liam13 wrote:I have been struggling with lightheadedness and chest tightness for some 20 years now. I'm weighing in at 248 - BMI is 30.18 - ugh. I need to get serious about this plan. I've read most of McDougall's book and really like what I read, and really want those things for myself. Especially if it can get my health back. I am on 25 mg of toporol XL with BP running average 140/90. I want to use this board for check in and support. Let the games begin. Liam
Well Liam, good to hear you are beginning. The most important ingredient in your new way of eating is not food.
It is time. You sound like you are a bit older than some. You have lived a while and hopefully have gotten to know how you operate. Chances are you are not perfect in your life. Don't expect to suddenly become perfect overnight in this endevor. Just keep heading in the right direction despite infrequent or even frequent returns to a bit of your prior lifestyle.
The only way you'll fail is by giving up. This often occurs when you fail to achieve perfection. You may be the kind of person who can change overnight but you may also be the kind that takes steps to perfect your eating.
Don't give up. Count your achievements, not your missteps Begin to see your health return and know........know that with time you can easily become a very healthy eater.
I'd say you have a great chance to improve most of your vital signs. Weight, blood pressure etc.
Think in terms of many months, or better yet, where your stats will be this time next year. I'm no doctor, but I'd say if you were nearing 200 pounds or even 210 pounds, at 6' 4" this time next year you'd be seeing great improvments in your BP.
Very important is to gradually add in daily exercise. At least 4-5 days a week. Walking is gentle and easy in most locations.
If you don't feel like it, just go out and walk 100 yards. Then you can go home. Honestly, just say to yourself, I'll just walk 100 yards.
Of course, once you get out there, you'll do more.
Gradually build up your minutes per day. You can split it up AM and PM if time is tight.
Go easy in the beginning even if you can do more. Get excellent walking shoes. Go easy on your joints. Add a minute or so each week to your daily walk. It adds up quickly.
As the weeks and months go on, the eating, the walking all go together and suddenly you'll find yourself getting visable improvement.
Liam. It will work. Don't get caught up in the expectations of others or even of those you read about in the book. If you make the direction of your change the correct one, you will get results that will please you in the next 12 to 24 months.
Don't complicate it by making it a struggle or by setting goals that are too aggressive. As a person who is a bit older, look for and have faith in the gradual improvements in your body.
Many on these boards are caught up in much more rapid change.
Your physical problems are severe enough that you know this is about your life. Not only saving your life, but making it better every day.
Treat this like doing something else worthwhile in your life.
Imagine going to college to get a education.
How much time would you be willing to invest in that? 4 months? or 4 years?
View your dietary changes as a education for your body. Your degree is fitness and weight at perhaps 200 pounds or less.
Please give it the time it deserves. Even 4 years would not be too long.
I can virtually guarantee you 99% that if you take that outlook with your diet and exercise, that you will get that diploma.
Is your health and your future years of living worth that investment?
Liam. This is your life, not some dress rehearsal.
OK.......I wish you all the luck.
ps, I assume you are under a doctor's care regarding your BP and lightheadedness.
by liam13 » Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:11 pm 
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