Thursday, June 19, 2014

"Food" for Thought.....

Last Thursday, I wrote about how I had been having some problems with my BP.  You can read about it at "The Fog Is Lifting".  I wanted to give y'all an update.  Often I get all gung-ho about something, then it has a tendency to fizzle out.....but I've found out that happens when God's not in it!  

As I'm getting older
(just old, according to one of the grand's who will remain nameless.....
but he's the firstborn one.....;-)
.....I'm hopefully.....
and prayerfully.....
getting wiser.

I'm still doing really well.
Except, for this past Monday and I know it was because of what I had eaten over the weekend, and my BP ran high most of Monday and I had a terrible headache.  Since then, my BP has leveled off.  So, I feel the Magnesium Oxide is doing it's job and I haven't had to go back on the prescription med.  I've been off of it for about a week and a half now and truly feel better than I have for MONTHS.  I didn't realize until that light bulb moment that it was causing me to feel so lethargic.....
and also causing most of my night sweats.
 (TMI?....sorry....but I think it's just us girls chatting here)

A few other things I've done that I feel will improve my health.....

~~~~~completely, totally cut out soft drinks.....
which for me was my addiction to Diet Mountain Dew!!!
I tried to justify by buying caffeine free!!!
Now, I drink only tea and water.
Stevia is my #1 choice for sweetener,
not sugar.

~~~~~I'm getting more exercise, but it's not deliberate exercise.
I still can't do a lot because of my knee,
but I've been working outside a lot and that makes me feel so much better.

~~~~~Although I know it has health benefits.....
I still haven't been able to drink coffee.
It seems I've lost my appetite for it.
And, that's a good thing for me because.....
#1....it costs way too much!
#2....caffeine isn't good for BP!

~~~~~I've also tried to cut out salt.....
so difficult for a salt-o-holic!
Mrs. Dash is a wonderful substitute!!

~~~~~Limiting breads and sweets.
This is another biggie for me because I'm also a carb-o-holic!!!
BIG TIME!!!

~~~~~Eating more veggies and fruits.
Sometimes, I'll throw a handful of spinach in a smoothie.
If the  green color is a bother, 
I just close my eyes while drinking it!!!

~~~~~~This one should have gone at the top of the list.....
covering it all in prayer!
And trying to listen to that "still small voice" about how to eat and treat my body.

These changes I'm making.....
they're not so that I can have that body I had as a teenager.
It has everything to do with my health.
I've watched my Mom suffer from heart issues and I've seen some of the things she's done that contributed to her decline in health, including smoking and diet.
(Praise the good Lord above, I didn't take up the smoking habit)
My BP issues have really scared me.....
especially, the headaches and the thought of having a stroke.
I've felt the great need to loose weight in the past.....
so many times I've lost count.
For me, if it's Monday, I'm on a diet.
This time it's just different.
It's totally because of a health scare!

Here's my main reason for wanting to improve my health and take better care of the body HE gave me!!!


OUCH!!
"honor God with your body".....
hoping and praying I can get better at doing that.....
because I've done a very lousy job for the first 59 years!



.....but so often I do!


Breathing in Jesus,

Deb



4 comments:

  1. Debbie, reading this just brought to light how God is working in the hearts of His children. Reading your post was like reading my own life since February! I tell people that I didn't go on a diet and I'm losing weight! I TOTALLY understand about how the blood pressure medicine leaves a person feeling so lethargic! It was the same for me. I always have to keep track of my bp and take it with me when I go to the doctor. When I had my appointment with her last week she turned the paper over and put an A+ ! :) Love her sense of humor! Continue on, my friend, continue on! :)

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  2. So glad to hear you are feeling better and staying on top of things. Marty likes Mountain Dews! Mine is Diet coke and though I cut way back on them a year ago I need to get better. You know Debbie when it comes right down to it half of the issues we have is from lack of excercise and poor eating habits! I know this so do I find it so hard to do what I need to do. When I do...I feel better. Not just health wise but about myself...as a woman. Make sense? Anyway, I will pray for you to continue testing and trying and I do appreciate you sharing. You are giving me some inspiration girl! Love you! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  3. Very good. All the best to you. Very wise things you are doing.

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  4. Hi Deb! I am so sorry for all your health challenges, but it sure sounds like you have a good handle on them now. High BP is a tough one, it's often not suspected until you have your BP taken, so I'm glad you discovered the problem. Then you can address it! I am going to the doctor next week, and I'm sure it's not going to be fun. I have to lose so much weight (not good for BP either), and exercise too. Just can't get away with all those bad habit of youth anymore! Keep on going my friend, and we can urge each on to health :)
    Ceil

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Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Proverbs 16:24