Diet Change showing results

DThille

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In late April / early May, I took in part of the Food Revolution Summit (from FoodRevolution.org). I was inspired to make some changes. Now, I’m not prepared to go the vegan route (I think that if vitamin B12 is necessary and our only primary source is from animal products, the logical conclusion is some meat / eggs rather than relying on a supplement), but have made a shift to reduce animal products and increase fruit and vegetable consumption. We have increased the number of meatless suppers overall.

Now, I wasn’t on a terrible diet...some would say pretty decent overall, but we can always make improvements. So, in the past month, I’ve lost about 5-6 lbs, my blood pressure has decreased (I’ve been on some hypertension medication for a number of years and monitor it daily). I’m feeling better physically and mentally (although some of that can certainly be attributed to our spring season and getting outside more).

I’ve also been digging into regenerative agriculture and the impact our food choices can make on the planet. The vast majority of our meat comes from animals raised by a relatively close neighbour of our country property, so the animals are raised in an overall good environment, the chickens get out to peck (and you can see the difference - dark meat is dark and white meat is pale and the chickens taste like they should rather than out supermarket stuff) and you can taste / smell the difference in the meat.

Nothing is perfect, but I’m improving my health while striving to improve the health of the planet. Growing and processing as much as we are reasonably able to helps in a number of ways - we get outside where the fresh air and sunshine exist, we grow non-GMO, and can grow food without harsh chemicals. In a small way, I believe we are also working to improve the health of our soil over the long term.

My long term goals are a chunight more weight loss and I’d ultimately love to get off the hypertension and lipid-lowering medications.
 

DTK

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I like your approach Derek. It is similar to mine, including medication, however my lack of discipline means I am way behind you in execution.
 

DThille

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I like your approach Derek. It is similar to mine, including medication, however my lack of discipline means I am way behind you in execution.

Stick with it. I believe discipline can come from a decision (conscious or not). If you get tired / frustrated enough with the present state of things, and decide to change, you can make progress. Progress not perfection.

Good luck with progress.
 

Dalron

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Hi Derek,

I hope your diet change is still showing good results.

Regarding vitamin B12: I have been a vegan for more than 15 years. I have a full range of blood tests every year and not once have the tests shown I'm deficient in B12. I don't take any vitamin or similar supplements.

All the best,
Ron from the Blue Mountains, Australia.
 

DThille

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Hi Derek,

I hope your diet change is still showing good results.

Regarding vitamin B12: I have been a vegan for more than 15 years. I have a full range of blood tests every year and not once have the tests shown I'm deficient in B12. I don't take any vitamin or similar supplements.

All the best,
Ron from the Blue Mountains, Australia.

Thanks Ron. The rate of weight change has slowed, but I’m most pleased with my blood pressure numbers. I really like the idea of reducing / eliminating medications.

Great to hear about B12. I guess it just goes to show that we can’t necessarily trust a single source, even if they are credible.

Take care.
 

DThille

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As an update, after 9 weeks, I’m down about 11 pounds. I need to do some data entry from my blood pressure monitor, but by observation readings have typically decreased 15-20 mm Hg. If things continue as they are, my doctor ought to be able to reduce if not eliminate the hypertension medications. Yay!
 

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As an update, after 9 weeks, I’m down about 11 pounds. I need to do some data entry from my blood pressure monitor, but by observation readings have typically decreased 15-20 mm Hg. If things continue as they are, my doctor ought to be able to reduce if not eliminate the hypertension medications. Yay!
Congratulations and good luck!
 

DThille

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12 lbs in 10 weeks...going on 11, but I haven’t stepped on the scale in the last couple days. It amazes me what s simple change has resulted in.

It makes me wonder how government agencies can advocate food guides that are so meat and dairy heavy. I think it was calcium I came across where the recommended daily intake in the US was nearly double that of the UK...I wonder which has the stronger dairy lobby.
 

Mandy Onderwater

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12 lbs in 10 weeks...going on 11, but I haven’t stepped on the scale in the last couple days. It amazes me what s simple change has resulted in.

It makes me wonder how government agencies can advocate food guides that are so meat and dairy heavy. I think it was calcium I came across where the recommended daily intake in the US was nearly double that of the UK...I wonder which has the stronger dairy lobby.
Amazing!

I believe every place has different guides asjusted to what's more available - or more consumed.
I myself originate from the Netherlands, meaning we have a lot of dairy in our diet. Milk, cheese and yoghurts are a daily consumption, and our recommended diets thusly included a lot of dairy/calcium.

I'm no expert, but it's something I'd noticed before and I was wondering if I was the only one seeing it.
 

krpga60

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In late April / early May, I took in part of the Food Revolution Summit (from FoodRevolution.org). I was inspired to make some changes. Now, I’m not prepared to go the vegan route (I think that if vitamin B12 is necessary and our only primary source is from animal products, the logical conclusion is some meat / eggs rather than relying on a supplement), but have made a shift to reduce animal products and increase fruit and vegetable consumption. We have increased the number of meatless suppers overall.

Now, I wasn’t on a terrible diet...some would say pretty decent overall, but we can always make improvements. So, in the past month, I’ve lost about 5-6 lbs, my blood pressure has decreased (I’ve been on some hypertension medication for a number of years and monitor it daily). I’m feeling better physically and mentally (although some of that can certainly be attributed to our spring season and getting outside more).

I’ve also been digging into regenerative agriculture and the impact our food choices can make on the planet. The vast majority of our meat comes from animals raised by a relatively close neighbour of our country property, so the animals are raised in an overall good environment, the chickens get out to peck (and you can see the difference - dark meat is dark and white meat is pale and the chickens taste like they should rather than out supermarket stuff) and you can taste / smell the difference in the meat.

Nothing is perfect, but I’m improving my health while striving to improve the health of the planet. Growing and processing as much as we are reasonably able to helps in a number of ways - we get outside where the fresh air and sunshine exist, we grow non-GMO, and can grow food without harsh chemicals. In a small way, I believe we are also working to improve the health of our soil over the long term.

My long term goals are a chunight more weight loss and I’d ultimately love to get off the hypertension and lipid-lowering medications.
That is kinda the same reason I am here. High BP with too many meds. I don't like taking pills...
A friend of a friend (you know how that goes) said beets are really good for High BP. I thought what utter BS and ignored it.
My friend came back a couple weeks later and swore it's true. What is it you may ask... beets.
Fresh, organic is best of course. I make a smoothie and drink 1 larger or 2 smallish smoothies a day.
Beets, fruit, some dairy and coconut water to top up the blender. Nothing special, no magic and best of all grow it yourself (why I am here)
Or simple ingredients at the shop. I am averaging down (high 40 to 50 points) (low 10 to 20 points) and pulse, usually under 90
Yes I was a walking heart attack waiting to happen. So I'm here because I saw Marks' beet video on YT.
I want a raised beet bed! I know that the help and information here will be invaluable. USA Zone 7b to 8

Happy Saturday! K
 

Mandy Onderwater

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That is kinda the same reason I am here. High BP with too many meds. I don't like taking pills...
A friend of a friend (you know how that goes) said beets are really good for High BP. I thought what utter BS and ignored it.
My friend came back a couple weeks later and swore it's true. What is it you may ask... beets.
Fresh, organic is best of course. I make a smoothie and drink 1 larger or 2 smallish smoothies a day.
Beets, fruit, some dairy and coconut water to top up the blender. Nothing special, no magic and best of all grow it yourself (why I am here)
Or simple ingredients at the shop. I am averaging down (high 40 to 50 points) (low 10 to 20 points) and pulse, usually under 90
Yes I was a walking heart attack waiting to happen. So I'm here because I saw Marks' beet video on YT.
I want a raised beet bed! I know that the help and information here will be invaluable. USA Zone 7b to 8

Happy Saturday! K
What's stopping you from getting a full bed of beets ?
 

DThille

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I hadn’t thought of updating this thread.

In November, I saw my doctor and we reduced one blood pressure medication.

After a bit of a stall through the winter (and Christmas food), I’m now down about 25 pounds total, the lightest I’ve been since 1996. BMI is now under 30. Visiting the doctor yesterday saw her scale place me 4 kg less than November and blood pressure was good to low, so the next level of medication has been removed.

Life is good. Less chemicals, feeling better overall, puppy has helped increase exercise, and of course spring gardening has me doing quite a bit more (not to mention getting into the soil, which some suggest helps support a diverse healthy micro biome).

A few more pounds to go and I’ll be the lightest my wife has ever known me to be….
 

DThille

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After the doctor visit in May, we reduced blood pressure medication again. We are approaching 15 months on this adventure and I'm teetering on 30 lbs of weight loss. It's starting to get expensive as I'm down two pant sizes and I didn't have any that small around any more. I've given away the biggest ones so I'm not allowed to balloon again.

In essence, I'm the lightest and oldest my wife has ever known me to be (we met in the fall of 1993).
 
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