My cholesterol increased 30% in the DR

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Not all gyms have stairmasters. The alternative is to jack up the treadmill to a 15 degree incline. At my weight of 77 kg, it shows I burn 619 calories for a 40 minute walk between an incremented walk of 6.0 - 7.2 kmh.
this is exactly what they do for a cardio stress test, then they increase the speed.
 
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DR fan1990

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I believe that the health care system will be overwhelmed in the next few years.

I kind of expect that as well. With the middle class that keeps increasing, more Dominicans will have enough spare money to eat out more often. And where do they usually choose to eat out?
Fast food chains are always busy with clients in the DR:
Mcdonalds
Papa John's Pizza
Domino's pizza
Burger King
KFC
And more.

What happens when the size of the middle class expands and people start indulging in American fast food more often? So do the rates of diabetes, high BP, cholesterol, heart disease, strokes, etc

At Agora Mall in santo domingo the food court is always packed with locals on weekends. The whole family shows up. From the little kids stuffing their faces in chocolate ice cream, to the parents sharing a bucket of Kentucky fried chicken, to the abuela gulping down that Coca Cola.

But like I said it's a sign of the middle class expanding in the DR, so this is the silver lining I guess.
 

NanSanPedro

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I kind of expect that as well. With the middle class that keeps increasing, more Dominicans will have enough spare money to eat out more often. And where do they usually choose to eat out?
Fast food chains are always busy with clients in the DR:
Mcdonalds
Papa John's Pizza
Domino's pizza
Burger King
KFC
And more.

What happens when the size of the middle class expands and people start indulging in American fast food more often? So do the rates of diabetes, high BP, cholesterol, heart disease, strokes, etc

At Agora Mall in santo domingo the food court is always packed with locals on weekends. The whole family shows up. From the little kids stuffing their faces in chocolate ice cream, to the parents sharing a bucket of Kentucky fried chicken, to the abuela gulping down that Coca Cola.

But like I said it's a sign of the middle class expanding in the DR, so this is the silver lining I guess.
On the other hand, the middle class gym in San Isidro, Smart Fit, is always packed. Very few fatties, self excepted.
 

arete92

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Jul 5, 2018
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This is an interesting topic to me, the reason why is because everyone on the mainland has this perception that everyone in the Caribbean eats super well and everything is so fresh and green - while it is true to an extent and these things are available; it's just not common. The education here is really bad straight up; with nutrition information, it's really bad. White rice, artificial flavor additions, recycled cheap oils and beers. Cheese with bread, sugary pre-packed candy, milk and a bread before bed on top of a culture that hates exercise or any idea of walking. There is this cultural hesitation around exercise and pushing hard I hardly see anyone sweat unless it's from Zumba or kickboxing.

Diabetes is normal here; it affects many. I know a 23-year-old family member who was pre-diabetic, all older family members are pretty much diabetic with high blood pressure and cholesterol. I listen to most people go up the stairs and it sounds like they need oxygen I use to try and educate them by showing them some nutrition sites and explaining to them about a balanced diet since I have been bodybuilding since I was 15 they don't really listen so I have stopped. It amazes some family members that people pay to go "work" out like you're losing and the gym is winning or something.

It's quite sad really cause healthy communities are paramount to a healthy functioning society but both education and motivation is lacking and the last one is a bit harder to change in the situation.

If you have the space try to grow something. even on the roof you could set up a little project ? I am trying to grow some veggies currently and have been getting other seedlings ready, I really would like to try and get my own fish if I have a chance and find a spot on the north coast :) anyways, I understand you, don't be afraid to say no to their offers, the food def will not go to waste here..
 

SteveK

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Jan 23, 2011
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This is an interesting topic to me, the reason why is because everyone on the mainland has this perception that everyone in the Caribbean eats super well and everything is so fresh and green - while it is true to an extent and these things are available; it's just not common. The education here is really bad straight up; with nutrition information, it's really bad. White rice, artificial flavor additions, recycled cheap oils and beers. Cheese with bread, sugary pre-packed candy, milk and a bread before bed on top of a culture that hates exercise or any idea of walking. There is this cultural hesitation around exercise and pushing hard I hardly see anyone sweat unless it's from Zumba or kickboxing.

Diabetes is normal here; it affects many. I know a 23-year-old family member who was pre-diabetic, all older family members are pretty much diabetic with high blood pressure and cholesterol. I listen to most people go up the stairs and it sounds like they need oxygen I use to try and educate them by showing them some nutrition sites and explaining to them about a balanced diet since I have been bodybuilding since I was 15 they don't really listen so I have stopped. It amazes some family members that people pay to go "work" out like you're losing and the gym is winning or something.

It's quite sad really cause healthy communities are paramount to a healthy functioning society but both education and motivation is lacking and the last one is a bit harder to change in the situation.

If you have the space try to grow something. even on the roof you could set up a little project ? I am trying to grow some veggies currently and have been getting other seedlings ready, I really would like to try and get my own fish if I have a chance and find a spot on the north coast :) anyways, I understand you, don't be afraid to say no to their offers, the food def will not go to waste here..
Spot On👍
 

El Hijo de Manolo

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This is an interesting topic to me, the reason why is because everyone on the mainland has this perception that everyone in the Caribbean eats super well and everything is so fresh and green - while it is true to an extent and these things are available; it's just not common. The education here is really bad straight up; with nutrition information, it's really bad. White rice, artificial flavor additions, recycled cheap oils and beers. Cheese with bread, sugary pre-packed candy, milk and a bread before bed on top of a culture that hates exercise or any idea of walking. There is this cultural hesitation around exercise and pushing hard I hardly see anyone sweat unless it's from Zumba or kickboxing.

Diabetes is normal here; it affects many. I know a 23-year-old family member who was pre-diabetic, all older family members are pretty much diabetic with high blood pressure and cholesterol. I listen to most people go up the stairs and it sounds like they need oxygen I use to try and educate them by showing them some nutrition sites and explaining to them about a balanced diet since I have been bodybuilding since I was 15 they don't really listen so I have stopped. It amazes some family members that people pay to go "work" out like you're losing and the gym is winning or something.

It's quite sad really cause healthy communities are paramount to a healthy functioning society but both education and motivation is lacking and the last one is a bit harder to change in the situation.

If you have the space try to grow something. even on the roof you could set up a little project ? I am trying to grow some veggies currently and have been getting other seedlings ready, I really would like to try and get my own fish if I have a chance and find a spot on the north coast :) anyways, I understand you, don't be afraid to say no to their offers, the food def will not go to waste here..
Obesity, diabetes, CHD, etc is not indigenous to DR. This post is more American rhetoric like you're trying to save the whales. You do you, Arnold. Let them do them.
 

keepcoming

Moderator - Living & General Stuff
May 25, 2011
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This is an interesting topic to me, the reason why is because everyone on the mainland has this perception that everyone in the Caribbean eats super well and everything is so fresh and green - while it is true to an extent and these things are available; it's just not common. The education here is really bad straight up; with nutrition information, it's really bad. White rice, artificial flavor additions, recycled cheap oils and beers. Cheese with bread, sugary pre-packed candy, milk and a bread before bed on top of a culture that hates exercise or any idea of walking. There is this cultural hesitation around exercise and pushing hard I hardly see anyone sweat unless it's from Zumba or kickboxing.

Diabetes is normal here; it affects many. I know a 23-year-old family member who was pre-diabetic, all older family members are pretty much diabetic with high blood pressure and cholesterol. I listen to most people go up the stairs and it sounds like they need oxygen I use to try and educate them by showing them some nutrition sites and explaining to them about a balanced diet since I have been bodybuilding since I was 15 they don't really listen so I have stopped. It amazes some family members that people pay to go "work" out like you're losing and the gym is winning or something.

It's quite sad really cause healthy communities are paramount to a healthy functioning society but both education and motivation is lacking and the last one is a bit harder to change in the situation.

If you have the space try to grow something. even on the roof you could set up a little project ? I am trying to grow some veggies currently and have been getting other seedlings ready, I really would like to try and get my own fish if I have a chance and find a spot on the north coast :) anyways, I understand you, don't be afraid to say no to their offers, the food def will not go to waste here..
Education about nutrition has changed much over the years so I would not say it is "really straight up bad". Not sure I agree at all about "hating the idea of walking" because I see many who walk daily. Eating healthy, etc...is a choice, not a lack of education.
 
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DR fan1990

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This is an interesting topic to me, the reason why is because everyone on the mainland has this perception that everyone in the Caribbean eats super well and everything is so fresh and green - while it is true to an extent and these things are available; it's just not common. The education here is really bad straight up; with nutrition information, it's really bad. White rice, artificial flavor additions, recycled cheap oils and beers. Cheese with bread, sugary pre-packed candy, milk and a bread before bed on top of a culture that hates exercise or any idea of walking. There is this cultural hesitation around exercise and pushing hard I hardly see anyone sweat unless it's from Zumba or kickboxing.

Diabetes is normal here; it affects many. I know a 23-year-old family member who was pre-diabetic, all older family members are pretty much diabetic with high blood pressure and cholesterol. I listen to most people go up the stairs and it sounds like they need oxygen I use to try and educate them by showing them some nutrition sites and explaining to them about a balanced diet since I have been bodybuilding since I was 15 they don't really listen so I have stopped. It amazes some family members that people pay to go "work" out like you're losing and the gym is winning or something.

It's quite sad really cause healthy communities are paramount to a healthy functioning society but both education and motivation is lacking and the last one is a bit harder to change in the situation.

If you have the space try to grow something. even on the roof you could set up a little project ? I am trying to grow some veggies currently and have been getting other seedlings ready, I really would like to try and get my own fish if I have a chance and find a spot on the north coast :) anyways, I understand you, don't be afraid to say no to their offers, the food def will not go to waste here..

I've said no to that mountain of white rice on a plate on a few occasions, and every single time, they looked at me like I was from another planet.
"Tú esta a dieta?"
"Y por qué tu no quiere el arroz?"

🤣
 
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Drperson

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20 years ago you didn't see as many fat women. Now at the beach they are all fat or skinny ,genetics I think.
In my opinion 30+ Years ago they didn't use the cooking oil as much.
They used lard which is much better.
I. See people pouring oil over plantains.
30 years ago too more people lived in the campo.probably had more exercise too as well as better diet.
Where I am the First road for cars was about 30 years ago. Not as many people had motorcycles. Now everyone does. Kids don't walk to school.
My mother used to cook with almost no oil, although neighbour did fry foods. I had a coke for 5 cents once a month in the small bottle.

I still see donkeys everyday for transport to the mountains to get cocoa plantains etc. A throwback to the past.
 

JD Jones

Moderator:North Coast,Santo Domingo,SW Coast,Covid
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Education about nutrition has changed much over the years so I would not say it is "really straight up bad". Not sure I agree at all about "hating the idea of walking" because I see many who walk daily. Eating healthy, etc...is a choice, not a lack of education.
Same here.

The track near my house has dozens if not hundreds of people who walk every morning. When I go at 4 in the morning there are maybe a dozen or two, including a deputy of San Cristobal.
Just driving to the track I would see maybe a dozen persons walking in groups.
 
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RDKNIGHT

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Watch the Blue zone on netflix. documentary about different parts of the world people who live into their hundreds very interesting
 

Casino127

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In the country side the worst food i have seen Chicharon. They love it. People love it and they have no limit , ron to digest !
 
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JD Jones

Moderator:North Coast,Santo Domingo,SW Coast,Covid
Jan 7, 2016
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In the country side the worst food i have seen Chicharon. They love it. People love it and they have no limit , ron to digest !
I love it too, but barely touch it anymore. Too many variables can make or break how good it tastes.
 

keepcoming

Moderator - Living & General Stuff
May 25, 2011
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I am on a whole food plant based diet with an occasional chicken breast and salmon filet,I've lost 125 pounds and feel better than I have in 40 years.
You lost 125 lbs? you did this while living in the DR? How long did it take? Please let us know what you did day by day, diet wise, Thanks!!
 
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El Hijo de Manolo

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this is exactly what they do for a cardio stress test, then they increase the speed.
Many times they will inject the thallium-201 radioisotope in solution to highlight potential damage and/or blockages. I had one of these when I was 25 for a suspect congenital defect. After the run on the treadmill, they inject, then you go to a table for a 360 holistic scan
 
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arete92

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Jul 5, 2018
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Obesity, diabetes, CHD, etc is not indigenous to DR. This post is more American rhetoric like you're trying to save the whales. You do you, Arnold. Let them do them.
use to try * as in five years ago lol. I just smile and agree at this point with everything in my life, easier :coffee::giggle:
 

arete92

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Education about nutrition has changed much over the years so I would not say it is "really straight up bad". Not sure I agree at all about "hating the idea of walking" because I see many who walk daily. Eating healthy, etc...is a choice, not a lack of education.
The motoconchos literally will ask/harass Dominicans if they are poor and can't afford the 80 pesos for a ride especially close or in Barrios where people are very rude to one another; they don't bug us cause they know we give zero flying baseballs about it. the sweating is another thing; having nice clothing with sweat everywhere is no bueno. I will say though, I see more people when the sun goes down in the Malecon and that? so i guess that's walking with the purpose of exercise? along with bicycles which I never use to see 5 years ago on the north coast for main transportation.
 

arete92

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Same here.

The track near my house has dozens if not hundreds of people who walk every morning. When I go at 4 in the morning there are maybe a dozen or two, including a deputy of San Cristobal.
Just driving to the track I would see maybe a dozen persons walking in groups.
Puerto plata more people are participating in things like this in the PM near the mountain. but walking as a main form of transportation or point A to point I mean.
 

arete92

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I've said no to that mountain of white rice on a plate on a few occasions, and every single time, they looked at me like I was from another planet.
"Tú esta a dieta?"
"Y por qué tu no quiere el arroz?"

🤣
I just go look at the burros and pollos and they help me; come back and compliment the food