need help!

Question
QUESTION: So, I am a 55yr old accountant (sedentary job). I have type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension... my stress test also revealed 65% blockage in most of my cardiac arteries  5'10" and 240lbs. smoked for 35 years and like to drink pretty much every night (not heavily). Fried bar foods are the normal diet for me... I rarely eat at home. Family history is normal.. mom and pop died in their 70's due to breast cancer and heart attack respectively. Could you help me design a program to improve my diabetes, lower my CHD risk factors and improve my overall health?

ANSWER: Well my friend you have some work to do and some life style changes to make. First let me fill you in on some facts about your BMI and your diet. You BMI is 34.4 which is considered to be Obese. Your proper weight at the upper range is 170 lbs. What did your doctor tell you about exercise and how much your body can handle? How high is your blood pressure? What did the doctor say about your clogged arteries and what if anything is he doing about it? Please get back to me with this basic info and I will be able to help you more.
On the positive side weight reduction and a good exercise program may help to get you off your diabetic and hypertension meds or at least reduce the amounts you are taking in most cases. Also include any foods that you can not eat. As for your diet, if you continue to eat fried foods they will only increase the problems you already have. The drinking every night is also another contributor to you health issues.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The doctor said to only start with very small things and not for a long time. BP is around 150/100 on average. He said if I dont start losing weight and changing my diet then we will have to have surgery before they get worse (referring to my arteries).
The drinking is really just a beer or two every night... is that so bad?

Answer
No drinking, it is that bad and it could interfere with your medicine. I would suggest that you get on a vegetarian type diet with little to no saturated fat and zero trans fats. Poly and Mono fats are ok. I would in your best interest tell you to sit down with a registered medical dietician and a physical trainer that specializes in high risk clients.I am giving you a list below of things that can only help you.

Things that will help:

1.No soda's such as coke or Pepsi even diet.
2. No sugar and sugar filled foods
3.No fried foods
4.No heavy if any weight lifting (see what the physical trainer says#
5.take blood pressure when you wake up and at some other point of the day
6.monitor blood sugar multiple times per day
7.try following a GI#GLYCEMIC INDEX# GL #GLYCEMIC LOAD# type diet to control your diabetes.
8. get 8 hours sleep
9. no smoking or alcohol
10. no fatty foods zero saturated zero trans fats
11.low carb diet
12.see a foot doctor and get evaluated and talk to him about special diabetic shoes that you may or may not need.
13. soft yoga may be a good type of exercise for you
14.get your RMR done #resting metabolic rate) this will help you know how much food your body uses at rest.
15.drink water lots of it make it your primary drink
16. drink little fresh juice eat fruit instead
17. no coffee
18.read the labels on what ever you eat. If you do not know how find a class that can teach you
19.eat organic foods if possible
20. stay away from red meat

I know it sounds like alot but you have a lot to overcome and you need to start helping yourself today. Medicine and surgery can only help so much. Your lifestyle is what will help you the most a old saying you are what you eat is very true. Eat healthy be healthy do not put anything in your body that can complicate your health reversal.

Take care be strong and good luck. Feel free to write if I can help you further or if you need advice.

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