Monday, September 14, 2009

Do it for your future!

Some days this whole thing just doesn't seem to matter.  There are just bigger problems in the world.  I mean really, does it truly matter??

In some ways it doesn't ... it's just petty and maybe vain.  If I were honest with myself I'd realize that I already am of a healthy weight.  At this point it's probably more about my looks than anything else.

Over and over and over you read that weight, diet & fitness levels are keys to good health.  I've got that going on, so am I just being petty now?  Possibly.  But, I can't help but see that I'm still relatively young and this body hopefully has a long way to go.  There are health issues that I'm bound to face as I age.  I am seeing it now in family and friends and it's terrifying.  I have to do NOW what I can to help prevent these issues as much as I can.

A few years ago my Mom was diagnosed Diabetes.  That sure scared the crap out of me I tell ya!  I mean yeah, it's a pretty common thing, especially as you get older.  And it was scary to realize that I could already see the pattern continuing with me.  I could see myself doing all the things that could potentially lead towards me getting it too.  My eating habits were barely healthy, my exercise was on the very slim side and I was putting on weight - especially around my middle.

First thing I did was get checked myself, and I was OK.  But I had my doctor run a bunch of tests and he did find that my triglyceride level was a wee bit high.  He said it was no big deal and just to make a few changes, but to me it was huge.  To me it screamed "you're fine ... for now, but what about the future!".  It took a while to get in gear, but the thought that I was damaging my body stayed forefront in my mind the entire time and eventually got me to the place where I realized that I had to get healthy.  I could NEVER give up! 

I don't want to be in my 60s and suddenly have to re-vamp my entire eating & exercise habits.  Sure there may be some things that I will have to change, but I want those basic habits to be in place by the time I get there.  As we age things such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, cancer .... they are all a high, high possiblity.  We can not prevent everything, but we can try to be as preventative as possible.

So anyone reading this that is either not yet on the healthier living train, or who is, but purely from the angle of looking good ... please, PLEASE keep your current and future health in mind.  Those who love you want you to be around for as long as you can. 

I'm far from the poster child of perfectly clean eating ... but I strive to do the best I can.  Before the only guideline I had when it came to what I ate was "will this help me lose weight?".  Now, I try to make my decisions based more upon "What does this do to my body?".  I've cut out artificial sweeteners and have very, very little alcohol for starters.  There are other changes I'm working on making too.  Less sodium, less processed foods, less fatty meats....

I used to view exercise in the same way.  Now my thoughts run along ... making my muscles stronger, my heart & lungs fitter, my bones denser.

On another note ... I'm feeling pretty proud of a tough workout I did yesterday.  Most Sundays I run with a group of ladies.  The one lady I'm most equivalent to for running is off with an injury right now and I've been feeling a bit bummed about running by myself.  I tossed around the idea of not joining in anymore, but I still love the group feel.  Anyhow, my husband agreed to join me this week AND we also rode our bikes to/from the trail.  We did a 13Km ride to the trail, ran about 13Km, then rode home 13Km (with alot of uphill).  I was pretty darn exhausted yesterday, but also pretty darn proud.  It felt really good actually!

I was a bit upset this morning to see the scale up 3 lbs from yesterday.  I know it's not really possible, but it's stilla bit disheartening.  But you know what?  It doesn't matter.  I am healthy!  I am fit!  I am strong!

8 comments:

Syl said...

thanks for this post Heidi I agree 100%. I started my WW journey a week after my dad passed because I didn't want my kids going thru what I did, loosing a parent at a young age, it's better to start now, although better late than never in some cases.

Sounds like a run weekend, I would have been exhausted after your sunday :-)

Unknown said...

Great post ! And so true. I am guilty of the whole vain thing I must admit...... But your right about the future. I work in health care with the elderly , so I am extremely aware of what happens when you don't take care of buisness when your younger....it is not pretty ! I love your blog. Your very no nonsense and always tell it like it is .

OldGoogleAccount said...

You're totally right. With the myriad of illnesses in my family history, I need all the help I can get. I'm glad I am doing this now and I just hope I can stick with it once I see the number on the scale I am looking for.

That 3lbs is probably just your muscles retaining water from all the exercise yesterday. But you knew that. :)

Bare It All said...

That is a good spin to put on that workout I'm about to do: healthy muscles, better bone density, loose joints. :)

Tiffany said...

Yep, I totally agree. The health factor should be first and foremost considered, the weight loss is simply a fringe benefit. And I think the vanity thing is okay too. We are human. So long as our priorities are straight.

Jen, a priorfatgirl said...

I started my journey because I realized its now or never, and then in the end, if we want to be responsible for our health, then we each have to take ownership of our own healthy lifestyle; including me! Great post Heidi, really does remind me of the reason why I started this journey!

Missy said...

Forget the scale (easier said than done I know)! You are living a healthy lifestyle and that is what matters. Sounds like a great work-out. I love when others post about their great work-outs; it totally motivates me!

All of you runners...I kinda hate you because it makes me want to try running again and I really hate running. But it's just so motivating to hear how far you can run!! Thanks!

Katie said...

Great post Heidi! :]

I'm with you 100%