A Better Me

FACT: Did you know that the average projected lifespan these days is 78 years old? And I'm sure we've all heard that for the first time ever, the current generation is not expected to live as long as their parents due to obesity and disease. Things that make you go "hmmmmm".

My Mommie fell last December. This is my Grandmother who raised me. She slipped on some ice on the front porch in December and broke her knee cap in half, requiring surgery to have it repaired. Long story short, she subsequently got MRSA (an antibiotic-resistant staph infection) which required 6 weeks of daily IV dose vancomycin. The "vanc" caused an intestinal infection due to it killing off all of the good bacteria in her gut (dr's dont often think of details like protecting you intestinal flora while taking antibiotics, but this really is a NECESSARY thing to do! Probiotics are your best friend!). Well, it turns out that when you do not properly digest food, it is difficult to regulate blood thinner levels. So her platelets went so low (twice) that she required bags of platelets and the thinner levels were toxic. Eventually, the dr's decided to take her off of the blood thinners she was on for her A-fib (a chamber of her heart doesnt pump hard enough, allowing some blood to remain or "pool" up in the area and potentially cause clots). Then, she had a stroke. She recovered (thank Jesus) from her "moderate" stroke only to have her beta blockers (the meds that help stabalize her heart rhythm... it tends to beat too fast to make up for the ineffective atrium) hit a toxic level and land her in the hospital for a 10th time since December (it was only June!). Finally, in September, Mommie began to suffer from congestive heart failure and yet a new era of treatment has begun.

Is anyone else exhausted reading that? Can you imagine the effect that it has had on my 81 year old Mommie? Praise God, she is doing SO very well right now... but she has been at deaths door more than once this year...

Watching Mommie suffer through all her body has had to endure this year has made me really think about that earlier statistic I told you about. The average life expectancy is 78 years old. Mommie has already beat that by 3 years (but is anyone else thinking 78 sounds awfully YOUNG?! I'm pulling for 90!). But as you read, this last year has been hard, to say the least.

If given the chance to live to be 81, I'd really really like to be the healthiest 81 year old I can be. Everyone feels that way, obviously... but the question is, do our daily actions and choices reflect our desire to be healthy that far into our future. We all know that our choices tend to catch up with us. I like to think of myself as "healthy"; I have never smoked, have never drank alcohol, rarely drink sodas, etc... My cholesterol is low, bp is low, weight is ok (not great, but ok)... still, i KNOW that regardless of what the scale and bloodwork say, I really am not healthy. I have the facade of health only because age is on my side... for now.

But when I think about what I will be like at 81... well, that scares me. I am already pretty stiff (can barely touch my toes!) and I am a believer that the more flexible we can stay, the better we fare in terms of injuries. Cardiovascular-wise, I'm pitiful. I do not work out. I take my "facade" for granted and convince even myself that if I were in too bad of shape, I'd be heavy or have high cholesterol or something. But for those of us who are still "young", that is simply NOT TRUE!

The truth is exactly what I tell my slacker teenage patients ALL DAY LONG... while we are young, our bodies pick up our slack for us. Our liver and bladder and lymph system work overtime to clear toxins. Our heart beats very efficiently because it is still young and not yet tired. Our immune system takes care of bacteria in our mouths that we do not clear out via brushing and flossing, giving us the appearance of good oral health. And we take it all for granted. And continue to live our slack lifestyle.

And then one day, our bodies start getting tired of doing all the hard work. The immune system has to start working on clearing other bacteria/viruses that our livers and lymph systems are not able to clear as efficiently anymore. Priorities change for our organs, and our bodies start to "show their age" so to speak.

I am also a big believer in genetics. I have a patient who is a tri-athalon-er. He runs on average 40 miles a week. He swims. He bikes. He is a VEGETARIAN! He avoids alcohol and doesnt smoke. His cholesterol is low, bp is good and is a picture of health. However, at age 41, he suffered a MASSIVE heart attack and required a 5 bypass surgery. What the heck, right?!

People respond to this story one of two ways.
1. "See, it doesnt matter what you do... if its genetic, its gonna get you. You may as well live life and enjoy it and not worry".
OR, my response which is...
2. "See, even genetics can be overcome to some extent. Had this man not been conditioned and well trained and as HIS best health, that heart attack, NO DOUBT, would have ended his life. And instead, he continues to live because he was in teh best shape he could be and was able to live through what his genetics handed to him!"

I want desperately to be the latter of the two. I do not want to be a victim of genetics or circumstance. I want to take control and do the best I can to be a good steward of my health... so that no matter what happens to my body, I can live without (too much) regret, wondering if I could have changed the outcome.

So began my desire to be healthier...

I had a patient who came in, had lost 30lbs and was feeling great. She revealed that she was eating healthier and using Advocare's 24 day challenge to jumpstart her new lifestyle. "Interesting", i thought. And didnt think another thing about it... Until my friend, Danielle (who is insanely healthy!) started writing about it on her blog. I contacted her about the products, found out that she was a distributor and after talking to Jeff, we decided to BOTH do the challenge to kick start some better days ahead ;-)

The rest is kind of history. I lost 6lbs, am back in my pre-pregnancy clothing! and have more energy than I remember having in YEARS.

Jeff lost 11lbs and is feeling great! He actually recently decided to train for a FULL marathon! He has done lots of 1/2ers, but never a full! But he is feeling confident(ish?!) that he can get this off his bucket list and not die trying :-)

Since the challenge, I have continued with the meal replacement shakes for breakfast. Its such a SIMPLE, healthy, no brainer to start my day with a perfect 1:1 carb/protein ratio! and SPARK (i seriously love that!) to help me get through my afternoon "lull" w/o downing sugar that wears off quickly . Coreplex as my daily multivitamin in conjunction with omegaplex for the healthy omega fatty acids (hey, its Dr. Oz approved... as in ADVOCARE is Dr Oz approved!) and catalyst to help me with my muscle tone. I just ordered some O2 Gold which helps with Oxygen absorption during exercise and I'm hoping that it will help with being able to run and not get a side stitch :-) Boy, that would be AWESOME! haha. I have maintained my weight loss and am really enjoying feeling like my old self again, but BETTER! Healthier.

TMI, but i have "ibs" (irritable bowel syndrome). My Dr recommended back in the spring that I do an "elimination diet" where I eat boiled rice only for so many days, then add boiled eggs for so many days, etc... so as to identify what is aggravating my stomach. One reason I decided to do the challenge was because of the cleanse... I was hoping that it would help to "restart" my system. My IBS had gotten so bad that at times, i would have an allergic reaction of sorts to foods. Upset stomach was the least of my troubles... my eyes and throat would swell and itch, lungs got tight, broke out in hives... I for real thought I'd die some nights! Ok, maybe that sounds dramatic, but it was SCARY!

But since doing the challenge back in the summer, I literally have not had one episode. Yes, I'm eating healthier. But i really do attribute the improvement to the cleanse... because even before the challenge, I could be on a healthy eating kick and STILL get an upset stomach! SOOOO frustrating! So I'm thrilled to have gotten rid of that part of life :-)

Overall, I've loved the products. I've even started (prepare for it..... hold onto your chairs) started running! GASP! Something I've NEVER done before! Granted, its only a mile or so at a time, but its a step towards better health, and thats what this is all about. Making small, daily choices. Trusting and knowing that these good choices today WILL benefit me in the future. And more importantly, knowing that if i dont make these choices, I will regret it later.

Later is longer, folks. Now, thats some wisdom for you :-)
Its true, though. The discomfort of starting some better habits in food choices and exercise are short lived. The impact of choosing to NOT change will last.

So, heres to a better me... and I hope that some others may decide to come along. I'd love to have some friends in the retirement home when I'm rockin 90 years old ;-)

If you're interested in the challenge or have any questions, feel free to email me at forddygirl@yahoo.com. You can also click the links above (text in a different color) to see video's about the challenge and testimonials on Danielle's blog or click HERE to check out any of the products on the advocare site.

The ING Experience

To say that I'm not a runner would be an understatement. To say I HATE to run would be more accurate. It is a function that my body uses in sports (as in softball, etc...) and when being chased. Otherwise, i do not run.

Jeff, however, is quite an established runner. He seems to enjoy himself. Every weekend, he goes running either with a couple of friends or even by himself. He's so disciplined (gag). It relieves stress for him and makes him feel good about himself. Now, i'll admit that when i do work out, i do feel better about myself. But that is the ONLY redemption i get from feeling like i'm killing myself.

So why did i participate in the ING? To bond with Jeff. (i know, double gag). It was my sacrificial way of doing something that he enjoys. Admittedly so, i'll say that maybe jumping into a half marathon with no training is perhaps not the best way to bond with your runner of a husband, as he found it very annoying to wait on me for almost an hour and a half after he had finished. But hey, its something we did together. On to the day of the dreaded ING.

4:30am- alarm goes off. i'm feeling a little worried. we get ready. jeff looks like a pro runner with all of his appropriate gear while i put on my (very) old new balance shoes, a pair of jogging capris and a tee-shirt with an old sweatshirt over it. we grab some breakfast which grosses me out because who wants to eat that early? i have a peice of peanut butter toast and stick to my regular of chocolate milk. i figure why mess with something if it works every other morning of the year...
5am-leave to go pick up Shlaine (my aunt) who i drug into this mess
5:20am-get to susan's house. she's volunteered to drive to the marta station in her expedition for us. thanks susan!
6am-get to the marta station. hit the bathrooms before getting on the train. not sure when we'll get another chance to pee.
6:15-make it up to the platform and find Jason and Liz (along with other friends) who are ready to run :-) take a few quick pics. get on the train
6:20-start putting our bibs on. jeff realizes he left his cell phone in the bathroom. geez. off to a great start.
6:45-get off the train and start walking to the race. its a 2 block walk. i'm already tired. and i need to pee. again. blast that choclate milk. meet up with Ken and julie, matt and daphne and find our place in line. i still need to pee and theres no portapotties around. find a bush. be grateful its dark. rejoin the group.
7am-and they're off. and we all wait to find a place to jump in.
7:10am-the last time i saw jeff before the finish line. i watch as his cute butt runs ahead of me and fades into the distance. my group (shlaine, myself and susan) are jogging. people around us are complaining of us being in the way and going so slow. we are all feeling proud that we're jogging.
time eludes me now. i will write in terms of mileage. at some point we hit mile 2 and i could have sworn it should have been at least mile 3. its a water station. i think its cool that people are rooting for us and handing out drinks so i take a gatorade and a water. i'll live to regret this.
mile 3- we're feeling good. enjoing the company.
mile 4-meet a nice girl named jenna from new york who now lives here. her sisters came in from NY to do the race w/ her but ran off and left her. we invite her to join our group.
mile 5- shlaine's hip starts hurting. she's not a big complainer but she starts lagging behind. i stay with her.
mile 6-we've hit an alltime slow pace. i fear the "sag waggon" (that picks you up if you're too slow) will catch us and force us to comply by getting on the bus. we stop for a quick water/gatorade break and sit for a moment to let shlaines hip rest. she feels better. then we start moving. nope, still hurting.
mile 7-we find shlaine a medic to come get her. i leave her my cell so she can find jeff when they get her to the finish line. he's already done by now. i start my run to find susan and jenn who we lost a while back. there are portapotties. i feel the need to stop, but am compelled to run on. people are cheering like i'm doing something great (i'm surrounded by walkers so i guess my slow jog looked impressive). i continue on.
mile 8.5-catch up with jenna and susan. tell them what happened with shlaine. tell them i need a potty asap. they assure me one will be available at the next mile marker. we notice that the marathon route and half marathon route are parallel at this point as we share a road with people who are running and are on mile 15 or so. we are embarassed but continue on.
mile 9-no portapotties in sight. panic sets in. the entire next mile i will pray that my bladder does not fail me.
mile 10-water break and PORTAPOTTIES! heaven in the form of a stinky pee pot. thank god. no time to stretch... must pee.
post bathroom break-i step out of the potty and think i'll not be running anymore. i can barely walk. i'm feeling stiff. i've been told if you can do 10 miles your adrenaline will take you to 13. i'm wondering where the adrenaline is...
mile 11-stll wondering where the adrenaline is. meet a nice man who is there with his wife who is an established runner. he thinks its great that we're starting "young"... he's in his 70's? out of need to at least beat the 70 year old, we politely try to speed up.
mile 12-OMG! one more mile. there are a few people still cheering on the participants. i'm grateful for their willingness to stick around to see us through. its encouraging.
the last bend-i'm told we should run b/c it looks cooler to cross the finish line while running. so we do. i feel something in my right leg pop. i'm in pain. i smile and push on.
we cross something that looks like the finish. i ask if i can stop running now. no. thats not the finish. OMG... where is the blasted finish?!
FINALLY- we cross the finish. 3hours 33 minutes. embarassing. but done.
susan and i say goodbye to sweet jenna. we collect our medals. we get bottles of water. our sausage fingers are so swollen and cold that susan cannot open her water, despite her great thirst. i open hers first. my hand hurts so badly from hers that i barely get mine open. we collect our silver things that are supposed to keep us warm. we look like baked potatos. but then, so does everyone else. so we fit in.
we are in a crowd and see food ahead. we are getting very stiff but find food to be reason enough to press on. collect banana's, snack bars, apples, etc...
look for jeff, brett and shlaine. finally find them. try to figure out how to get home (back to marta). shlaine can barely walk. i'm not much better. that last "pop" at the end did me in. we start up hill, jeff has to carry shlaine. i'm jealous that she doesnt have to walk for a bit.
finally get to marta. very quiet on the way back to our station. we're all dying.
get back to our station, look for jeff's phone. a bus driver has it. i can come back tomorrow and get it. lovely. at least its been found.
groan as we walk to the car. stop at zaxby's for food. ahhh...food.
get home and lift my legs out of the car. need help getting inside. need help getting in the bed. if i'm gonna die, i'd like it to be in my bed. think about rhyan. fall asleep.
jeff comes in and asks (whilst on my deathbed) if i'd like to do the peachtree. NO. he signs us up anyways.
finally wake up and go get rhyan. wonder how i'll take care of her tomorrow when jeff is not there to help. i can barely move. thinking i'll have to o.d. on advil to function.

Grateful that its all over. Feeling it necessary to participate again just so i can finish with dignity... like, maybe under 3 hours? We'll see...

New Years Resolutions

I typically do not make resolutions... the word resolution implies that i have the resolve to see it through. Lets face it... I might not. So instead, i set goals. Is there much difference? No. But it makes me less stressed to say its just a goal :-)
So, here they are.
1. Lay off the trash t.v. (ie: keeping up with the kardashians)
2. While watching The Young and the Restless (NOT trash tv), be on the elliptical.
3. Make it a point to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day.
4. Start piano lessons at some point this year.
5. Deal with stress in more productive ways... like, NOT being rude to jeff :-)
6. Read.
7. Finish what I start.
Additions:
8. Meet my blog friend Rachael :-)
9. Meet my blog friend Emily
10. Run the Warrior Dash in May (and complete it)
I love to read but have a tendency to start books and not finish them. Which in turn stresses me out b/c i feel "unfinished". This makes me be rude to Jeff b/c somehow he is to blame, right?! :-)
In general, i'd like to attend to my lack of discipline which i feel defines me. I'm gonna be 30 this year (*gasp*) and I dont want to be known as someone who lacks discipline with my tongue, with my body, with my walk with the Lord, etc... I want to be disciplined with my time so that I can enjoy the opportunities i have to goof off and spend with my family. So by working on time management, i'll be less stressed, more enjoyable and will be a more of a blessing to my family, and those around me. This is my goal in general.

What goals do you have for 2010?
PS. I promise i'll post Christmas pics one day soon...