Hello, my name is Jill and I am 43 years old. I have been struggling to lose weight and keep it off for the past five years. I just came home from a physical today and found that I have high blood pressure. I do not want to go down this road, and am desperate to make the necessary changes to lose weight. I currently weigh 190 and am 5'4''. I would like to get down to 150lbs, but I am currently focused on just losing the first five pounds. I am fairly active but have a hard time sticking with any healthy plans. I really want to make changes so I can be a positive role model for my two children. Thanks.

Hi Jill. I'm in a similar situation. We'll lose weight and get healthy together

Welcome to the board. You sound just like me. I have issues sticking to plans and having willpower. I'm 40 and have sworn that this is the year I will overcome all these issues, get to a healthy weight and stick to it. It is scary when health issues like high blood pressure come up. You can do this. We all can do this, right?

I joined the board back in March but never posted or came back to the board until a check up just the other day at the drs showed I had gained 20 lbs. Yikes. My health is getting worse. The same day I got back on the board and decided I have to make changes. I'm new here and getting to know a few people, so far everyone has been very understanding, supportive, and caring.

Hi HBP! I was going to give you the advice that mainecyn mentioned in her post: Get involved! The more you come back here and post and read and learn, the more you'll keep on track. It's good to have you, so now, jump right in! Good luck! You can do it!

Hi jill! I was in your shoes well I am working on it around 4.5 months ago just a lot heavier. My bp was 184/104 and felt horrible all the time. My doc wanted to put me on some heavy bp meds but I convinced him I could do this myself. In that time I have lost over 50 pounds and bp is borderline at 130/88. He was amazed. The weight has helped but my trainer at the gym told me some things about bp I did not know and I am a nurse.
Exercise! Exercise cardio starts affecting your bp by decreasing within 6 hours of your first episode. Cardio will work on your metabolism for up to 12 hours after you quick and weight lifting will increase your metabolism for 48 hours. When your metabolism is increased your vascular system opens up and lowers the bp.
You can do this. I do clean eating, no processed foods and walk daily with weight lifting a couple times a week.
Check out the challenges and get involved.

Welcome Jill. You have taken a good step joining here. It's funny how we always think we are alone in our weight battles and that nobody knows how we feel when everybody here knows how we are feeling and the support and information is great. Here's to all our shared successes.