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Walking into a Heart Attack...This is My Story


Go Red for Women


This is a very personal post, far from crafts, and fun things.  It is a look at me, as a wife, mother, and as a human being. I have taken a very deep look inside of myself; and have realized that if I want to enjoy every single moment, laugh, milestone that my family & life has to offer, I need to be around.


So I asked myself this question:  "What point does having a blog to discover the world through my son's eyes have, if I'm unable to do so?"  Wow, that is a very scary thought, and one that I can't even fathom.

I've struggled with weight all of my life, as far as I can remember even as a child I was always the "big" girl.  However, I never had any 'major' health issues until now. A visit to the doctor's office has put everything in perspective.  Years are creeping on me, and as an overweight woman in her early 40's I find myself borderline with high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.  To add to that the lack of energy, lower back pain, and the aches of heel spurs that are most of the time unbearable. 

My doctor put the risks of my current health in simple terms: high blood pressure + high cholesterol + over weight + physical inactivity = heart attack.   When I got home after the doctor's visit, I hugged my son, and my husband. I was so terribly scared at the thought of not being there for them, even as I type this I feel an urge to cry.   Oh my God, I was walking straight into a heart attack!!!  I researched on-line, and read on the American Heart Association that as women get older their risk of having high blood pressure becomes greater than a man's!  Heart disease is also the #1 killer of women!  

Thinking back there was a time during and after my pregnancy I was very conscious of what I was eating because I was eating for two. I was eating healthy during my pregnancy, and after my son was born because I was nursing  him since the day he was born. For 25 months I made healthy, conscious choices when it came to eating.  Breastfeeding my son was such an accomplishment, especially knowing I was feeding my son the best of the best! Nevertheless,  after I weaned him I started getting careless about what I was eating. I had stopped caring for myself, and putting myself last.  It was easy to nibble on unhealthy snacks through out the day, grab a bite of what my son left on his plate because he didn't finish it, or off my husband's plate (yeah, I did that, too!).  Then I had the million and one excuses on why I didn't have time to exercise or I simply couldn't.  Then the pounds start creeping, and then I got my reality check during my doctor's visit.

My doctor decided not to give me prescription medicine because he truly believes that I can lower my blood pressure, and  cholesterol to a normal level by losing weight. I'm grateful to him for not giving me medicine because of all the side effects. I know I can do this! It's just a matter of taking a step forward to a heart healthier me!  In other words, grabbing the bull by it's horns!  

I started by taking a Heart Attack Risk Assessment that gave me a slap in the face! It's like "Look,  these are your numbers, and your risk on getting a heart attack!"  Then I enrolled in our local YMCA, and I'm working out in the mornings (I'm much more productive in the a.m.). I'm also on Weight Watchers On-Line it helps keep track of my food, and physical activities. I've also started using a weight loss supplement (yes, I know some people don't like to use these types of products, but desperate times, require desperate measures, right?).  Plus, there's an extra incentive they will pay you for losing weight. :) 

I wanted to keep my health issues private since this is so personal, but I feel that this is an issue that needs to be addressed. The statistics are alarming! "Heart disease kills more women than men, at an average rate of one death per minute." I don't want to be part of the statistics, I want to live long and healthy! 

February is American Heart Month, and it's also the perfect time to start getting healthy, and taking care of your heart!  It's never too late, and consult with your doctor before you start any weight loss regimen.  

This post is being linked at Kid Blogger's Go Red For Women supporting the American Heart Association.  Click on the button below, and check them out for other wonderful post on being heart healthy! 
Go Red for Women Blog Hop

This post contains affiliate links, however I am not being paid.  I am simply using them for my own personal weight loss.