All the pictures in the world aside, these kind are my favorite:
I uploaded this picture to my Facebook page a couple of days ago.
This isn’t a fluke, these were my average blood pressure levels after taking the test several times. In my experience, levels fluctuate +/- 15 at any given time.
It’s always good to take the average.
This is my public service message of the day: next time you think you’re just affecting your waist line when you sit down for a greasy plate of salty, fried food, think again. Those numbers up there were literally counting (up, in this case) to my daeth. There are absolutely zero symptoms to high blood pressure, even severe high blood pressure — you won’t know it until you’re tested or lying in a hospital bed. Or worse.
I don’t mean to sound like your grandmother (or mine, God bless her), but you’ve got to sit down and take charge of your life. I can preach all day long about losing weight to have more fun with your kids, husband/wife (grr, baby), look better at the beach, fit into “regular” clothes, do normal things, etc. Some days this provides enough motivation and inspiration for you to change your ways, most days it doesn’t affect you in the slightest.
Most days, it’s, “oh, I’ll start tomorrow. I’m too busy/tired right now to change.”
It’s so, so frustrating. I hear from far too many people on a daily basis who found my blog 6 months ago, read for a week or two while they tried to lose weight, then lost interest and came back months later. “Oh, I started a new job/school” or “Gosh darn, it’s just hard!” I’m nonchalantly told.
Well, and this is said very nonchalantly: get serious and change your life.
Or, you might just end up losing it.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Well Done – esp on your heart rate. I have to ask though, what was your resting heart rate when you were at 145/120?
So proud of you Tyler. You are my inspriation to keep going. Thank you!
I don’t remember to be honest. Sorry :(
These are the really crucial numbers, Tyler.
How healthy, strong, and good looking are we on the inside?
Are we getting the exercise our hearts and lungs need to function properly?
Are we eating health sustaining foods rather than health destroying foods?
CONGRATULATIONS ! You must feel so alive and wonderful now that you are helping yourself to enjoy good health.
You really are beautiful on the inside, where it counts…
You’re right, I do feel alive and wonderful. It’s awesome to see numbers like that show up. I don’t ever forget where I came from.
This was just the kick in the ass I needed today, after having a horribly demotivating week. Thank you :)
Tyler, I have to tell you that every time I’m getting too complacent in my weight loss journey and need a good kick in the pants, I’m inspired by your blog.
I try to take the “no excuses” approach, but like many overweight people I rest on my laurels too easily. For instance, I’ve recently started biking six miles to work and something deep inside my brain decided I didn’t need to watch my intake anymore. Stupid.
Anyway, I just wanted you to know you’re helping keep me on track. Keep it up.
Excellent job, man! For a big guy I’ve always had decent BP, but it can certainly improve.
Way to go!
I have the resting heart rate of an athlete! An athlete!! Me! This time last year I sat in a cubicle for 8 hours then went home and sat in front of a computer playing WoW for another 8. Luckily no high blood pressure at the time but I was a walking ticking time bomb.
Stand up and fight for your life. I didn’t think mine was worth it. Thankfully I’ve proved myself wrong.
wow, that is awesome… Congratulations
Tyler! This is my favorite blog so FAR!!!! Especially the grandma comment. I have said this myself…”I hate to sound like Grandma…BUT…
Here’s the best thing…you didn’t wait until you were over 40 to figure it out. I heard a quote from a doc just recently that I thought you’d like. He said, “We now realize that the abcense of disease does not mean you are in good health.” Yup…you are right Tyler, those plates pile high with gut bombs add up. Sooner or later we keel over from this stuff.
Blessings to you keep paving the way!
V
15 months ago when I was at 399 pounds, my BP was about 140/90 with pulse of about 70 WITH tso BP medications.
Now, I am at 248 pounds, one med has been eliminated and my bp averages about 105/60 with resting pulse of about 55.
15 months ago when I was at 399 pounds, my BP was about 140/90 with pulse of about 70 WITH two BP medications.
Now, I am at 248 pounds, one med has been eliminated and my bp averages about 105/60 with resting pulse of about 55.
Tyler
Just wanted to say that I’ve literally spent the past 12hrs going through your blog since your first post. I found your blog through a search engine and it sprang out as being weighed this week I was 344 pounds with a blood pressure of 162/105 although I have a few years on you being 40, I’ve always thought that at my size there was no hope, yet you have shown me there is and for that I thank you. My journey starts now.
I got tested about a month ago. I was 110/70. It was awesome to see those numbers again. I’d had high pressure for a while, and now I’m back to normal, yeeesss.
Tyler-
I love your blog, and it’s helped me as I have lost 88 pounds in the last 5 1/2 months. I’m a teacher, and your way of relating your story, and your palpable concern for others, is exactly the kind of approach that is most effective in the classroom. But the second half of this post, where you are more scolding/angry… I certainly understand it, and it comes from the right place, but from my experience, that approach never works, or if it works with someone, not for long. People have to come to their own understanding, by, for example, reading your excellent blog and the thoughts you are having and looking at your example. Then one day, the light comes on. At least that is how I see it in the classroom and in life; you can try to inspire and show how great something is, but you can’t tell someone what to do, as humans are too balky and perverse, and they rebel.
You’re looking great, Tyler. Congratulations on the low BP, the new muscles, and I will be reading you every day for the next few years, for sure. Thanks!
THAT’S AWESOME!!! You’ve made amazing progress! I get so excited to have my blood pressure taken now. It’s dorky but I love seeing that small number!