Hello everyone. So the situation is since the NSTEMI (no stent needed at that time as very small branch of an artery blocked so on usual meds) last year is that at home I would say I eat mainly vegetarian and always restrict saturated fat intake 6 days out of 7 and then I allow myself a piece of fish for dinner, slice of cake and a glass of wine if I fancy it (once a week) however, and this is where I think I need some reassurance or “approval” as I’ve been on holiday for a week and have had quite a few more “treats” than normal. I’ve done a lot of exercise whilst away but I’ve not been as strict with myself and although I’ve enjoyed myself very much, I’m feeling quite guilty and wondering if I’ve undone all my good work. I know I’ll be back to good habits next week but am just looking for some reassurance that what I’ve done is quite normal - as you can tell, I’m on a massive guilt trip. Thanks in advance for any advice. ❤️🧚🏼♀️
Advice & Reassurance needed re holida... - British Heart Fou...
Advice & Reassurance needed re holiday treats
Hello 
There might be different opinions but while on Holiday you had a few more extra treats than normal I would say that will not harm you and now you are back on your normal diet I am sure you will be fine
Hope you enjoyed your Holiday and please stop feeling guilty and enjoy the happy memories you will have made x
Thank you BeKind - you always provide positive feedback. Yes I’ve had a wonderful time and at long last feel things are returning back to normal as in I’m not getting up everyday wondering if I’m going to have another HA - of course I still have some down days but I feel I’ve returned to a much more normal daily life with activity etc. But thank you and yes some more fab memories have been made and I’m quite proud of myself to have conquered some big treks around the countryside. You take care too kind lady ❤️🧚🏼♀️
Hello
Well as you have been on some treks you will have kept yourself fit and you have come so far you should feel proud and so please let go of those thoughts you have been having you will be fine x
Thank you so much. Yes I’ve done some good treks so need to continue with that when I get home. Yes there have been some tears of joy after completing some of the walks as I didn’t think I’d be able to do them back in October when everything happened so I’ve a real sense of achievement. It’s been a long journey but I know there are a lot worse folk than me but we are all on our own journey aren’t we? But thanks again for all you continued support BeKind xx ❤️🧚🏼♀️
Hello
So true we are all on our own journeys and yours is a really positive one x
Thank you, yes at long last I have turned a corner. Take care xxx
x
Just think you’ve been given another chance take it with both hands and enjoy, some people don’t get that, make the most of your extra given time🥰
Will do - thank you Ethel14 ❤️🧚🏼♀️
It a hard to stay disciplined whilst on holiday due to a number of factors such as the destination, climate and cuisine. I don’t think a week’s worth of food which you normally wouldn’t eat is going to affect your heart health massively, that’s my personal opinion. If you were eating unhealthily for a long period of time, then yes, that has a higher chance of putting you at risk of worsening your heart.
Hope you’ve enjoyed your holiday. Safe flight back to the U.K.
Tos
Oh many thanks Tos92 - haha I wish I had been abroad but the holiday in the UK with this weather has been just as nice. But thank you for your reply and telling me what I wanted to hear. Funny isn’t it how we do try and give it our best shot to avoid another heart event but on holiday, I have given into temptation but I know when I’m back I’ll be back on the lentils haha! Many thanks again for the reassurance. Take care ❤️🧚🏼♀️
Oh, safe car journey/train/ferry back then 🤣
Thank you - just a car journey this time. Thanks again for the advice xxx
I don't think a week of more relaxed eating constitutes any great risk to your health.
The real risk, in the words of The Doobie Brothers, is that "Once Were Once Vices Are Now Habits"!
This is something I really have to watch out for. On holiday my wife and I will often go to a bar for a drink before heading off for dinner. Back home it's very tempting to prolong that holiday vibe with a pre-dinner G&T!
I hope you enjoyed your holiday.
Good luck!
Hello Chappychap, haha thank you for sharing your story. Yep we’re only human aren’t we and I’m glad you and your wife can continue to enjoy a G&T. I suppose we need to look after ourselves but at the same time live a happy life with family and friends. The kind words from everyone so far is taking some of the guilt away and yes I’ve had a lovely time away doing “normal” things that I didn’t think I’d manage. Thanks again and take care xxx
I'm no expert but when I went through a diabetes prevention review a few years ago they wouldn't test my blood for at least 3 months after my initial test as they reckoned it takes a while for your body to adjust to a new diet. As long as you go back to your more normal habits now you're back I should hope/think you'll be ok. We have to enjoy ourselves now and again.
Thank you Hrty, yes I was told that too about blood tests. I just didn’t want any of the saturated fats clogging me up - as you can probably tell I’m not very good with the science of how everything is broken down over time and even before I did think I did most things right but genetics succumbed and although I was told things could have been a whole lot worse….well I just have to try my best at avoiding another event hence why I feel guilty at the treats but yes everyone has been so kind with their reassurances and I know for sure I’ll be back to good habits next week. Thanks again and you take care too ❤️🧚🏼♀️
I agree with all the other comments and don't think one week eating what you want will have any effect on your health.
Eat drink and be merry, you're on holiday and it sounds like you're being sensible with your diet while there.
Thank you JeanJeanie - yes I’ve really tried and am always conscious of what I should do and shouldn’t do but sometimes when out for dinner I’ve thought “it is a treat” and I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve had but like I said in the post, the guilt trips in but you’re right - it’s a holiday and hopefully a week won’t undo everything - just don’t want it to accumulate on the next holiday eeek!! Thanks again and take care ❤️🧚🏼♀️
Hello Thatwasunexpected - I was hoping you would reply as like the others you always say the right things and you’re right stress has been my major issue along with fear but I have turned a corner and am back exercising now aerobically although not to your competitive standard haha - you do so well but I’m doing what I have to do so yep I’ll stop stressing about the treats now. They were good…..back to lentils next week. Take care and thanks for your reply ❤️🧚🏼♀️
Thank you Runinthepark - you’re right I’ll just have to do a bit more aerobic exercise next week and hopefully I’ll be fine. Oh gosh I’m dribbling at the thought of that Victoria sandwich cake haha!! That’s my problem - sweet tooth!! But thank you and you take care and you’re right “I’m on it” ❤️🧚🏼♀️
Thank you - I’ll try and forget about it now. Keep up with your hard work and the best of luck with any forthcoming competitions. ❤️🧚🏼♀️
Good for you - truly amazing! Enjoy it ❤️🧚🏼♀️
you’ll be fine, we have to live abit…..don’t forget even with vegan diet… the main thing is too reduce inflammation….so speak to professionals and dietician…as a lot of fruit have sugars….
Thank you for your reply SmokeAKipper. Yes it’s amazing how much sugar is in fruit but don’t you just love this time of year with all our local produce of strawberries and raspberries yum! Take care ❤️🧚🏼♀️
All things in moderation (within reason) is what I say. My main concern on holiday is eating out. If TV chefs are anything to go by, the amount of salt they use is silly. I know it enhances the taste of the food, but it also enhances the blood pressure. I just trust that the relaxation factor balances it out. Once home, things get back to normal quite quickly.
I'm sure the holiday has done you more good than harm and has provided some great memories to be cherished. 😀
Thank you GWP that was my thoughts entirely. When eating out at bars and restaurants what are they adding in that I just wouldn’t have normally and that’s why I was worried I’d undone all my good work but after reading everyone’s replies I’m now thinking - I’ve done it, it was a week and I only ate out a few times and had a few extra treats of cake and I’ll be back on the good stuff next week and you’re right, cherishes memories have been created especially on those walks I did - a great sense of achievement and mission accomplished haha! Take care ❤️🧚🏼♀️
It sounds like you've had a great week. I'm sure the exercise has compensated for those cakes. For me it would be the odd ice cream I'd need to work off! 😁
We all need a treat sometime don’t we? Enjoy your next ice cream - I won’t tell 🤫 xx
I think a few more treats whilst on holiday is perfectly acceptable and perfectly normal. I sound similar to you, I am very strict with myself at home but on holiday I did have a few glasses of wine each night and even allowed myself to have chips once or twice 🤣 I also had moussaka (we were in Greece) where I never eat red meat usually. I do think that diet is about balance and the most important thing is you can maintain it which means having treats is a good idea. I had a course of sessions recently with a nutritionalist who told me ‘it’s what you eat MOST of the time that is important’
I hope you had a lovely holiday and enjoyed those treats!
Oh Vicky to hear that a nutritionist said those words to you is good to hear. Thank you and I’m sure your holiday in Greece was excellent and yum everything you had sounds like a wonderful treat. Like you say we don’t do that everyday do we so holidays are an exception. Glad you had fun and thanks again ❤️🧚🏼♀️
I'm glad you had a lovely holiday and you have spent time relaxing and having fun, which is great for your heart! You sound like you eat a very healthy diet indeed, so don't worry at all about one week of holiday food. You're still on your meds and I'd say that not taking meds for a week would have a much bigger impact than eating treats for a week! It would take longer than a week or even two for it to impact your health...unless you were eating only junk food all day every day, which I'm sure you weren't. I should take a lesson from you about improving my healthy eating too, I'm not totally strict, but better than I used to be. 🌻
Thank you Callie456, I’m sure you’re doing the best you can, I think we’ve all had to change some habits haven’t we and some folk are probably stricter than others. Some eat better than others, some exercise more than others but I’m sure we are all just trying to do our best and I think guilt does kick in doesn’t it when we don’t feel we’ve done as good as others but that’s what makes us human and all different. I’ve really had to try and increase my aerobic exercise which I don’t find easy. I like walking and walk everywhere and I’ve done a lot of aerobic walking up and down hills and even a mountain so feel well chuffed! But I need to keep it going when I get home. But you keep going and the changes you’ve made will have made a difference. Take care and thanks again ❤️🧚🏼♀️
Thankyou Heartfairy, that's true and very encouraging 💖
I'm sure it's ok to have a holiday and all that goes with it as long as you do not overdo it !The fish should be fine , I've now become used to having sea bass when we eat out ,never used to like it ,but do now .
Me and wife recently back from Jersey great place ,one hour flight from Liverpool so not to worrying for me re flying!
Thank you PJW17 - I bet Jersey was nice, I’ll go there one day. We’ve been up in Cumbria so a lot of great walks to be had and the scenery is stunning. I did fly long haul 8 weeks after my HA and although apprehensive, all was well and I got the go ahead from all the medics. That holiday was very relaxing but this one - there was no stopping me. The steep hills weren’t the easiest but once I got to the top it was a real sense of achievement. Thanks again for your reply and enjoy your next trip away ❤️🧚🏼♀️
Hi there,
I think that the treats you have had whilst on holiday will have done you no harm whatsoever!! When you get back I am sure you will get back to your normal eating regime. The fact that you enjoyed yourself is all that matters
Thank you Momander, yes the treats were absolutely delicious at the time and I enjoyed every mouthful but just felt really guilty afterwards hence seeking reassurance but everyone has reassured me. It’s nice to have a group of folk who understand what we are all trying to do for the better to help our hearts but also know what it’s like to have treats on holiday too. Thanks again and take care ❤️🧚🏼♀️
Heartfairy ditto after my events and multiple stents. I am travelling to Bali next month with my wife and my 11 months baby. I have been very strict with my diet/ lifestyle..one I am bit nervous second I cannot enjoy as I used to. Maybe we can indulge a bit in moderation and continue taking a medicine, exercise.Still I have pain and needles , anxiety etc triggered so I am bit nervous as it's my first trip post stents.
Would be nice to know how you manage during your trip. Please let us know your experience 🙏
Hello Sodp I’m so sorry to hear you’ve also gone through a heart event and I understand how worried you will be especially being a dad to a little baby plus a long haul holiday planned. I can honestly say, I flew long haul 8 weeks after my HA (no stents needed, just the meds) and I was so scared and nervous but the cardiologist said I was probably at least risk of anything happening “clot wise” because of the blood thinners. Have a wander around the plane as often as you can, drink plenty water and try and relax. I used to sneak to the toilet and stretch my arms and do a few twists haha just to keep the circulation moving. Once there, I found it easier to eat things such as fresh fish, veg and fruit, I drunk lots of water during the day to avoid my fingers and ankles swelling in the heat and it seemed to work. Glass of wine on a night with dinner was a treat but I stuck to one a night, I’m not bothered about alcohol to be honest, my weakness is sweet things (cake, chocolate which I’ve reduced at home). I have struggled more to find healthy food in Cumbria haha hence the treats of a Chinese takeaway, chicken mayo sandwiches and ice cream! But read the post from VickyHK72 above about what a nutritionist has said. If we are as good as possible at home then those treats on holiday may not be as bad as I was thinking. I know it’s easier said than done trying to relax and not be anxious - it’s taken me 8 months to turn a corner so please give yourself time, try and relax and enjoy your amazing holiday to Bali (make sure you have insurance), take one day at a time and treasure the time with your lovely wife and cute baby. Once you’ve conquered this long haul holiday get ready to book another hol and have something to look forward to. I’m sure you’ll be fine - how you feel is normal. Have fun 🤩 - ❤️🧚🏼♀️
Thanks 🙏 so much Heartfairy hopefully this Bali trip is just a start. Yes I need to be free and indulge a bit. I do love sweet treat specially when overseas...I am almost a non drinker but while traveling I used to enjoy casual beer here and there. This forum has been giving me so much confidence. I was thinking of posting similar questions. Yes of course I need to have my insurance sorted before I leave. Thank that is so reassuring, you enjoy your trip and not feel guilty about it. As long as it is in moderation.
I've been thinking and worrying about your post all morning. It upsets me to think that you are being so strict with yourself that you're not enjoying life just because of a couple of slip ups. We're all human and can't be perfect 100% of the time. Of course we need to be careful about diet but that doesn't exclude an occasional treat or a slip up. The important word is moderation . One wrong choice now and then isn't going to make a disastrous difference. Whilst being careful, life is for living.
Hello Qualipop thank you for your reply. Oh gosh I didn’t mean to sound like I’m being extremely strict and not enjoying life. It was all such a shock to have a HA at 56 as I thought I did everything within moderation but when docs put it down to genetics I just thought what can I do to take control of this not happening again so by changing my eating habits it’s opened up a whole new world of cooking with vegetables that I wouldn’t have entertained before and don’t feel too deprived but before I would just eat whatever whenever without thinking whereas now I do really think about what I’m putting in my body. However, treat day is something to look forward to at the end of the week and if I’m out for dinner with friends or meet up with a friend for a cuppa in the week, then yes I will have something that I fancy but I just thought with the holiday, the treats were a bit more frequent and that’s why I was worried it could all contribute to clogging up the arteries further. I completely agree with your reply that life is for living and that’s why I’m trying to be good six days out of seven to give myself more time to live and do what I want to do. The HA really shocked me and even the medics were saying “you don’t look like HA material” as if we should all have a certain look 🙄. It wasn’t helpful at the time but I feel now I’m just experiencing as much as I can now and enjoy each day but it’s taken 8 months to get to this point and that’s why I felt guilty about possibly undoing all my hard work thus far. But I do appreciate everything you’ve said and thank you, I didn’t mean to upset you by my post but I know what you mean - take care ❤️🧚🏼♀️
I'm glad to hear that. Of course it's a shock. Mine was even at 70; totally out of the blue even though mine was my own fault ( CIgarettes) plus a big family history but you are obviously doing great. I just got the impression you were concentrating so hard on your d iet you weren't letting you rselof enjoy life. Well done and no I'm sure your holiday won't have done any permanent harm.
Thank you Qualipop - you take care of yourself - we’ll get there ❤️🧚🏼♀️
When I left hospital post heart attack a comment from a nice nurse stuck with me saying everything in moderation. Enjoy yourself and live life to the full, live for the moment. I’m sure your “treats” are absolutely fine and in general you’ll be doing the right thing. Holidays are for enjoying yourself and you can get back to your normal healthy way.
Thank you ROBBO36 for the advice. I hope you’re continuing with your recovery. I’ll take it into account what your nurse told you. Take care ❤️🧚🏼♀️
Hi, Heartfairy,
In my humble opinion, it sounds like you are doing so many things right! Your diet sounds good; you exercise; and you allow yourself the occasional treat.
Please don’t be too hard on yourself for having a lovely vacation. It sounds like the extra exercise may have balanced out some extra treats.
I think that you can trust yourself to go back to the great daily habits that you have developed. Enjoy your vacation and don’t stress! 😊
Many thanks Smitty1956. I’ll try not to stress too much. Your name made me smile as it reminded me of the perfume I used to wear in the 70s as a young girl. Those were the days - happy and carefree! The catchphrase on the advert was “Smitty did it” although I was never sure what “it” was?? Anyway thanks for getting in touch. Take care ❤️🧚🏼♀️
Thank you for the smile that I got from remembering my own youth in the 1970s. Those were indeed the days!
I’ve never heard of that perfume, but the ad is intriguing 🤔!
Take care! ❤️
Ended up in A&E Friday night; just home at 8pm Monday On calcium, channel blockers. Utterly exhausted. Will do a post tomorrow explaining
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