Dealing with an elderly parent part II

Normally I don't delve too much about my "personal" life here unless I feel it can benefit others.

I had a family emergency this week regarding my father who is diabetic and insulin dependent. He was transferred from the Marion VA Hospital to the one here in Saint Louis. Thankfully there are benefits out there for veterans like my dad and myself when the need should arise.

However, I can easily see how more money needs to be filtered into the VA hospitals in this country for several reasons (it's just not Walter Reed--check out this story for more reasons why we need to be an active voice for our nation's veterans):

The scandal has reverberated through generations of veterans. "It's been a potent reminder of past indignities and past traumas," said Thomas A. Mellman, a professor of psychiatry at Howard University who specializes in post-traumatic stress and has worked in Veterans Affairs hospitals. "The fact that it's been responded to so quickly has created mixed feelings -- gratification, but obvious regret and anger that such attention wasn't given before, especially for Vietnam veterans."

Across the country, some military quarters for wounded outpatients are in bad shape, according to interviews, Government Accountability Office reports and transcripts of congressional testimony. The mold, mice and rot of Walter Reed's Building 18 compose a familiar scenario for many soldiers back from Iraq or Afghanistan who were shipped to their home posts for treatment. Nearly 4,000 outpatients are currently in the military's Medical Holding or Medical Holdover companies, which oversee the wounded. Soldiers and veterans report bureaucratic disarray similar to Walter Reed's: indifferent, untrained staff; lost paperwork; medical appointments that drop from the computers; and long waits for consultations.

My personal observations

1. They are understaffed (big time)
2. The hospitals are outdated and in need of repair. (The conditions which these vets are hospitalized in leaves allot to be desired).
3. With the influx of war veterans the US Government has to step up to the plate and fix these problems...along with everything else that is in need of help in the VA system.

Be your own advocate

Being a diabetic means watching (diligently...almost religiously) what you eat and HOW you take care of your body. Dad, for whatever reason, doesn't take care of himself like he should with this disease.

Everything falls on mom or the children.

I cannot stress enough how important it is for parents to ensure that they can manage their health care. Create living wills, make sure your affairs are in order (for the inevitable), use common sense....(canNOT stress that enough).

Children are there, of course for the moral support and if need to be to step in. But at the same time I am a strong advocate of people taking charge of their lives if they are capable of doing so. Don't get lazy or stubborn about these issues. I for one plan on making sure that my affairs are in order, that I use common sense when it comes to my health, and to create the least amount of stress for my only child when that time does arise in the far off future.

Taking care of my health now, mental and physical not only is common sense but a responsibility that I have to myself and to my family.

Be your own advocate!!!

Taking control

I watched a show this afternoon on TLC: Big as Life, regarding the alarming rate of obesity rising in America. Over half of the US population is overweight. An alarming statistic. The American map pictured illustrates U.S. Obesity Trends 1989–2007. According to the progam by the end of this century 100% of the US population will be overweight. My jaw dropped on THAT one.

Obesity as an epidemic....What could this mean? Are people not controlling their portions? Are we becoming a nation of fast food eaters? Laziness? What is it?

Stress........OCD compulsions.........bad habits.............a quick fix............a set lifestyle?

Yes, I too was overweight at 190 pounds and I decided to take control of what I put in my mouth. Lost 50 pounds in three years. It can be done but not by dieting alone if you do not consciously alter your eating habits. What I found with myself at least....is that when I deprived myself of certain goodies (i.e. McDonald's...love their french fries...chocolate, soda) I would overcompensate and all those intense calorie counting days were shot in an instant.

I had to control my desires, urges...whatever you wish to call it. Quit feeling sorry for myself and take charge of my life. My life.

I completely understand that there are predisposed conditions out there (genetics) which can cause people to gain weight no matter how little they eat. I would think that as the pounds were put on these individuals would actively seek out help in finding out why they continue to gain weight. When do we accept responsibility for our own life?

We don't want to become a society where our health care system becomes overtaxed because of simple solutions. For one, diabetes is a horrible disease, not to mention heart disease, high blood pressure and a slew of other issues out there which can take away a wonderful life.

What makes some individuals take control and others let go?

Depression?

Pity?

What?

Overweight and Obesity: An Overview

--Overweight and obesity result from an energy imbalance. This involves eating too many calories and not getting enough physical activity.
--Body weight is the result of genes, metabolism, behavior, environment, culture, and socioeconomic status.
--Behavior and environment play a large role causing people to be overweight and obese. These are the greatest areas for prevention and treatment actions.

For myself I became tired of being tired so I decided...because something clicked within me to say enough is enough. Diabetes runs in my family, both sides and I didn't want to become a victim as it has claimed my father, grandmother, great grandmother and countless others.

Change.............just a word but can mean so much...............

Taking control of how you live your life and being proactive in staying healthy goes a long way.

A long way.

The Morning Blah's

Never in a million years will I ever be a morning person.

Never.

But I am not one to dilly dally in bed once the alarm goes off (sadly I am usually up prior to it going off) or Simba will take it upon himself to begin his onslaught of meows as soon as daylight hits......I gotta find a way to cure him of that.

I honestly don't know if I am an afternoon or evening person either.

You can take this quiz and find out what you are.

You Are an Afternoon Person

You can find energy any time of the day ... or night! You prefer to be out and about when most other people are. Very early mornings or very late nights aren't really your thing. You're practically solar powered, and the afternoon is when you do best.

Are You a Morning Person or Night Person?

Exercising for the "right" reasons

When I ventured on my "quest" to lose weight little did I know three years later I would have surpassed my goal--ending up losing 50 pounds. At 37 years of age I felt completely overwhelmed, weighing in a 190 pounds, all piled on a 5'7" frame. I realized I had to lose the weight. With heart disease and diabetes prevalent on both sides of my family, I had to take action....and I did.

I exercised for the right reasons...those were a.) To Lose Weight and b.) To stay healthy.

Right now my goal is to firm up this soon to be 40 year old body and greet the decade with grace and style.

There are many other advantageous reasons for staying in shape...besides looking good ;^) Exercise adds energy, motivation, and overall well-being.

If you exercise to look good for others and not for yourself how true to your goals are you really being? Sure it's a wonderful motivator but when you base your self-worth solely on what others think of you how long do you think the routine will last....and honestly...what would you be feeling in regards to your own sense of self?

Getting fit for all the right reasons explores this issue: Women need to find the intrinsic joy in exercise. Discovering this motivating tool seems to be the key in overall mental and physical well-being. The authors of the blog discuss overcoming exercise fears, and getting women to improve their outlook on life.

As they stated...it isn't an easy road to follow but one well worth the journey.

Banking Leave

As a government worker I don't get a predetermined amount of sick days or annual leave at the beginning of each year. Instead I earn my benefits every pay period. I can bank my leave for vacation or an emergency or use it as it comes which is not a good thing to do.

I am trying to bank my leave for my brother's wedding...save up my sick leave for myself or whatever family emergencies come about.

I kind of wish that American workers had better benefits in terms of our vacation/sick leave like other industrialized nations. Sometimes we drag ourselves to work when we should really remain at home recovering from an illness, injury, you name it; but allot of us don't because we are trying to save up leave. That or we are hesitant to take it due to the policies of (put name of company here) and losing our job. Another reason I am SO GRATEFUL to work where I do. Of course we have people who abuse their allotted annual/sick leave and they can be placed on leave restriction. And deservedly so. You are there to work not to get paid for being absentia.

At NARA we utilize flex time and it comes in handy when I have say a dr's appt. I can go to work around 6am...leave at 2:30 and schedule my dr's appt. for later in afternoon all the while keeping my leave intact. Trust me, flex time is a WONDERFUL benefit to have and to be used wisely.

With overtime offered again (on my knees thanking the overtime gods.) I see this as a Godsend during these economic woes. I will be working roughly 60 hour weeks for the next couple of weeks.

(This gal sorely needs a vacation on the beach somewhere...or mountains...someplace relaxing.)

As a federal employee I am most grateful for the paid holidays....especially when they land on either a Friday or Monday because it gives me 3 days of respite.

I think about American workers who do not have the same benefits as myself, work two or more jobs to make ends meet and rarely get any time off.

When I think about those individuals makes me realize how lucky I am in so many regards to have my own federal benefits package.

But will still be banking that leave.

American Worker: Most Productive? But At What Cost?

I was discussing with one of my fellow co-workers regarding vacation/sick leave here in the US compared to other industrialized nations. Seems to me that Americans are one of the most stressed out individuals.

The New York Times article, Always on the Job, Employees Pay With Health stated that: "American workers are stressed out, and in an unforgiving economy, they are becoming more so every day.

Sixty-two percent say their workload has increased over the last six months; 53 percent say work leaves them "overtired and overwhelmed."

My dad...he worked on his feet 8 hours a day despite his weak heart and diabetic condition. He ended up having a major heart attack one evening after work. We all knew he was in ill health however dear ol' dad...months proceeding the event, he did not want to lose his job so he continued to work until the heart attack placed him on disability.

What is sad is that Americans tend to hit rock bottom when it comes to vacation days:

Average Number of Vacation Days Around the World Per Year

Italy
42 days
France
37 days
Germany
35 days
Brazil
34 days
United Kingdom
28 days
Canada
26 days
Korea
25 days
Japan
25 days
U.S.
13 days

Along with this surge is America's top notch place in global productivity:

A new study of productivity in different countries -- the most authoritative comparison to date -- shows that the United States commands a significant lead over Europe and Japan in output per worker.

In 1990, a full-time American worker produced $49,600 of goods and services a year. In dollars of equivalent purchasing power, a German worker produced $44,200, a Japanese worker $38,200 and a British worker only $37,100, according to the study by the McKinsey Global Institute, a Washington offshoot of the McKinsey consulting firm, together with three of the nation's top productivity experts, including the Nobel Laureate Robert Solow. Competition Is Cited.

At what cost to Americans does this so-called higher productivity mean? If we were to allot American workers more time off of work would this improve our nation overall (reduce the overall health care spending--create happier workers which translate into higher productivity????) or would this become the beginning of the end for our place within the global world market?

But can American workers mentally and physically afford to continue on WITH their current pace????

The Debate

Right now mulling over should I drag myself out of bed early mornings or wait until after work....(when this place can mentally drain you). I am not a morning person, as the previous posting described, yet I hate going to the gym after a full day's work. So I decided to conduct some research (the ever-lovin' nerd in me), to see which is most beneficial:

Why is Morning Exercise Better?

Researchers believe that morning exercise may help to set a person’s circadian rhythms (body clock) to be awake during the day and asleep at night. Exercising at night may create the pattern that the body is too awake in the evening.

"If you are an evening person and someone tells you to exercise in the morning, you will never enjoy it (and not stay with it). So the best message is to exercise when you feel most comfortable," said William J. Evans, a physiologist at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. (I am an afternoon person...but have not stuck with the previous workout plan due to fatigue AFTER work...so maybe I need to reevaluate my schedule).

Because I suffer insomia on occasion I think my choice has already been made. But that lawn chair looks quite inviting don'cha think?

Marital advice

I was reading my Prevention Mag regarding heart healing and marital discord.

According to Dr. Arthur Agatson, his article Married to Heart Health:

Spouses who reported a lot of negative encounters with their partner had blood pressure that was on average 5 points higher than that of single people. The emotional stress of a difficult marriage typically causes adrenaline levels in the blood to spike, raising blood pressure; it can also cause blood vessels to spasm. Worse, women who keep their feelings to themselves during arguments with their husband have a four times greater risk of dying than women who do not, according to findings reported in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine.

So obviously, the quality of your marriage is a key factor in determining whether your heart will benefit from it.

He discusses the benefits of couples being able to freely argue with one another without storing all their pent up emotions for fear of causing marital rift.

Talk therapy
Good communication is key to a vital, healthful marriage. John Gottman, PhD, executive director of the Relationship Research Institute in Seattle, recommends these strategies for managing conflict:

State your needs If you don't, you will end up blaming your partner (who is not a mind reader) for not meeting them.

Listen to your partner's concerns Get his perspective--empathy is essential to fostering greater intimacy.

Solve problems as they arise Stonewalling or avoiding conflict leads to simmering resentment, bitterness, and anger.

Learn to negotiate People's needs are always changing; good relationships require constant give-and-take.

___________________________________________________________________

Good advice for anyone really and especially for couples who are having problems and communication has become a forgotten tool. They should face their problems instead of letting it all stew until either one or both individuals explode. I have seen couples bicker for the most insane issue(s)....for me it is a sign of a larger problem. The partner will nag over something so benign as taking the trash out when really the person is upset because the spouse is not fulfilling his or her full share in household chores/came in late/etc. and etc.

Being single has its benefits but for me at least if you find that individual you want to share your life with better to have a brightly lit road ahead of you than all these obstacles that make you want to simply give up.

Sicko

Watched an interesting documentary today from Michael Moore. Sometimes it made me angry other times completely shocked. And it brought me to tears.

Forty-seven million Americans, including more than 9 million children, are living without health care coverage.

Each year, more and more hard-working families are joining the ranks of the uninsured.

I think about my father who chooses to turn down Medicare at 65 years of age because it is cheaper for him to receive health care benefits from the VA...not like they are the best but at least it's something.

Dad is on several medications and it truly saddens me that he struggles at times to budget his medication to make it last while in other countries the same meds cost much much less--and at times free.

And it's not getting any easier.

My heart was in turmoil watching this documentary unfold. I listened and watched the various stories unfold of 9/11 workers not receiving proper healthcare....patients unabled to pay their hospital bill being dumped off in hospital gowns in Skid Row.

I wonder and my heart cries out for Americans who struggle each and every day to make ends meet and with the economy spiraling ever downward as it has this past couple of years....trying to remain healthy and pay for one's health care seems to become an ever present battle among US citizens.

What is going on?

Who benefits?

Certainly not the average American struggling to meet their basic necessities.

Warped.

Where is our sense of priority for our elderly?

Our sick?

For the millions of uninsured--and these include people with one or more jobs. Treating the sick is a business not a divine calling.

Tell me please....for I beg to try and understand...................for health care is not a privilege but a right.

Motivantion+Energy=Happy Woman

Self motivation is an important factor in anyone's life, especially mine.

I look back at the pivotal moments which influenced the person I am today and these were accomplished with a driving will to get what I desired.

Motivating yourself will keep you moving forward.

Finding what motivates you is the real question and should be answered.

Energy to reach such a level of motivation can stem from either positive or negative influences within your life....the key is that it takes some overpowering factor to push a person forward.

Unless you are born with the inert passion sustaining you 24/7----for most people it seems (at least to me) have to have some kind of catalyst to spur them into action.

Motivation can cause self-awareness to accept and deal with life's challenges.

Having that all consuming inner fire to do well, (trust me) will push that person into wanting to be in a better place than they were before. And who wouldn't want to?

Who wants to live in misery?

Does success bring us happiness or is it the other way around?

According to, Galina Pembroke, research conducted by Sonja Lyubomirsky and colleagues at the University of California (who reviewed 225 studies with a collective 275,000 participants) has revealed that happy people are more successful in marriage and work and enjoy better mental and physical health.

People who report feeling satisfied before they get a job are more likely to get interviews. Happily, once they got the job, their performance was rated higher than the performances of their gloomy peers.


Not only that but people who retain positive attitudes in life are healthier physically and mentally.

Makes sense doesn't it?

As I return to the gym and into my routine perhaps I shouldn't see it as some evil chore which I must accomplished but as a beginning to something greater---a new outlook on life, on myself, my health, the way I look and where I am heading.........of course this overview rather simplifies things but all in all I feel that people who are emotionally healthy....happy--are bound to succeed in life on so many many levels.

Kick starting goals

Picture of me at "nerve central". Where all my thoughts are written down)....ok...not always but yeah most of the time...like now.

Now I realize I have an honest to goodness goal in sight, I can focus on getting into the best shape possible.

This has many positive connotations.

1. Health
2. Looking simply awesome (especially for South Beach)
3. If I get back into the Army I will be able to retain my sergeant stripes and remain in the military
4. Having an awesome bod...(hmmm....I see a trend starting here). :^)
5. Feeling GOOD about myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I saw how my dad's health declined in his 40's and I don't want to stray down that dark path. Smoking didn't help his case any not to mention ignoring his diabetes.....health is so important and having a wonderful quality of life....

And I plan on living mine as completely and fantastically full of everything and anything as I can.

Eating healthy

I have to be mindful as to what I put in my mouth.

I love sweets...omg how I do love them.

My only nemesis...my vice, my crutch...my sweet delectable....ahhh ok enough already.

I hate fruits. Blech....never cared for them but know they are good for me.

I am going to start taking to LIKING them. Bananas, strawberries, apples (ok maybe not apples)...pears are much better...nice and soft and COLD.

I rarely if ever eat after 6pm. If I do usually it is my habitual cup of hot chocolate....ah yes....a lovely sin.

Anyway, I am going to set into my mind that eating healthy is a good thing...yes a good thing.

Now if it will ever sink in! ;^)

Why Women Outlive Men

I have always been curious as to why statistically world over, women outlive men normally an extra five to ten years. I see widows coming in at my work requesting military documents to file for benefits. So I decided to ck online for some articles regarding this issue:Women outlive men in almost every society.

In more developed countries, the average life expectancy at birth is 79 years for women, 72 years for men. In less developed countries, where high maternal mortality reduces the difference in longevity, women can expect to live an average of 66 years, compared with 63 years for men.“The sex difference in lifespan has been recognized since at least the mid-18th century,” says Daniel J. Kruger, a research scientist in the University of Michigan School of Public Health and the Institute for Social Research.

“Women live longer in almost every country. It originates from our deep evolutionary history.”Women's life span depends on the balance of two forces, according to Thomas Perls, a geriatrician at Harvard Medical School. One is the evolutionary drive to pass on her genes, the other is the need to stay healthy enough to rear as many children as possible. "Menopause draws the line between the two," Perls says.

It protects older women from the risks of bearing children late in life, and lets them live long enough to take care of their children and grandchildren.As for men, Perls believes "their purpose is simply to carry genes that ensure longevity and pass them on to their daughters. Thus, female longevity becomes the force that determines the natural life span of both men and women."I included a color coded map of life expectancy between men and women. Seems like in developed nations where healthcare is readidly available women will live an average of over 10 years longer than the men.

Websites:
http://www.hno.harvard.edu/gazette/1...enLiveLon.html
http://www.sph.umich.edu/news_events...search/one.htm
http://www.prb.org/Articles/2001/Aro...utliveMen.aspx

Walmart's Prescription Plan

Gotta save $$ wherever you go:


http://i.walmart.com/i/if/hmp/fusion/four_dollar_drug_list.pdf

Size 6

Never in a million years did I think I could fit into a pair of size 6 jeans. Why do I say that?

Glad you asked.

You see about two and a half years ago I was a size 22. Yep. I was taking certain meds that made me gain weight and coupled with stress I packed on the pounds.

It was a sloooowwww process to lose it all but in order to lose this extra baggage I had to do it the healthy way. Also a stint in the hospital and only being able to eat 30 fat grams a day pretty much motivated this chica to lose the blubber.

Going to the gym helped, having the ab lounger really whittled down my waistline. It DOES work if you are diligent. You gotta have that drive, that fire to reach these goals because it isn't easy and it WON'T happen overnight. If you think you will see results the day you start to lose weight think again. Having such a mindset can set you up to fail.

Look at the bigger picture.

Keep track of your weight loss not by days but maybe at the end of the week you can see where you are heading and adjust but adjust in a healthy way and talk to your doctor before starting any type of weight loss or exercise program.

Tomorrow is gym day and I am planning to stay there for at least 45 minutes. I want to build up my tolerance to going an hour each time.

God bless me!! ;^)

The Essence of Humor: What Makes Us Human

What makes us human? Is it walking upright? Being able to speak? Clarity of thought? Or is it a summation of all these things and much more? I believe one essential element of our wonderful human race is having a sense of humor.

According to Robert Roy Britt, in his article: Study: Humor Makes Us Hopeful...The finding suggests humor could be a strategy to relieve stress and maintain well-being, the researchers say. The work was published recently in the International Journal of Humor Research.

Previous studies have revealed laughter is good medicine. A report released last month from the University of Maryland Medical Center found laughter makes blood vessels function better, causing the tissue that lines the vessels to expand, increasing blood flow. A previous study at the same institution concluded that laughter and an active sense of humor may protect against heart attacks.

Other surveys have found that humor can relieve stress and contribute to a person's overall well-being.

But why would humor foster hope? Maybe just by inhibiting negative thoughts, said Texas A&M psychologist David H. Rosen, one of the new paper's authors.
Laugher can stimulate thought and cause you to toss out automatic behavioral responses in favor of more creative pursuits, Rosen said. That leads to a greater sense of self worth and a tendency to develop plans of attack for dealing with problems.

I love a good laugh being carefree when the time is right...and yes to relieve stress. I believe Mr. Britt's study has some solid merit and am going to delve further into this realm of humor and what makes us human...

The debate concerning stem cells

Not everyone will agree that the use of stem cells is ethical. I voted yes regarding Constitutional Amendment 2, allowing Missouri patients and researchers access to any method of stem cell research, therapies and cures permitted under federal law. In addition, it was made known and I knew this before I voted that, there would be set limits on any stem cell research, therapies and cures, including banning human cloning or attempted cloning. Violators will be subject to criminal and civil penalties.

I made sure before I voted I knew my facts. I was not going to just vote because it seemed the right thing to do without doing my research. I knew the following:

Official Ballot Title:

--Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to allow and set limitations on stem cell research, therapies, and cures which will:

--ensure Missouri patients have access to any therapies and cures, and allow Missouri researchers to conduct any research, permitted under federal law; ban human cloning or attempted cloning; (I would never advocate human cloning)....require expert medical and public oversight and annual reports on the nature and purpose of stem cell research; impose criminal and civil penalties for any violations; and prohibit state or local governments from preventing or discouraging lawful stem cell research, therapies and cures.

--The proposed constitutional amendment would have an estimated annual fiscal impact on state and local governments of $0-$68,916.

I just read on the news regarding stem cells cloned from monkey DNA:

Gleaning stem cells from cloned monkey embryos, as a team of Oregon researchers has done, is an impressive step. But it probably won't lead to medical treatments any time soon.

Scientists merged skin cells of a rhesus macaque male with unfertilized monkey eggs that had the DNA removed.

One hurdle is ethical and political. Human embryos have to be destroyed to produce stem cells. That has aroused opposition to human embryonic stem cell research, and it led the Bush administration to restrict federal funding for it. Scientists say that has slowed science in this effort.

Another hurdle is the inefficiency of the process. Even if the method described by scientists Wednesday works in humans, it would demand too much of a precious resource -- women's unfertilized eggs.

The promise of producing stem cells by cloning is that they can be genetically matched to a particular patient. So theoretically, doctors should be able to transplant tissue created from them into that person without tissue rejection. And presumably, such transplants could help treat such conditions as diabetes and spinal cord injury.

The process used in the new experiment is "quite inefficient," Shoukhrat Mitalipov of the Oregon National Primate Research Center in Portland told reporters Wednesday.

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Seems like a waste of time and money to me when we could focus upon human stem cells instead. I know it is a touchy issue but I had to address it. Let's see what the future holds.......................

I think about my dad who has diabetes, I think about my daughter who might inherit this trait down the road and if stem cell research could one day help her then I am 100% for this.

Taking the first step towards living life...

Is there a better you? And by better I do not mean a carbon copy of what we see on the tele. Not some fake facade that soaks in what the media says is permissible or is fashionable. Yes, to a certain degree not bad but not to become a carbon copy of other senseless women out there who believe looking young and slim is what being alive is all about.

I lost fifty pounds in two years. It was a slow process. I had to take it one day at a time. If not I would have never made it. Genetics run amok in my family when it comes to obesity. BOTH SIDES....I am fighting that. Not only do we have this but also diabetes, heart disease, and various forms of arthritis. THAT is what scares me the most. Not to look good because yes a part of me is vain...but to look good on the inside also. On my mother's side she had an uncle who died at 100, another at 94 and an aunt at 90. My grandmother is 87. Part of this I think is the Puerto Rican culture. We are a very sociable people. We love to get together at birthdays, holidays and every other occasion in between. I love it! I wish so very much I grew up down there.....I think my life would have turned out so much different.

Why do I mention this? Because family, a loving family is part of the key I think, the process of being healthy inside and out. Today it seems Americans are forgetting the essence of family. Is it because of our wandering pioneer spirit? Our wanderlust to conquer the unknown??? To me seems a lonely existence. I think having a wonderful supporting family is the first step in being healthy. Emotional health is just as precious as our physical one. No matter what is out there being marketed...the best and most free advice that can be given and accepted is through our families.

Because of my genetics I have to make darn sure I do not fall and end up sick. My dad has diabetes, so did his mother and her mother, one of his sisters is borderline. I have an aunt and a cousin on my mother's side who is diabetic. Needless to say I am predisposed. Eating right and exercising is the key for me living life the way I should. Not in pain, not in some hospital somewhere. But to grasp life...seize it and savour it. To love being alive and in good health.

Luckily my work has a free gym. I am not one who likes to exercise in front of others but I have gotten to the point where I say: "To hell with it." My health is more important. If someone wants to stare or hit on me I will kindly remind them I am there to workout and not to be picked up.

Today it is raining in St. Louis. As a federal worker I have the day off. It was nice. I decided to write this particular entry because it was inside of me and had to get it off my chest....

Women and Exercise

I have to admit that when I was a child I was more active. Growing up in the country I had the world at my feet. I swam in the lake we had in our backyard, a bike to explore and I hiked in the woods. Needless to say I was in the best shape possible when I joined the Army.

Now 20 plus years later I find myself harking back to those days...wanting that energy, the stamina, the glory of being able to exercise and keep at it. I do still exercise but of course not like I previously did in the Army. The key is finding and grabbing that motivation...the internal factor which will propel you forward. Not a man, not your friends but you...do it for yourself. Envision how you will feel inside....the strength, the energy you will gain...I remember when I was stationed in S. Korea how I felt after our runs. Granted...I have to be honest here, I grumbled, especially when we did those five miles every Friday but man...I felt so alive and invigorated! If we could capture that in a bottle and sell it...ahhhhhh............

I have discovered talk is cheap...REAL cheap. The best thing is to get into a routine. Think of exercise as brushing one's teeth and having some awesome results from all the hard work and dedication which goes into keeping in shape. Not only that but the health benefits one earns from eating right and exercising on a regular basis is priceless. With 40 looming darkly around the corner (lol) I realize all too acutely that I must strive to be and do my best. To find that strength, the discipline I had mustered all those years ago...to forge ahead, to keep at it...to run, do situps, pushups, weights....whatever it takes to be healthy, look good and feel great.

Losing weight is never easy...

I admire this man for taking the time and realizing he needed to love himself first in order to get into better shape:

Tim Welch was never the kind of guy who worried about his weight.

Welch battled depression before losing 87 pounds through portion control and making better food choices.

In fact, the 37-year-old accounts manager from Seattle, Washington, ate a fairly balanced diet and loved participating in sports while growing up.

"I was thin and fit my whole life," Welch remembers. "I was always active in sports such as running cross-country in high school and swimming on the swim team in college."

Things started to change in 1995 after he graduated from college. Welch got a job, moved out of his parents' house and began indulging in late-night meals with his friends.

"I remember specifically in 1995, my waist size went from a 34 [inches] to a 38 in a matter of months," Welch said. "I got a size 36 pants to accommodate my waist size and I had to ask for a bigger size for Christmas because they were too tight."

Welch was in total disbelief when he stepped on the scale and realized he was carrying 200 pounds on his 5-foot-10-inch frame.

Despite the initial shock, he continued to gain weight.

Even though he fit the medical definition of obese, Welch stayed physically active. He joined a master's swim team, hiked and walked regularly. Because he was physically active, Welch thought he could keep eating whatever he wanted.

As his weight crept up, his desire to exercise waned.

By the winter of 2005, the extra calories and his now-sedentary lifestyle caught up with him. During a doctor's visit, Welch discovered that his weight had skyrocketed.
"That was pretty depressing to see that 262 [pounds] on the physical. Just knowing that I had become that heavy," said Welch.

About the same time, Welch started walking with a cousin who had lost 70 to 80 pounds on Weight Watchers. During their walks, she would gently encourage him to give the program a try, he says. She also tried to calm his fears that he'd have to stop eating all of the foods he loved in order to lose weight.

"I kept expressing a really persistent fear I had of restricting my comfort foods. I felt to truly lose weight, I couldn't ever eat the things I loved -- hamburgers, ice cream, chocolate, bacon, cheese [and] cookies," said Welch. "I felt like in order to lose weight I would have to give up those things."

Welch started to become depressed and ashamed of his increasing waist size. Embarrassing moments such as asking for a bigger pants size and having a homeless man yell, "Hey, big guy!" on the street -- began to take a toll on him.

As a new year approached, Welch reached his breaking point.

In January 2006, as part of his New Year's resolution, Welch reluctantly attended his first Weight Watchers meeting, but not before making one last stop for what Welch called his "last meal."

"I had a double-cheeseburger, onion rings and milkshake at Johnny Rockets right before the meeting," said Welch. "I weighed 252.6 at my first meeting."

During the first week on Weight Watchers, he dropped 7 pounds. Welch also learned how to enjoy his favorite foods through portion control, eating in moderation and choosing healthier foods first. Welch, who was already walking 3.5 miles a day roundtrip to work, started taking water aerobics three times a week and swimming again competitively. The weight continued to come off, about 2-3 pounds a week. CNN I-Reporters before-and-after weight loss photos »
"When I got to 200 pounds, I decided, well, 'Why don't I go for a weight that's a healthy weight range for my height,'" said Welch. "So I did, and by that point the weight had slowed down. It doesn't come off as quickly as you get closer to your goal weight. But it was still coming off."

Eight months later, Welch had lost 87 pounds and reached his goal weight of 174 pounds, which is the maximum weight for someone who is 5 feet 10 inches tall, according to the national guidelines.

People were stunned by his dramatic weight loss.

"I literally had people that knew me that didn't recognize me," said Welch.
So, what's the best advice Welch has for others who want to lose weight?

"Be the best friend you can to yourself while you're going through this weight loss journey. I've always been someone who was very hard on themselves and suffered from low self-esteem."
Welch said he tried to be very forgiving of himself during the whole process and he still is. He said you should congratulate yourself and focus on any accomplishment you make each day or each week, rather than focus on areas were you have failed.

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/diet.fitness/11/07/weightloss.welch/index.html