Lifestyle Changes

Today marks a week since I began some life changes. We went to dinner with my daughter and her husband last Friday night, and something came up about my blood pressure being elevated. They gave me a lecture (a kind one, but a direct one) about how I needed to change my exercise and diet. jenny talked to me about foods I could eat and David convinced me I could get running shoes that would take the stress off my knees (that is why I had quit running 15 years ago).

That night, Beverly and I took a long walk -- and I ran about a half a mile. Saturday, I went to the shoe store and got fitted with some running shoes. Since then (except for Easter lunch), I have eaten only salad, fruit, granola, grilled fish or chlcken, sweet potatoes and steamed vegetables. I have worked out 5 days. I ran 2.6 miles yesterday, and walked an additional 2.2.

I have to be honest: I never expected the food to be so good! I actually look forward to it! We have had talapia, salmon, chicken fajitas and grilled chicken breasts. And the steamed veggies are delicious. I am able to eat to my fill, and yet consume about 500-600 calories per meal.

Result: This morning, I weigh 7 pounds less than I did last Friday. And my bloodpressure? It is already coming back into line.

I don't even desire fried foods right now. Beverly got a new cookbook that we are looking forward to trying. It's really fun. I can see this being a totally new lifestyle for us.
____________________

On a different note about lifestyles: GMA reported this morning on the desire to find a "gay" gene. There is an element in our culture that is determined to find it. The end of the story might be similar to the Emperor's New Clothes. They will just tell everyone there is one -- and people will quote the "experts." Kind of like the revelation this week about the study that found that lung cancer isn't so bad because it is treatable. The study was funded by a tobacco company.