The Official Health and Fitness Thread

[L K]

Just out of curiosity, SGT, have you tracked your blood pressure at home yet?

At my doctor's (whom I'm comfortable with) my blood pressure was in the 140/whatever range. Even in the presence of family it'll be around 138.

I bought a good blood pressure monitor and my results at home have averaged 117/75 or so. I took the monitor in to my doctor to check its accuracy and he said it's bang on what he was reading with his equipment.

I'm still taking steps to reduce it (well in theory anyway, I've been pretty lazy lately) but it was good to know I'm not in panic mode. Cholesterol seems to be my bigger issue.

I actually got a prescription for a monitor and called my benefits to see if they's cover and they won't.  I've looked on-line and see they range from 50-100 bucks so I suppose it's just me going out and doing that. Are some better than others? How often should I be monitoring myself?

It's funny you mention the difference in readings at home vs. the doctor's office... See what I posted in the useless thread a couple of days ago...    :-\

What are you doing for your cholesterol?   

It's not ideal, but just add a walk to your local Shoppers in to your evening to get your BP checked there in their monitors.  I don't really like sending people to them because they don't recalibrate the machines so the numbers can be off a bit, but it does take away the "white coat" effect of doing it in the Doctor's office.

 

[L K]

Hmmm.. Also very helpful, thanks. It seems I eat way too many nuts (need to cut that back.) Perhaps I  should drink less beer and more red wine (which I don't object to doing.) The fish though is problematic for me... I love it but the rest of the family doesn't. So, I basically live without it (unless I go out for it.) Can I take Omega-3 with Omega-6 in supplements? Is that even available?

Yes there are 3/6 combo pills. 

You can also try some different kinds of fish that don't have that "fishy taste" if that is the problem with your family.  Mahi mahi is great for that.  And if you can get your hands on a swordfish steak, it honestly feels like you are eating pork.

 

[Stebro]

Weird, I keep on dropping weight for no good reason. Last time I weighed this little was when I was in 7th grade or something. Down to 119 pounds, and im 5'10, for a couple of years ago I was at 160+ pounds which was pretty normal for me.

What.  That's a bit extreme, dude.  Get your butt to the doctor.  Could be thyroid related or something like that.. either way, serious.

They've checked thyroid, and a lot of other things too. I only know that I can't digest fat properly, and they don't know why. I've tried some medicine but it doesn't work. My blood pressure is low, my resting pulse is high, and im tired all the time. They just keep telling me that I should eat more. I always drop a lot during the summer and whenever I work for some reason, maybe stress-related I don't know.

 

[maplesyrup]

Hmmm.. Also very helpful, thanks. It seems I eat way too many nuts (need to cut that back.) Perhaps I  should drink less beer and more red wine (which I don't object to doing.) The fish though is problematic for me... I love it but the rest of the family doesn't. So, I basically live without it (unless I go out for it.) Can I take Omega-3 with Omega-6 in supplements? Is that even available?

Yes there are 3/6 combo pills. 

You can also try some different kinds of fish that don't have that "fishy taste" if that is the problem with your family.  Mahi mahi is great for that.  And if you can get your hands on a swordfish steak, it honestly feels like you are eating pork.

Yeah, as a fish-eater (when I have the opportunity) that's what I keep telling my wife... Still, she won't go for it.  :-\ - I'll keep an eye out for the 3/6 combos, thanks.

Edit: Just came back from lunch... Had fish tacos.  8)

 

[Stebro]

The question is what is important in fish....Omega 3 or vitamin D?

 

[hockeyfan1]

Hmmm.. Also very helpful, thanks. It seems I eat way too many nuts (need to cut that back.) Perhaps I  should drink less beer and more red wine (which I don't object to doing.) The fish though is problematic for me... I love it but the rest of the family doesn't. So, I basically live without it (unless I go out for it.) Can I take Omega-3 with Omega-6 in supplements? Is that even available?

Yes there are 3/6 combo pills. 

You can also try some different kinds of fish that don't have that "fishy taste" if that is the problem with your family.  Mahi mahi is great for that.  And if you can get your hands on a swordfish steak, it honestly feels like you are eating pork.

Yeah, as a fish-eater (when I have the opportunity) that's what I keep telling my wife... Still, she won't go for it.  :-\ - I'll keep an eye out for the 3/6 combos, thanks.

Edit: Just came back from lunch... Had fish tacos.  8)

A good health food store -- think Nutrition House or The Health Shoppe to name a few -- they sell Udo's Choice Omega 3-6-9 in both oil and capaule form.  It's not from fish but it's a good quality brand that's been rigorously tested for purity. 

Another name is Ascenta Health's Nutrasea, or even Genuine Health's O3mega.  These two combine oils mostly from Salmon, Anchovies, and are also known for their purity.

Remember, when buying fish oil or essential fatty acids containing a fish source, they must have high standards of purity (free of pesticides/bacteria/mercury, etc.,), and also free of that 'burpy' taste.  Not all products are created equal.

Most large fishes should be avoided (far more pollutants than small fishes).  Also, eating Pacific or Atlantic wild fish is best -- farmed fish is not known to have many benefits. 

 

[Bender]

Hey Odin,

I may have asked this question before, but in order to build muscle mass, do I have to be in a calorie rich state? Is Bulking/Cutting a good idea?

I am of the school of thought that I can eat lean and healthy foods, just more than usual in order to try and stem any fat gains that might be associated with higher caloric intake.

 

[maplesyrup]

Okay, now I'm more than slightly scared/confused... I bought the BP monitor and was pretty happy with my reading at 4 pm prior to my run; 131/73, pulse: 65 bpm (high but much better then it was at the doctor's office.) After my run slightly past 5 pm, my systolic dropped (119/75, pulse: 113 bpm.)

My wife did some reading ans apparently, this is not normal and could be a sign of friggin' heart disease?

I liked it better when I didn't go to the doctor.   

 

[Bullfrog]

Try measuring it over a period of two weeks in the same circumstances everytime. A couple of one-off readings aren't going to tell you much.

 

[maplesyrup]

Will do... and you never did say... what are you doing about your cholesterol? Anything working?

 

[db54]

Okay, now I'm more than slightly scared/confused... I bought the BP monitor and was pretty happy with my reading at 4 pm prior to my run; 131/73, pulse: 65 bpm (high but much better then it was at the doctor's office.) After my run slightly past 5 pm, my systolic dropped (119/75, pulse: 113 bpm.)

My wife did some reading ans apparently, this is not normal and could be a sign of friggin' heart disease?

I liked it better when I didn't go to the doctor. 

A drop in systolic blood pressure is normal after exercise. It's the expected result.  Blood pressure increases quite a bit during exercise as your heart rate increases and other factors.  When you stop and relax your blood vessels dilate, which means there are wider opening for your blood to flow through and therefore the pressure on your artery walls will decrease. This can last for a short period of time following exercise.  This is one of the benefits of exercise for people with high blood pressure.

What would be a bad sign is if your systolic blood pressure was dropping DURING exercise, or if it was dropping drastically afterwards.  But the blood pressure you recorded after exercise was a perfectly normal and healthy value.

 

[maplesyrup]

That's a relief, thanks!

 

[Bullfrog]

Will do... and you never did say... what are you doing about your cholesterol? Anything working?

Well, I can tell you what I was doing, I've sort of fallen back into old habits. Essentially, I'm just trying to do little things such as cut back on sugar and animal fats. No more french fries for me, side salads instead. I'm trying to eat healthy fats and grains and, most importantly for me, trying to exercise. I also started taking coenzyme Q10, but i think that was actually for blood pressure not cholesterol.

Not really working as I've sort of gotten lazy.

 

[TheMightyOdin]

Hey Odin,

I may have asked this question before, but in order to build muscle mass, do I have to be in a calorie rich state? Is Bulking/Cutting a good idea?

I am of the school of thought that I can eat lean and healthy foods, just more than usual in order to try and stem any fat gains that might be associated with higher caloric intake.

Hey Bender, I haven't been around a lot lately.

Not sure what you are asking here exactly.

All "building" takes place during sleep.

Protien is key to muscle repair and growth. Think of the calories you consume during the day as the fuel for your body. Not enough fuel and not enough protien could result in a loss of muscle.

Your body will look at your muscle mass like its a protien rich steak and will canabolize it if your undernourished and over trained.

Eating the lean healthy options are obviously the best bet. As far as gaining fat the best thing to do is to not skip meals. Eating those small healthy meals at regularl intervals while commiting to a weight resistance and cardio regimen will keep your metabolism up and limit your bodys desire to store fat.

It's a fine line when you are trying to build muscle while burning fat. It is totally possible but you have to be really on top of everything.. Your food, your exercise, your rest and your sleep.

Everyone reacts a little different in regards to nutrition, timing, numbers of sets and reps. My best advice would be to keep a journal and experiment to find your "zone"

 

[moon111]

Canceled our Starchoice/Shaw.  No TV.  What a great benefit. 
Maybe this winter instead of watching hockey, I'll play it.

 

[maplesyrup]

Well, more tests have shown that I have a on enlarged left  ventricle. Safe bet at this point that it's because I've had high blood pressure for some time. Possible angiogram coming... Getting old sucks. Dear tmlfans friends, let this be a lesson to you all... Get regular checkups and don't go years between them. - I wish I had caught this sooner.

 

[Leafaholic99]

@Moon

With me moving to Wpg and only being in the city 43% of the time (at work out of town the rest of the time), I am thinking of cancelling mine as well and not having TV, it will be a good break away and if there is a time I want to watch, Netflix or the internet works.

 

[WalterSobchak]

Well, more tests have shown that I have a on enlarged left  ventricle. Safe bet at this point that it's because I've had high blood pressure for some time. Possible angiogram coming... Getting old sucks. Dear tmlfans friends, let this be a lesson to you all... Get regular checkups and don't go years between them. - I wish I had caught this sooner.

This sounds like tough luck Sarge but at least it was caught. Look at it from a neutral point of view and realise it could have been much much worse. 

 

[Fanatic]

A couple of months ago I watched the movie Forks Over Knives and then read the book by Esselstyn as well. Then on July 1st I started completely as an oil free vegan.

Nearly one month in and I feel great. The hardest part for me was losing meat but in the household the hardest part was losing all oils - which meant a lot of new things to learn for cooking and baking.

We said we would try one month and see how we felt. Now I don't think we will ever go back!

 

[maplesyrup]

Well, more tests have shown that I have a on enlarged left  ventricle. Safe bet at this point that it's because I've had high blood pressure for some time. Possible angiogram coming... Getting old sucks. Dear tmlfans friends, let this be a lesson to you all... Get regular checkups and don't go years between them. - I wish I had caught this sooner.

This sounds like tough luck Sarge but at least it was caught. Look at it from a neutral point of view and realise it could have been much much worse. 

Yeah... I used to exercise so I could indulge myself. Now in addition to exercise, I just can't indulge nearly as often.  :-\