The Great SALT CHALLENGE!

jennyredfern

Hi Guys,

A recent doctor's visit resulted in my recent motivation to DECREASE my sodium and INCREASE my daily potassium in hopes to DECREASE my blood pressure and avoiding a more pharmaceutical method.

DID YOU KNOW....

* Each day your sodium intake should be about or under 2000mg?

* Each day your potassium intake should be at least 4700mg, or even better 3times your sodium intake?

* Most Americans sodium intake is triple the daily recommended amount?

* Sodium overage AND potassium underage both can be contributing factors to high blood pressure?


So.... I have began my journey. I am eating sodium and potassium consciously. I will do so for the next two weeks and then be reevaluated by my physician who agreed to see if my dietary changes make a big enough difference to avoid medication. I will also hit the gym at least twice a week and aim for 30 minutes of activity at least 5 days of the week. I have worked out fairly regularly for the last four years. But I will be more diligent during the next two weeks.

I have been measuring my BP throughout the day the last couple days and have found my average is in the high 140 over 100 range. I am hoping to at least drop to 120 over 80.

I encourage you to friend me and read my open diary if you are interested. I will be adding any friend requests daily. I welcome your opinions and advice.

Also, I HEREBY INVITE YOU TO JOIN ME IN A TWO WEEK SALT CHALLENGE!

1. Daily sodium intake under 2000mg.
2. Daily potassium intake at least 4700mg or even better, 3X sodium intake.
3. 2 Gym (or devoted workout sessions at least 60minutes each per week)
4. At least 30 minutes of exercise for 5 out of the 7 days of the week.


Let's go!

BWBTrish

lol

1. check ( i even have days from around 1200 or 1000 mg and sometimes even under)
2. check
3. check ( every day between 60 to 90 minutes)
4. check ( 6 days a week)

for 5 months now hehehe

BP from 172/138 to 134/78

oh and i weigh 75 pounds less since i started at the first of October 2014

usmcmp

1. Not everyone should keep their sodium under 2000mg. People who sweat a lot during workouts should have more.
2. Many packages (and foods in the database) do not have potassium included. Supplementing with potassium may be a bad idea and put your electrolytes too far out of balance.
3. A 60 minute session is not necessarily better than two 30 minute sessions or six 10 minute sessions.
4. Five days of exercise is a great goal.

Ensure you are drinking adequate water, but not too much.

Mistizoom

Sodium is not dangerous for most people, in fact too little can cause more problems than too much in the average person. Please don't extrapolate the particular dietary advice your doctor gave you to treat a specific medical condition to a recommendation that everyone should follow.

BWBTrish

Mistizoom wrote: »

Sodium is not dangerous for most people, in fact too little can cause more problems than too much in the average person. Please don't extrapolate the particular dietary advice your doctor gave you to treat a specific medical condition to a recommendation that everyone should follow.

For me it is


But yeah very true and wise to seek medical advice about this first.

I eat no added salt or sugar for medical reasons and doing great.
But that doesn't meant it will for everybody.