Change

Change, evolve, adapt...

Stress is the motivator for change.  I was diagnosed at 19 years old with hypertension.  So young to have this problem.  I was trying to get into nursing school at that time and started taking medications to help manage this problem.  After my complicated pregnancy, I change my eating habits, started exercising and was able lose weight which help decrease my blood pressure.   I had permission from my doctors to stop my medication.  These past few months I've been going through a lot of work related stress.  In October the doctor said I had to restart medication because my blood pressure was high again.   This made me upset because I had maintain my 50 pound weight loss so I couldn't understand why my healthy lifestyle was no longer helping me management my blood pressure.

Stress?  Genetics?   I had lost motivation in my health.  I am still working out and eating healthy but a little bit of me feels like giving up... but my original reason for getting healthy is for my family so I know I need to stay healthy!

I am catholic but did not participate in Lent, but on Good Friday I did abstain from meat.  I started thinking if this is something worth practicing.  I've been following a low carb semi paleo lifestyle these past 2 years.  I have cut back on process foods, rice, bread.  I'm wondering if the amount of meat I've been eating may be the reason my blood pressure got high.  That Sunday I watched Food Choices on Netflix and  I really felt inspired to explore plant base lifestyle.  Can I give up meat?  I don't know but I want to decrease my meat intake and fill my diet with more protein rich vegetables.  Will it help my blood pressure?  I hope so.  If I'm cutting back on animal protein that may improve my cardiovascular health in the long run!