#GoRedGetFit: Why it's My New CatchPhrase

I’ve been overweight most (maybe all) of my adult life.  However I made it to the big 5-0 with no health issues which seems to be a biggie in this day and age, so I gave myself a pat on the back: overweight but fairly healthy sounded good to me.   But I also recognized that each annual doctor’s visit met with an “almost” condition: diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.  I seemed to be just skirting unhealthy.

Several years ago a close relative developed a serious heart condition.  She had several heart attacks in her 50s before being diagnosed with a rare, but probably genetic, condition.  I listed and took note of her data, but still rationalized that if she had it, then my chances were lower (backwards logic, I know) because she was the 1 in 5 that our family would produce.

Shortly upon beginning this school year, a member of a board I serve on called to inform me that another member had passed away of a heart attack.  At first I heard the name wrong and was trying to figure out who it was.  Once we hung up it hit me – it was the other mom like me: overweight, but seemingly “healthy.” Our kids attend(ed) high school together.  Hugging her 17 year old daughter at her service was one of the most emotionally difficult things I’ve ever done.  What if my 19 year old daughter was in her position?  What about my 11 year old daughter, and my two teenage sons?  Her husband seemed to be functioning and “getting through” but I hopefully suspect that in these situations someone gives the deeply grieved person a drug to help them get through the public portion of mourning.  Would my husband hold up as well?

With a heavy heart I turned inward to face some realities. I haven’t skied in the past 2 years because 3 years ago I felt so winded on a long run.  My wrist monitor (Gear Fit 2) keeps telling me my heart rate is “higher than above average resting range.”  I’m sleepy in the afternoons and sometimes even take an hour nap.  None of this is acceptable to me at 50. 

I researched my heart rate being so high and found that I need to elevate my heart rate daily for 15 minutes or more to get my resting rate lower.  The heart is a muscle and needs to be exercised to strengthen.  Not new facts to me, but new in that I am now applying these facts to myself.

My baby steps to a healthy heart:

• ·         Elevate my heart rate at least 5x/week.  I’ve chosen running which is a walk with some running for me, but I will progress to a higher run to walk ratio with practice.
• ·         Greatly reduce sugar.
• ·         Approach daily calories of 1850 to lose weight
• ·         12,000 steps daily are a minimum (including my run)
• ·         Spread that word about heart disease among women

What do you think ladies?  Have you looked at yourselves and the strength of your heart lately?  I’m planning on running (mostly walking) in the Ugly Sweater Run in Hartford on December 3.  Who’s going to join me? Join me at The Ugly Sweater Run Hartford: December 3, 2016  https://endurancecui.active.com/event-reg/select-race?e=37905451

Why My 11 Year Old has an Iphone

So here goes: a load of Justification and Excuses

My 11 year old has siblings who are 19, 18 and 16 so this is not my first time deliberating the pros and cons of allowing a child a cell phone.  Incredibly, technology has advanced rapidly since I first gave my oldest her pay-as-you-go non-smart phone.

My parenting philosophy leans toward the “Free Range” style with a large dose of technologically strict thrown in the mix.

This year I’ve decided to do some substitute teaching.  My 11 year old gets out of school at 2:15, earlier than any school in the district in which I sub.  Conveniently, the town library is just two buildings away from her school, so the plan is for her to be dismissed with the walkers and get herself to the library.  Once there, mom would appreciate a text that she has arrived in the library.  We’ve already done a trial run on a day I didn’t work and everything went smoothly.  She’s looking forward to doing it again.

I am a decidedly Samsung Galaxy gal, but my family is mixed thus we had an unused iPhone 5c in the home.  For the cost of a SIM card and an additional $10/mo. her line is up and running (T-Mobile).

One of the things I did once I group messaged my immediate family with her phone number was to inquire among her older siblings what rules they think I should enforce.  The two oldest just recently escaped our fortress as they are enjoying their 2^nd and 3^rd years at college. Who better to ask? So here are the rules compiled between them and me:

• ·         The phone does not go to school unless it’s a day Mom is working
• ·         The phone stays on the 1^st floor in our home (bedrooms are upstairs)
• ·         The phone has time limits which prevent contact with anyone but immediate family after 9pm .
• ·         Data is turned OFF (I call and have this done at the T-Mobile level, I don’t care that I’m paying for data, she doesn’t need it).  When home she can use our wi-fi , which has parental controls. 
• ·         Social networking sites are forbidden (including, but not limited to: Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter).

Thankfully, she’s an active girl and as long as I remember not to set a bad example, she’ll continue to show no indication of being glued to her phone. 

Hopefully, some of my points can help you in your decision to allow a middle school age child a cell phone.  The tipping point for me has always been when they are old enough to be unsupervised and practice some independence. 

...And since this is my Norwex blog: yes, she's already hooked on the Optic Scarf for keeping the screen spotless without using chemicals (that leave a slight film residue and then ATTRACT fingerprints and dust)!