The Better And Healthier Me

Today, I went into my basement and found something that I hadn't seen in years.  It wasn't a photo album or anything sentimental like that; it was my old stationary bike.  Not something people usually get excited over, but with my recent visit to the doctor, who said I needed to lose weight, what better way to add onto the exercise I already do, then riding my bike?  It's strenuous and convenient because I don't have to go outside my house to do it.  In the past, I didn't enjoy my bike because I found it boring, but now, I'm determined more than ever to lose the weight I need to be healthy.

After cleaning my bike because it was in the basement for so long, I decided to get on it and give it a test run.  Originally, I wasn't going to go too hard since it was my first time on it in years, but once I was on it, I rode it with no difficulties.  It was pretty easy with my IPod, and the only negatives were the seat, which hurt my butt.  Since the bike is old, it doesn't have good resistance settings, but you can turn the knob or just pedal harder, which I did.  I didn't expect to sweat so much, but in no time at all, I had ridden an hour straight and was sweating through my shirt.  Something I was very proud of.  Hopefully, that type of enthusiasm and results continue!  That way, I can be a better and healthier me.

Mom's Just Don't Understand

With Mother's Day being a few weeks away, I should be more appreciative of my mom (and believe me, I am with everything she's done for me).  But like everyone who has a mom, there are just times when she drives me crazy.  Like today, she calls me just to ask if I've been eating?  I tell her of course I am, but she wants me to keep eating more, since she thinks I'm losing too much weight.  Her point is valid since I have been trying to lose weight, but I've been doing it to lower my blood pressure.  I thought she would understand because for years she hounded me about losing weight, but now she wants me to gain it all back; it makes no sense, and stresses me out to the point that I think even if I was ideally healthy, I'd still have high blood pressure because of everything I'm dealing with.  I know my mom is only looking out for what's best for me, but I wish she would see down the middle more, since if she did, she would understand how I really feel.

Buying A Scale

Recently, with my blood pressure rising and gain in weight, I decided to make, what was in my mind, one of the few sound purchases of my life, which was a scale.  We have one in my house, like most families, but that scale was getting old, and giving inaccurate readings, so I wanted a new one to measure myself.  With all the different options out there, I was confused which one would be worth buying, but decided on a EatSmart digital one because it had the most buys and customer reviews.  It cost more, but I figured if that many people bought it, then there must be something good about it.

The scale came to my house a few days ago and looks splendid like some minimalist painting; it's white, slim, and glass, but very sturdy for its size, which I like.  Because it was digital and I stink with technology, I thought it would be difficult to set up, but it was actually very easy, and even came with batteries.  My only issue with the scale is that even though it's  consistent, it gives different weights in different rooms, which I understand if I do it on a rug, but all my floors are hardwood, so I don't know what to think.  I don't want to return it, but I want to know my weight.  Such a dilemma; I wish I was healthier, so I didn't have to deal with all this crap, but what's a person to do?

I'm not sure, but I know I'll be checking myself daily.

Under Pressure To Be Healthy

Yesterday, I went to the doctor's, and the results were average to say the least.  My health is good, and my blood pressure has gone down, but I gained back more weight than I thought I did from the holidays, so now my mission is to lose 10-15 pounds.  I wish I could say this would be a cakewalk, since I've already lost 50 pounds, but everyone knows the last few pounds are always the hardest, and that it's hard going on any diet for an extended period of time.  I know I can do it, and am determined to, but it's so frustrating having high blood pressure at such a young age.  I thought it was my weight that made it high, but even after losing it, I still have issues.  And worse of all, in the past, when my weight was high, my blood pressure was low, but now that I weigh less, my blood pressure is high.  THAT MAKES NO SENSE, and is frustrating as hell!  With results like that, I sometimes question the system or how I'm even functional.

The thing I question even more though is genetics.  I understand that diseases and other things run in the family, but I can't understand how my brother is healthier, despite the fact he eats more greasier foods than I do.  Not to mention in such large quantities.  To add onto that, I know people who weigh more than me, but somehow they're healthier.  How can this be?  I love being young, since it gives me an easier chance of improving my health, but when I think about it in the grand scheme of things, it sucks.  I'm always under such pressure to be healthy, while others aren't.  But at the same time, I know there are others who have it worse than I do, so I'm grateful my health isn't too bad.

It sucks I gained my weight back, but I guarantee that the next time I see my doctor, I'll be thinner.  Hopefully, I'll be healthier, but only time will tell...

High Blood Pressure

Yesterday, I went to the visit the doctor for my annual checkup.  It's something that only lasts about 20 minutes, but to me, it feels like hell on earth.  You may think I'm exaggerating, but if you've lived the life I have health-wise, you'd dread going to the doctor's too.

My appointment overall was good.  In the past, my weight was the thing that messed up my health the most, but this year, it stayed the same from last year.  I'm still a little overweight, but I didn't gain anything which is good.  The thing that really stunk though was my blood pressure, which was 140/85.  Since its been a constant problem the past few years, my doctor recommended I see a cardiologist for medication.  I should probably feel happy that something could actually help me control my high blood pressure, but I don't because I've been to a cardiologist before, and it's a pain in the ass.  Plus, I've tried hard to change my diet a lot this year from salty foods to healthier choices, so it's a shame that it didn't pay off.  I guess I just made a mistake, or genetics was just too much because my family has a history of high blood pressure, among other health problems.  Maybe I shouldn't worry only being 22 years old, but I'm not a child anymore.  These things are real now.

A few years ago, the term high blood pressure was foreign to me, but now it feels like I can't go a day without hearing about it.  I still don't fully understand everything about it, or what causes it genetically, but I'm determined to work my hardest to lower it since I want to improve my health, and live a long and healthy life.  I know it'll be hard with genetics, and all the food and stress I go through on an everyday basis, but I have no doubt I can fix it, medication or not.  I do wish I could stop feeling so depressed sometimes, but I can't control that all the time, so I'm just going to try to be the best me possible.  And it starts now!