I Gotta Get My Blood Pressure Down

Put down the salt shaker and grab the pepper sauce. Made a surprising difference for me.

I hardly ever use salt but the foods i eat i guess have a lot of salt in it. And the rare times i use salt i use sea salt.

So with that said if i start going to the gym and shootin hoops and eating slightly better do you think i could have my BP down in say 3 months? Would i fail a physical with my results as they are now?

Yes you can dramatically improve your blood pressure in three months and you are right on the edge of failing it now. You have to have it at or below 140/90 and that can be with or without medication.

We have a massive amount of information in our wiki, including the DOT requirements for blood pressure and tips for lowering your blood pressure with diet and exercise:

Blood Pressure Requirements For The DOT Physical

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Guidelines & Advice

Thanks that's really upsetting news for me. Well starting this weekend I'm getting a membership at my local YMCA to get started on exercise.

Run. I run 3-15 miles pretty much daily and it has made a world of difference. that's one thing I'll miss once I start school.

This Saturday from 1-5 i'm going to be at the YMCA with my 10 year old nephew he is going to run me around. Works out because now he loves playing basketball.

Here's some basic guidelines:

- Eat eggs, salmon, lean steak, and skinless chicken breast.

- Use olive oil instead of butter or margarine.

- Don't eat fried foods or fast food.

- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, but stay away from potatoes, corn, and other starchy veges.

- Eat good carbs like oats, barley, brown or basmati rice, and whole wheat.

- Use spices and herbs instead of salt. Add them to rice in a rice cooker, it's fantastic.

- Drink plenty of water.

- Eliminate alcoholic beverages.

- Spread your meals out and don't have too much food in any one meal.

- Exercise but don't overdo it.

- Get plenty of rest.

I bought a 27 speed bicycle. When I started riding it over a year ago, I was an anchor. My blood pressure was consistently over 150/90, and I couldn't pedal more than a mile.

Fast forward 10 months, and I am now riding 40 miles per trip three days per week. My diet has improved, and my blood pressure is normal (127/74), and the doctor is weaning me off the blood pressure medication. Plus, I am no longer an overweight anchor.

Maybe something similar could happen with Newbie?

Here's some basic guidelines:

- Eat eggs, salmon, lean steak, and skinless chicken breast.

- Use olive oil instead of butter or margarine.

- Don't eat fried foods or fast food.

- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, but stay away from potatoes, corn, and other starchy veges.

- Eat good carbs like oats, barley, brown or basmati rice, and whole wheat.

- Use spices and herbs instead of salt. Add them to rice in a rice cooker, it's fantastic.

- Drink plenty of water.

- Eliminate alcoholic beverages.

- Spread your meals out and don't have too much food in any one meal.

- Exercise but don't overdo it.

- Get plenty of rest.

I don't drink alcohol so thats not a problem. I do drink a lot of soda though mostly sprite, 7up and ginger ale that doesn't have caffeine in it and says low sodium but if i drink 4 cans a day the sodium will add up. I drink coke and pepsi on occassion. I rarely drink water but i do maybe a bottle a day but now i just bought 2 cases so i will drink at least 2 a day.

I plan on eating more cheerios, bananas and rice crispies for breakfast. I like to eat healthy too but just haven't been lately.