking about it and panicking and thus raising my blood pressure while still sitting on the couch eating biscuits thing.

[ahundredtimes]

You'll be fine. It's easy to let looking after yourself slip, especially when stressed and there isn't enough time. I've started grinding my teeth. I'm quite worried about it, and I keep noticing that I walk round with my fists clenched up. That can't be right can it?

Anyhoo. Food, taking time to think about it, caring about it is quite a good de-stresser. Once you've allowed yourself to find the time.

I will go and find healthy recipes and send. Get multi-vits and spatone too. Meditate more.

[foxinsocks]

no, the clenching fists/grinding teeth thing is annoying but good that you've noticed.

Have you done that yoga thing where you start at the bottom and make every bit of you tense then relax (you have to lie down, in the quiet (ha ha I know), to do it)? It's very good for teeth clenching and fist clenching. Try and do it straight before bed time. You start with your toes and then work your way up and finish with the muscles in your face (so smiling then letting go). Is quite funny actually. You have to do that weirdy slow breathing at the same time. Is v relaxing though.

Stress is a bugger really. Creeps up on you when you're not looking.

[foxinsocks]

teeth grinding not teeth clenching (would be impressive though)

[ahundredtimes]

Yes it does doesn't it? And I don't even know I'm stressed until I find myself sitting down watching telly with my fists clenched up, grinding my teeth, looking all beady and still in my boots.



I remember doing that! The only time I went to yoga was when I was living in digs and doing my A'levels, and we used to do that at the Friends Meeting House. It was v. helpful for getting to sleep, because I couldn't do that either. Ok. I'll do that - you get blueberries, spatone and wheatgerm in.

We're going to be floating on clouds, all airy and care-free and my cheek muscles won't be twitching anymore.

[foxinsocks]

lol

see I love things like blueberries and I will quite happily eat a load of fruit and veg. It's all the other stuff I probably need to add in (the oats and beans and all that nonsense) and yes (sigh) stress. And I know where most of that is coming from grrrr.

I have 4 years till I'm 40 and I need to give myself that kick that Sauer was talking about because doc was saying the older I get with high bp and cholesterol, the harder it is to fight. And apparently February is heart month hence the doctor's emphasis on treating myself a bit better .

I'd quite like someone else to do it for me. I could always watch you and Sauer do it . Is far easier just sitting here while someone else does the work!

[foxinsocks]

am I talking about myself again perchance?

You were a very right on A level student. We had to go to the Friends Meeting House when we were doing O levels/GCSEs as I had chosen RE as it seemed less work than History or Geography. Except I giggled and had to run out as we sat there waiting for someone to Speak. They were very welcoming though. It felt ever so cult like.

[ahundredtimes]

It's your thread. It's allowed. Think of it as your platform Foxy.

[SauerKraut]

Oh gosh, 4 years till 40... a bell suddenly rang very loudly. My Granny made me order the book in which that relaxation technique was first propounded- Doctor Fink, as far as i remember, about 100 years ago!

[ahundredtimes]

You've both come over all Don Draper at the doctors.

[jalopy]

Hi, foxy, I'm very similar to you. Normal weight, borderline cholestral and dodgy bp.

Cholestral herited. Bp at home is always fine. If I go anywhere near the dr's surgery, my heart races and my bp rises moderately. It's a nuisance.

I still try to eat well, keep to low salt intake and walk briskly everyday as much as possible. The idea of formal exercise bores me rigid.

Here's some of the stuff I eat now:

Benecol butter
No fat yogurts
No added salt to food
Reduced red meat intake
Eating more pulses, beans, some nuts, oatmeal
Reduced caffeine intake drastically
Tons of fruit and vegetables
I've tried cutting down on fat foods like pies, biscuits and sweets but it's a challenge.

If I think of anymore things I'll let you know.

[AitchTwoOh]

me. i MUST. i'm going to take up running again. but right now i'm in bed suffering. first period after dd2 and caesarean. i actually feel WORSE than i did immediately after the op. [about me]

[Elibean]

Why did this thread jump out at me?

Hello Foxy, I'm with you on this. Weight fine, cholesterol borderline, BP ok but bound to go up because I had pg hypertension (and my Dad and uncle are on bp meds and gp says I will be too, in time).

And am horribly addicted to chocolate, in large quantities, since dd2 was born. I've blamed pregnancy, birth, BFing, sleep deprivation, stress...

I've signed up to do the PinkPower Walk (like Race for Life, but walking), but thats about it...and we're off to Paris on Tuesday to sort out my granny's house, which means eclairs, cheese, and bread for another four days. Can I start on Sunday, please?

dh loves lentils, he'll be thrilled if I join you...

[foxinsocks]

pies . I'm glad you admitted to that first jalopy. I LOVE pies.

Aitch, please talk more about yourself. I felt the spotlight on me there and had to run off and get another rock cake.

God, first period is vile. Have you been a fishwife for the past few weeks? I remember getting my first period after ds and thinking thank fuck goodness, the last few weeks were PMT not me morphing into Pauline Fowler.

yes, do let me know if you think of anything more. .

[foxinsocks]

Dr Fink, what a great name. Makes me think of Lily the Pink and her medicinal compound.

I'm glad there are others in the same boat tbh. Have they done the home bp monitoring for you jalopy?

Elibean, he LIKES lentils? How did this happen?

Dh has a major chocolate addiction and is finding it impossible to cut it. I stopped my sweet addiction but I had to stop buying them and tell dh not to buy them too and that's the only way I stopped it. Because I was too lazy to go out and get them once I was home! Do you do the shopping Elibean?

[jalopy]

Ahhh now chocolate.......nothing will stop me eating the stuff....just got to moderate input.