This is my treadmill. We have quite the love-hate relationship. I generally like to exercise. I like to do it because I WANT to do it and not because I have to do it. However, the tables have now turned.

For the first time in my entire life (minus pregnancy) I have higher blood pressure. Yep, it has come as quite a shock to me. Here is why.

I have always had ridiculously low blood pressure. It was so low in fact, that I had to carry around a laminated card in my wallet stating that the low pressure was my normal blood pressure, just in case. When I was pregnant with Nena, I was sent to the hospital because my blood pressure hit 140/90 and that had skyrocked past my normal 89/48. Even though for most people, that was borderline, it was enough to send my doctors into a panic. As a sidenote, it was MUCH MUCH higher when I actually delivered her. I was at seizure level when they finally took her.

Anyway, I went to the doctor a few weeks ago and they took my blood pressure as a regular routine part of the exam. Low and behold, my blood pressure was 129/80. Now, for most people that is just fine, but it was enough to have the doctor hit the panic button. AAAACK!

So, I am having to start on my own to try to get it down. Honestly, I think that most of it is stress, but changing my lifestyle won’t hurt. Or so the doc tells me. I am now making an effort at cutting out the fats and salts. That is tough some days because I am a total stress eater.

The other thing I am doing…. note the above pictures…. is really trying to exercise more. I know that this will help lower both the stress and the blood pressure. I just REALLY dislike my treadmill. I love the convenience and the fact that I don’t need to get a babysitter, I just like seeing something as I am moving. That, and today it cut my hand as I tried to lower the ramp. NOT HAPPY! Ok, so it’s a minor cut… you can barely see it, but it still hurt!

However, I will take this in stride (pun intended) and make the most of it. 🙂