Blood Pressure - Yikers!

So, what's up with my high blood pressure? I have always been in the range of 110/70. On my last three checks it was in the range of 140/90 to 140/110. Most recently is was the 140/110. No wonder I've had some pounding headaches as of late. The cause? I'm overweight and addicted to salt. Add a dose of stress and a lack of exercise and..... Viola! We have high blood pressure.

I have been put on a low salt diet and a water pill. My doctor agreed with my plan for weight loss (portion size, better choices) and exercise (starting with walking and vamping up as I feel well enough from my pain issues). Stress reduction is not realistic at this time, but how I manage stress is improving. I'm considering yoga and am doing more prayer. High blood pressure is known as the "Silent Killer." I have no desire to be silently killed. The last thing I need is a heart attack or stroke as I finally finish my last semester of classes for teaching certification.

I'm hoping the medicine makes a quick difference so that I feel good and WANT to exercise again. For now I'm getting some extra walking in as I run to the bathroom! The air is too cold for walking outside -- but I sure am tearing up a path to the office bathroom! It is slightly embarrassing.....

Misc. updates on life (since my home internet hates me right now I will give bullet points vs. detailed entries filled with angst and mirth.... sorry!):
- My best friend's ugly divorce has gotten uglier.
- The husband has allowed unsavory characters around the kids. One came to school and yelled at the 2nd grader who then wet his pants. How can someone do that to a little kid? It makes me sick.
- My (evil) sister's controlling hubby is still controlling and she is now facing the angst of having to deal with inlaw daycare and grandparents not following her wishes. Yikes. Ugly. My (Evil) sister and I are getting along much better. It has been a long road, but now I when I call her my evil sister it is with a smile instead of out of pain. Hopefully her husband will step to the plate and stand up to his parents.
- Hubby's resume is complete and posted. It has been sent out. He even went to a job fair! Pray for his success, he is frustrated since his 2 sister, a brother inlaw, and my best friends have all gotten jobs and he has not. I keep trying to get him to talk about where he is going vs. where he is or where he has been. I think to be able to make a change you must be forward looking and optimistic vs. downtrodden and disappointed. I mean that you have to be this way with EVERYONE not just on interviews. Why would your friends try to help you network if you are sounding like Eeyore? I think he is starting to get it that jobs come through networking...
- My 2 new classes this semester are enjoyable and demanding but manageable -- YAY!
- I feel like I'm reconnecting with my kids after being way to crazy last semester -- YAY!
- I paid off a credit card! There are many to go, but we are down one!