Pre-diabetes and high blood pressure

chrischicago617 · May 26

I am 5 10 and 244lbs. About a year ago I was averaging 224lbs. I have not been below 200 in over 10 years (im 57). I am on 3 bp medications and the last one added might have contributed to my weight increase in the past year. I need to get my weight and bp down and get off these meds. Thats why I am here.

My biggest issues are lack of exercise and not paying attention to calorie intake and probably too much drinking. Not sure where to get started at this point but clearly lots of opportunities to improve.

rileysowner · May 26

I am the same age and was on 3 blood pressure meds. I had started to lose weight simply by counting calories, but my blood tests showed I had moved into the pre-diabetic blood sugar range. That pushed me to try a Keto diet. For me, not only did that way of eating work well, but it dropped my blood sugar to normal in a matter of months. The big change that happened for me in a matter of weeks was my blood pressure dropped to the point I was getting readings of 90/55. I stopped two of my blood pressure meds. Now more than a year later my blood pressure is usually in the 115/70 range. I could probably come off the final med, but haven't pushed for it yet. This worked for me, but that doesn't mean it would fit for you. It is something you may want to try though.

nighthawk584 · May 26

Hey Chris, The main thing is starting and being on this site. You now have a very valid reason to get healthy and in shape. Let that be your main focus and motivation.

I know for a fact this can all be done. I lost 100 lbs from 2019-2020. I also stopped drinking cold turkey and have been sober for 5 years now...All my horrible labs went from pre-diabetes , high cholesterol , and high blood pressure to everything in the normal/healthy category. I did slip up by getting lazy and letting other life problems get in my way, and I gained 80 back (yep, it happens!) I have lost around 25 lbs now since March with 40 to go by Sept and then get my labs again.

Without MFP and counting calories and exercise, it's easy to lose track and let it snowball out of control. Make sure you log your calories every day to keep track. It's a pain at first but becomes no big deal after logging for a month or so. Remember Alcohol has a lot of calories. Don't drink calories..Eat healthier foods and I swear you will start to feel better soon.

You got this! BTW, I am 59.

AnnPT77 · May 26

I joined here at 59, with borderline to high blood pressure, high cholesterol/triglycerides, and severely hypothyroid (properly medicated), technically class 1 obese. MFP helped me lose weight. It was simpler (logistically) than I'd ever expected, though not psychologically easy every second.

I was already quite active athletically, already getting reasonable overall nutrition, just eating too (bleep) much. Becoming active (in my late 40s, after cancer treatment) was a big quality of life (and health) improvement, but didn't resolve the blood pressure/lipids issues for me.

As a non-tall (5'5") woman, I had only about 50 pounds to lose to reach a good weight for my body, around BMI 22. It took a bit under a year. Now age 68, I've been at a healthy weight for nearly 8 years since, and that also has greatly improved my quality of life. My blood pressure is normal, and my PCP recently called my cholesterol level "phenomenal". I have less frequent/significant discomfort or pain from a torn meniscus and osteoarthritis. I still log my food most days, though not as religiously as I did at first.

This is a process that can work, if a person commits to it. If someone like me - a hedonistic aging-hippie flake with a very low willpower/discipline/motivation budget - can do this, I think most anyone may be able.

Sticking with it, experimenting, analyzing results, learning, adjusting, finding the right personalized route, being persistent and patient: I think that's important. Only giving up the effort results in failure.

I'm cheering for you to succeed - IME the reward is worth the effort.

chrischicago617 · May 27

Thank you both for your feedback and inspiration. I really appreciate it and looking forward to improving. I may need to quit drinking also. We will see.

tomcustombuilder · May 27

All 3 of those lifestyle issues need to change. No exercise crappy diet and too much alcohol is a recipe for disaster, health wise. The sooner you rectify those things the quicker your health will return. Using medication to cover for an unhealth lifestyle is never the answer. Meds only if the healthier lifestyle isn't bringing BP down enough.

elisa123gal · May 30

My husband gained weight in the same fashion after being put on BP meds. From my take.. it made him so lethargic that moving and accomplishing anything is almost impossible. You're damned if you take the meds..and damned if you don't.
He couldn't even jwalk 20 minutes a day. going to work and surviving is all he has done. Somehow he couldn't conjure up the will to do the obvious I am almost 100 percent sure it is the meds.
He is now on Ozempic. and there is much hope.. he's lost 20 pounds.. and we think this could be what gets him off those meds so he can return to his usual self. Before the BP meds, he used to be able to lose weight and get on track like the rest of us.

Strudders67 · May 31

Even just reducing your alcohol consumption and reducing your calorie intake will be a start. I have no idea how many calories they have, but perhaps you could investigate low-alcohol drinks if you feel that you need to have a drink to wind down in the evening etc.

Kait_Dee · June 1

Welcome Chris! We all start somewhere - great job taking the first step. I’ve lost and kept off about 115lbs .. my best advice: pick one thing and do it well .. once you’ve mastered it, pick the next thing and build off that. I always start with what feels easiest - lol! That could be just getting enough water, then better sleep, then portion control (calorie management), reduced alcohol, then cleaner eating,.. etc .. every small step adds up to big change! ✨

Pre-diabetes and high blood pressure

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