Finally my high blood medication is off

 

From Pills to Power: How Intermittent Fasting Set Me Free from High Blood Pressure

It’s hard to put into words how it feels to walk out of the doctor’s office and hear the words: “You no longer need medication for your blood pressure.” It felt surreal. Like I had won a long, personal battle that no one else truly understood. But here I am—48 years old, living in bustling, food-loving Singapore—and officially medication-free. All thanks to one unexpected change: intermittent fasting.

The Start of the Journey

Like many Singaporean men, I’ve spent most of my adult life juggling work stress, family responsibilities, and the pressure to always be “on.” The usual suspects—long hours at the office, late-night suppers, and sedentary routines—slowly crept up on me. By the time I hit my early 40s, my blood pressure was consistently high. My doctor called it “Stage 2 hypertension.” Not ideal, but not surprising either.

I was put on medication. First one pill, then two. I hated it. Not just the side effects like fatigue and cold hands, but also the idea of being dependent on pills. It felt like I had lost control over my body, and that scared me more than the numbers on the machine.

Discovering Intermittent Fasting

I stumbled upon intermittent fasting almost by accident. A colleague casually mentioned he had lost weight and felt more energetic just by skipping breakfast. I was skeptical. I mean, we’re in Singapore—the land of kaya toast, kopi, and hawker center breakfasts! But I was intrigued.

I started reading up, watching videos, and slowly eased into a 16:8 fasting schedule. That means fasting for 16 hours and eating only during an 8-hour window—usually between 12 pm and 8 pm. At first, it felt odd. I was so used to starting my day with food. But after a week or so, I noticed something interesting: I felt lighter. Not just physically, but mentally too.

The Changes That Followed

The first thing that happened was weight loss. I dropped around 5kg in the first two months without changing what I ate—just when I ate. My blood pressure readings started trending down. I felt more alert during the day and slept better at night. I had fewer sugar cravings, and surprisingly, fewer mood swings. My energy levels evened out.

Encouraged, I became more mindful about food. Not obsessed—just aware. I still had my occasional laksa or chicken rice, but I cut down on processed snacks and sugary drinks. Water became my go-to. I also started walking more, especially after dinner. Just slow, meditative walks around the park or my HDB block. Nothing intense, but consistent.

The Doctor’s Surprise

After four months, I went for my regular check-up. My doctor raised his eyebrows when he saw my blood pressure numbers. “This is much better than before,” he said. “What have you been doing differently?”

I told him about the fasting. He nodded thoughtfully but didn’t seem convinced. Still, he reduced my medication. That was the first small victory.

Then came the moment. After reviewing a full year of normal blood pressure readings, my doctor looked at me and said, “Let’s try taking you off the medication.”

It was like hearing I had passed an impossible exam.

How I Really Feel

Relieved. Empowered. Free.

I no longer feel like a prisoner to my condition. Intermittent fasting gave me a sense of control I hadn’t felt in years. It’s not just about skipping meals—it’s about breaking cycles. The cycle of constant snacking. The cycle of stress eating. The cycle of feeling tired, bloated, and helpless.

I feel younger. Sharper. My clothes fit better. I have more energy to spend with my kids and less irritability after long days. My relationship with food is healthier. I’ve learned to appreciate real hunger, and to savor meals when I do eat. Food tastes better now, honestly.

But most of all, I feel proud. Proud that I took responsibility for my health. Proud that I didn’t settle for lifelong medication. Proud that I showed my family what’s possible with discipline and consistency.

Intermittent Fasting in a Singaporean Context

Let’s be real—fasting in Singapore is not easy. Our culture revolves around food. From morning kopi to midnight prata, temptations are everywhere. But I learned to adapt.

Instead of breakfast meetings, I suggested lunch catchups. I learned to say no to office snacks politely. I packed fruits and nuts for my eating window. I even started bringing homemade food to work sometimes. On weekends, I shifted my eating window slightly so I could enjoy brunch with the family.

The beauty of intermittent fasting is that it’s flexible. It’s not about punishment—it’s about timing. And once your body adjusts, it becomes second nature.

Final Thoughts: A Word to Fellow Men

If you're in your 40s, struggling with blood pressure or weight, I want to say this: don’t wait. Start with something simple. You don’t need a fancy gym membership or a strict keto plan. You just need a commitment to give your body a break from constant eating.

Intermittent fasting might not be a miracle cure, but for me, it was a catalyst for change. It gave me my life back. And the best part? It’s free. No subscriptions. No supplements. Just time, discipline, and patience.

Today, I feel more in tune with my body than ever. I’m not perfect—I still enjoy my char kway teow now and then—but I do it with intention. And that has made all the difference.

If you’re reading this and wondering if it’s possible—yes, it is. If I can do it, so can you.