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?
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