proudmom47

This isn't a thread that is used very much. I wish more people would respond, but maybe they are using other boards like diet, exercise, etc. Anyway, my reason for changing my eating and exercise habits are personal. Both of my parents died at a relatively early age. My father had emphysema and heart problems due to smoking and alcoholism and my mother (who was actually pretty healthy although overweight) died of a bleed in the brain. That was shocking to us and the doctors never really told us what could have caused it. My aunt died of a lung disease due to smoking and job related inhalants. So you see, I long to hang on to a ripe old age! Something that really motivates me when I reach for that cookie and make excuses for not exercising is to remember my father whose health habits were atrocious. He was overweight, never ate vegetables or fruit, drank heavily and like I said smoked about 3 packs a day. He died at age 48! I am 47 and I am really motivated to break this family curse. His side of the family all had cancer and emphysema, but they all lived like he did. This is big time motivation for me. I am proud to say that I eat about 4 to 5 servings of fruit and veggies a day (but could be more). And my kids do pretty good also. I don't smoke or drink and take medicine unless I really have to. This is just a message to all of you out there who need a little motivaton. My goal is to be the first in my family to run a marathon. Even if it is a 5 K relay. Good luck...
Cindy