Training & Nutrition - Lower pulse rate and BP

Biking is my only exercise, since I stopped running due to tender knees. Biking only 50 miles per week has lowered my resting pulse rate to 47, and lowered my blood pressure to the point where I no longer need to take BP pills. I am 64, and ready to go on Medicare! Thank God for biking.

that's a great thing! i wish the US media/health-hype trend would really promote that. you hear some stuff about people should exercise, but it's small...

my family has a history of high blood pressure and my mother and grandmother both take medication. starting about 6 years ago at the advice of her doctor, my mother walks like 3 miles every day and it has helped her a lot. even with all my sports (10,000km on the bike last year) my BP is a little high for being 32 - like 130 something over 85 or 90 -- and the 2nd number is a little high but not a problem from what doctors have said.actually i think it was in the low 80s the last time it was checked a few months ago and that was the first time under 85 in a few years. so i think w/o my activity i'd already be on meds...

hopefully cycling and sports/exercise in general will keep my BP under control. (i also already try to reduce my salt and preserved food intake a little)

but it's amazing how our society/culture undervalues basic exercise for which the bike is awesome - why is the car king when it comtributes to our health problems?

Originally posted by nathank

but it's amazing how our society/culture undervalues basic exercise for which the bike is awesome - why is the car king when it comtributes to our health problems? [/B]

It's definately a toxic, pervasive culture.

I live in Atlanta where it was ranked the second worst city in America to ride (which is why I mostly off road). As a die hard cyclists I will brave rude comments and nearly being run over, but the poor recreational cyclist just cannot get the nerve to go out and be assaulted in such an emotional and physical way.

Of course it doesn't help that the car industry is such a king in terms of how it runs and supports our economy.

Then there is this culture of dual income families, super parenting and keeping up with the Joneses so that most people say they don't have time to exercise. This is the excuse most doctors get from their patients. I work 85-90 hrs a week and is raising a kid so I feel like telling these people to shove it. (Of course my house a mess, laundry ferments and I don't cook ) but then my husband doesn't mind and I don't exactly emulate Mrs. Cleaver as a role model.