High Blood Pressure -- Part II

As some of you know, six weeks ago I was diagnosed with high blood
pressure, and was prescribed medication. Although the medicine the doc
gave me WAS on the FAA's list of "approved" drugs, the mere act of
taking such a drug would set into motion all sorts of things regarding
obtaining future medicals that I simply didn't want to face.

Nevertheless, there I was, standing in my bathrobe, holding that stupid
pill in one hand, a glass of water in the other, feeling old and flabby
and powerless. Yet, just as I was about to swallow the damned thing, I
realized one simple fact with absolute clarity:

I liked flying more than I liked eating.

So, with that I put the pill back in the bottle, and resolved on the
spot to change my diet and (to some extent) my lifestyle. I was going
to lose 15 pounds, and see if the old BP would follow.

At 197 pounds, on a 6-foot frame, I was not obese. I have done weight
training with my 14-year-old son for almost two years now, every day --
so there's a fair amount of muscle on this 46-year-old frame. However,
in college I was in even better shape -- and weighed just 175 pounds.
So, I knew there was at least 15 pounds of "extra" Jay on board at all
times.

The first thing I needed to do was to make sure that -- whatever diet I
chose -- I was never hungry. This meant that I needed a high-bulk, low
calorie diet. Since I find the high-fat/high protein/all meat diets to
be counterintuitive, I opted to create a diet made primarily of fruit.

Why fruit? Well, it's no-salt, low calorie, full of vitamins, high in
bulk -- and tasty as hell! I decided I would eat two "fruit meals" per
day, and would allow myself one "normal" meal -- which I initially
designated as being lunch.

Unfortunately, I soon found that society plans too many events around
"dinners" -- and I simply couldn't whip out a banana at a restaurant --
so within a few days my "normal" meal had evolved into dinner.

Thus, for breakfast, lunch, and mid-afternoon snack, I created a diet
made entirely of Golden Delicious apples, Bartlet pears, and bananas.
For dinner, I could eat anything I wanted.

Within a few days, the pounds began to shed. Happily, I was never
hungry, since I was constantly stuffing my face with jumbo apples. And
I could always look forward to a good burger, washed down with a
microbrewed beer, at the end of the day. It was the perfect diet!

Better yet, by eliminating my normal breakfast and lunch, I also
eliminated the lion's share of my salt intake. I also started running
with my son, every other day, in addition to weight training. As much
as I hate running, I soon found that carrying less weight makes running
easier -- so I don't hate it as much anymore.

So how's all this working? I just got back from the doctor, and here
is the tale of the tape:

March 22 May 3
Weight 197 185
BP 155/85 135/82

The nurses were astounded that I could lose 12 pounds in just six
weeks, and (thanks to multivitamins, the fruit, and running) be
perfectly healthy. The good doctor was amazed at a 20 point drop in
blood pressure in such a short time -- especially since it had been
rising for at least the last four years.

So, I think I've discovered the perfect diet. I'm stuffed all the
time, I'm losing weight without being hungry, my nightly indigestion
(always followed by Tums or Rolaids) is completely GONE -- and, wow, am
I regular as hell!

:-)

At this rate I should be 175 by OSH, and -- best of all -- I think this
is a diet I can stick with for the rest of my life. I highly recommend
it!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Congrats Jay! Good for you for taking the necessary steps. Diet and
exercise wont cure ALL blood pressure problems, but its a great first
step for most people.

Dave

Jay Honeck wrote:

As some of you know, six weeks ago I was diagnosed with high blood
pressure, and was prescribed medication. Although the medicine the doc
gave me WAS on the FAA's list of "approved" drugs, the mere act of
taking such a drug would set into motion all sorts of things regarding
obtaining future medicals that I simply didn't want to face.

Nevertheless, there I was, standing in my bathrobe, holding that stupid
pill in one hand, a glass of water in the other, feeling old and flabby
and powerless. Yet, just as I was about to swallow the damned thing, I
realized one simple fact with absolute clarity:

I liked flying more than I liked eating.

So, with that I put the pill back in the bottle, and resolved on the
spot to change my diet and (to some extent) my lifestyle. I was going
to lose 15 pounds, and see if the old BP would follow.

At 197 pounds, on a 6-foot frame, I was not obese. I have done weight
training with my 14-year-old son for almost two years now, every day --
so there's a fair amount of muscle on this 46-year-old frame. However,
in college I was in even better shape -- and weighed just 175 pounds.
So, I knew there was at least 15 pounds of "extra" Jay on board at all
times.

The first thing I needed to do was to make sure that -- whatever diet I
chose -- I was never hungry. This meant that I needed a high-bulk, low
calorie diet. Since I find the high-fat/high protein/all meat diets to
be counterintuitive, I opted to create a diet made primarily of fruit.

Why fruit? Well, it's no-salt, low calorie, full of vitamins, high in
bulk -- and tasty as hell! I decided I would eat two "fruit meals" per
day, and would allow myself one "normal" meal -- which I initially
designated as being lunch.

Unfortunately, I soon found that society plans too many events around
"dinners" -- and I simply couldn't whip out a banana at a restaurant --
so within a few days my "normal" meal had evolved into dinner.

Thus, for breakfast, lunch, and mid-afternoon snack, I created a diet
made entirely of Golden Delicious apples, Bartlet pears, and bananas.
For dinner, I could eat anything I wanted.

Within a few days, the pounds began to shed. Happily, I was never
hungry, since I was constantly stuffing my face with jumbo apples. And
I could always look forward to a good burger, washed down with a
microbrewed beer, at the end of the day. It was the perfect diet!

Better yet, by eliminating my normal breakfast and lunch, I also
eliminated the lion's share of my salt intake. I also started running
with my son, every other day, in addition to weight training. As much
as I hate running, I soon found that carrying less weight makes running
easier -- so I don't hate it as much anymore.

So how's all this working? I just got back from the doctor, and here
is the tale of the tape:

March 22 May 3
Weight 197 185
BP 155/85 135/82

The nurses were astounded that I could lose 12 pounds in just six
weeks, and (thanks to multivitamins, the fruit, and running) be
perfectly healthy. The good doctor was amazed at a 20 point drop in
blood pressure in such a short time -- especially since it had been
rising for at least the last four years.

So, I think I've discovered the perfect diet. I'm stuffed all the
time, I'm losing weight without being hungry, my nightly indigestion
(always followed by Tums or Rolaids) is completely GONE -- and, wow, am
I regular as hell!

:-)

At this rate I should be 175 by OSH, and -- best of all -- I think this
is a diet I can stick with for the rest of my life. I highly recommend
it!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

("Jay Honeck" wrote)
[snips]
So, with that I put the pill back in the bottle, and resolved on the
spot to change my diet and (to some extent) my lifestyle. I was going
to lose 15 pounds, and see if the old BP would follow.

Thus, for breakfast, lunch, and mid-afternoon snack, I created a diet
made entirely of Golden Delicious apples, Bartlet pears, and bananas.
For dinner, I could eat anything I wanted.

At this rate I should be 175 by OSH, and -- best of all -- I think this
is a diet I can stick with for the rest of my life. I highly recommend
it!


Good job Jay. Very good job. Well done!

I've rediscovered basic oatmeal these past few months. I sprinkle not too
much in a bowl, water it down, nuke it for 1 minute + 20 more seconds after
a quick stir, and eat it, plain - nothing on it. Plus it's about .003 cents
per serving. Fills me up better than anything I've tried.

Also, grapefruits halves are being consumed around here these days, more
than ever before - no sugar. Margene doesn't like that I scrape all of the
inner white "stuff" out, in one piece, then eat that too. Nummy.

Keep up the good work Jay. Hope the knees cooperate!!!


Montblack
Note to Jim in NC - don't forget the apple in the pig's mouth for OSH. g

Jay I might have to try this. I dont have high blood pressure or anything
like that, but I sure would like to loose 20 lbs. without being hungry. I
have done it on the adkins thing but I dont think you can eat like that the
rest of your life.

"Montblack" wrote in message
...
("Jay Honeck" wrote)
[snips]
So, with that I put the pill back in the bottle, and resolved on the
spot to change my diet and (to some extent) my lifestyle. I was going
to lose 15 pounds, and see if the old BP would follow.

Thus, for breakfast, lunch, and mid-afternoon snack, I created a diet
made entirely of Golden Delicious apples, Bartlet pears, and bananas.
For dinner, I could eat anything I wanted.

At this rate I should be 175 by OSH, and -- best of all -- I think this
is a diet I can stick with for the rest of my life. I highly recommend
it!


Good job Jay. Very good job. Well done!

I've rediscovered basic oatmeal these past few months. I sprinkle not too
much in a bowl, water it down, nuke it for 1 minute + 20 more seconds
after a quick stir, and eat it, plain - nothing on it. Plus it's about
.003 cents per serving. Fills me up better than anything I've tried.

Also, grapefruits halves are being consumed around here these days, more
than ever before - no sugar. Margene doesn't like that I scrape all of the
inner white "stuff" out, in one piece, then eat that too. Nummy.

Keep up the good work Jay. Hope the knees cooperate!!!


Montblack
Note to Jim in NC - don't forget the apple in the pig's mouth for OSH. g

So now everyone has to bring the fruit of their choice to the OSH party,
is that what you are telling us?
Of course, as I understand it, the Kalifornia attendees will be bringing
fermented grape remains, so all is not lost.
Then there are the mid-west folks with fermented corn and apple products.
Georgia flyers, feel free to bring peach products.
Florida, sugar and orange juice products.
Cranberry products from Oregon and Maine.
Have I left anyone out?
July/August is too late for strawberries. There are frozen strawberry
product available at the grocery stores, though.

So now everyone has to bring the fruit of their choice to the OSH party,
is that what you are telling us?

Heaven forbid! ;-)

However, I think I'll be skipping LaSeur's pancakes, omelet's, and
home-fried potatoes this year...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Montblack" wrote in message
...
snip
Good job Jay. Very good job. Well done!

I've rediscovered basic oatmeal these past few months. I sprinkle not too
much in a bowl, water it down, nuke it for 1 minute + 20 more seconds
after
a quick stir, and eat it, plain - nothing on it. Plus it's about .003
cents
per serving. Fills me up better than anything I've tried.

snip

Nicely done Jay. Great self discipline, it is a lifestyle makeover.

I am also a lifelong oatmeal fan but I am more of a slow cooked kind of guy.

I bring 8 cups of water to boil and add 1 handful of flax seeds, 3 cups of
organic slow oats, 1 cup 7grain cereal, 1 handful sunflower seeds, 1 handful
of unsweetened shredded coconut, 1 large handful of raisins and simmer for
aprox 45 min. stir occasionally and turn off heat after about 15 min. No
salt or sugar. I like to add 1 or 2 fine chopped apples late in the
cooking. Take a portion for today and allow the rest to cool, then add
enough low fat or soy milk (stir well) to prevent solidification and lumping
when refrigerated. The next few days I just have to add a little more milk
and a quick microwave. I usually add a sliced banana or other fruit and a
couple of slices of whole grain toast. This is all complex carb and takes
all day to digest so I seldom want to eat lunch or donuts.

I save the running for when it is too muddy or icy for my mountain bike,
which is easy on my knees and my two dogs love it as I can finally keep up
to them.

BP 115/70 YMMV

Blue skies to all

Man that sounds good............No kidding.


Trip

In article gmWde.1212999$8l.1110213@pd7tw1no, er says...


"Montblack" wrote in message
...
snip
Good job Jay. Very good job. Well done!

I've rediscovered basic oatmeal these past few months. I sprinkle not too
much in a bowl, water it down, nuke it for 1 minute + 20 more seconds
after
a quick stir, and eat it, plain - nothing on it. Plus it's about .003
cents
per serving. Fills me up better than anything I've tried.

snip

Nicely done Jay. Great self discipline, it is a lifestyle makeover.

I am also a lifelong oatmeal fan but I am more of a slow cooked kind of guy.

I bring 8 cups of water to boil and add 1 handful of flax seeds, 3 cups of
organic slow oats, 1 cup 7grain cereal, 1 handful sunflower seeds, 1 handful
of unsweetened shredded coconut, 1 large handful of raisins and simmer for
aprox 45 min. stir occasionally and turn off heat after about 15 min. No
salt or sugar. I like to add 1 or 2 fine chopped apples late in the
cooking. Take a portion for today and allow the rest to cool, then add
enough low fat or soy milk (stir well) to prevent solidification and lumping
when refrigerated. The next few days I just have to add a little more milk
and a quick microwave. I usually add a sliced banana or other fruit and a
couple of slices of whole grain toast. This is all complex carb and takes
all day to digest so I seldom want to eat lunch or donuts.

I save the running for when it is too muddy or icy for my mountain bike,
which is easy on my knees and my two dogs love it as I can finally keep up
to them.

BP 115/70 YMMV

Blue skies to all

"Montblack" wrote

Keep up the good work Jay. Hope the knees cooperate!!!


Montblack
Note to Jim in NC - don't forget the apple in the pig's mouth for OSH. g

Hee Hee!
--
Jim in NC

Hi Jay;
You know...after reading this, I think I'm going to try it on for size. I
don't have the blood pressure problem, but I've just reached my max
allowable weight at 190 and it's time to start going the other way. I'll let
you know how I'm doing. Starting tomorrow morning!!
Dudley

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
ups.com...
As some of you know, six weeks ago I was diagnosed with high blood
pressure, and was prescribed medication. Although the medicine the doc
gave me WAS on the FAA's list of "approved" drugs, the mere act of
taking such a drug would set into motion all sorts of things regarding
obtaining future medicals that I simply didn't want to face.

Nevertheless, there I was, standing in my bathrobe, holding that stupid
pill in one hand, a glass of water in the other, feeling old and flabby
and powerless. Yet, just as I was about to swallow the damned thing, I
realized one simple fact with absolute clarity:

I liked flying more than I liked eating.

So, with that I put the pill back in the bottle, and resolved on the
spot to change my diet and (to some extent) my lifestyle. I was going
to lose 15 pounds, and see if the old BP would follow.

At 197 pounds, on a 6-foot frame, I was not obese. I have done weight
training with my 14-year-old son for almost two years now, every day --
so there's a fair amount of muscle on this 46-year-old frame. However,
in college I was in even better shape -- and weighed just 175 pounds.
So, I knew there was at least 15 pounds of "extra" Jay on board at all
times.

The first thing I needed to do was to make sure that -- whatever diet I
chose -- I was never hungry. This meant that I needed a high-bulk, low
calorie diet. Since I find the high-fat/high protein/all meat diets to
be counterintuitive, I opted to create a diet made primarily of fruit.

Why fruit? Well, it's no-salt, low calorie, full of vitamins, high in
bulk -- and tasty as hell! I decided I would eat two "fruit meals" per
day, and would allow myself one "normal" meal -- which I initially
designated as being lunch.

Unfortunately, I soon found that society plans too many events around
"dinners" -- and I simply couldn't whip out a banana at a restaurant --
so within a few days my "normal" meal had evolved into dinner.

Thus, for breakfast, lunch, and mid-afternoon snack, I created a diet
made entirely of Golden Delicious apples, Bartlet pears, and bananas.
For dinner, I could eat anything I wanted.

Within a few days, the pounds began to shed. Happily, I was never
hungry, since I was constantly stuffing my face with jumbo apples. And
I could always look forward to a good burger, washed down with a
microbrewed beer, at the end of the day. It was the perfect diet!

Better yet, by eliminating my normal breakfast and lunch, I also
eliminated the lion's share of my salt intake. I also started running
with my son, every other day, in addition to weight training. As much
as I hate running, I soon found that carrying less weight makes running
easier -- so I don't hate it as much anymore.

So how's all this working? I just got back from the doctor, and here
is the tale of the tape:

March 22 May 3
Weight 197 185
BP 155/85 135/82

The nurses were astounded that I could lose 12 pounds in just six
weeks, and (thanks to multivitamins, the fruit, and running) be
perfectly healthy. The good doctor was amazed at a 20 point drop in
blood pressure in such a short time -- especially since it had been
rising for at least the last four years.

So, I think I've discovered the perfect diet. I'm stuffed all the
time, I'm losing weight without being hungry, my nightly indigestion
(always followed by Tums or Rolaids) is completely GONE -- and, wow, am
I regular as hell!

:-)

At this rate I should be 175 by OSH, and -- best of all -- I think this
is a diet I can stick with for the rest of my life. I highly recommend
it!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"