any inspirational stories?

"willarch" wrote in message
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About 8 years ago I put on about 30 lbs, and ended up with type 2
diabetes. My blood pressure went well over normal, - up to 145/110 at
worst - and my doctor pulled me up sharp about the deteriorating state
of my health. My cycling had previously reduced considerably because of
work commitments.

He started me on medication for the blood pressure and diabetes, and a
strict diet regime. This began to bring down the weight and blood
pressure. But I wasn't satisfied, and since exercise is a compulsory
part of diabetes treatment, chose to get my cycling back up to a higher
level.

The resulting improvement was equal to one and a half times the effect
of the medication. The doctor was able to halve the medication, and the
improvement kept on coming.

Now, I have brought myself down to a BMI of 24.5, my cycling is easier,
and my health much improved. Last year the practice nurse said "you are
theoretically impossible. At my last seminar we were told that we would
never get a diabetic's blood pressure below 130/80, but you are
averaging 125/70". Blood sugar is under control (annual average now
5.9), and a 50-60 mile ride is within my capacity. My "physical age" is
now 5 years below my chronological age.

So, I would say keep up the cycling, it will do you nothing but good.
And how different riding through delightful scenery in the fresh open
air is from sitting, sweating away, on an exercise machine, staring at
a boring blank gym wall for hour after hour.

Diabetes is a major health complication which I will not address, but let me
say that willarch does not know what high blood pressure is. Before I went
on medication, my BP was 240/120 and I had a resting heart rate of 120. Yet
I was an avid cyclist, not overweight at all and of a cheerful disposition.

No, cycling won't hurt you, but it may not help you as much as you think it
will either. The most important thing is to get on medication if you need to
be. All the cycling in the world won't save you if you neglect your
medication.

Regards,

Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota