Weighty Words
I realized as I sit watching Desserts Unwrapped on the Food Network that I forgot to publish Weighty Words this week. How telling is that.
If I see a physician for the first time, something that always surprises them is that I don’t have high blood pressure. Hypertension (high blood pressure) runs in my family, along with a bunch of other conditions. The last year has been a wake up call of sorts for me. My Mom started having a lot of health problems at the age of 43. I will be 43 this year and I’m following the same path she did.
One of the reasons I know I have to get the weight off is so that I don’t start developing the conditions my Mom has. Hypertension is probably the condition that will develop first if I don’t control the weight. My typical blood pressure is 120/80 or a little better, unless I’m nervous or stressed. Or unless they’re trying to take my bp with the skinny person cuff.
I recently wondered if it would be a good idea to invest in a blood pressure cuff of my own. I thought they’d be expensive but after seeing one on sale on Buy.com I realized such a purchase was quite affordable. The one I saw is on sale for $19.99 and qualifies for free shipping. It’s automatic, so I wouldn’t need someone else to take it for me, I could just put it on my arm and let it do it’s thing. The display is big enough I’d be able to read it myself and the unit can even hold a number of previous measurements in memory. The only thing I’m not sure of is my arm’s measurement in cm, so I have to check that out.
I’m hoping that as weight comes off I’ll be less likely to develop some of the health conditions my Mom has. I love my Mom and she’s an awesome lady but this is one instance where I do not want to be like her. I want to turn myself around and live a lot longer. I only hope it isn’t too late.
Category: Bariatric surgery & Health, Family, Food, Health
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Dear Val,
I went through a page of listings before I found this one. Some were even code but I did not give up. The search was worth what I found.
Scientists have long debated nature vs nurture. Genetically you are certainly the product of your ancestors’ genes–not just your father’s either. A lot of medical problems that faced your parents, their parents, and on and on can be avoided entirely with good medical care. The great aunt who died at 59 from lung cancer might never have been a fatality had she not smoked Camels at least half of her life. The grandmother who was an amputee might have never lost her leg had she not hidden a bruise from everyone. Your mother might have been less likely to have health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea had she noty gained all her weight.
Do everything you can to be fit. You are a model for others, especially your children. There is an old wives tale that suggests that a man about to marry should look at his bride’s mother to see what she will look like in 20 years more or less.
You found your nitch. Now good luck and keep using your talents well. Great reads you know.
pat.s last blog post..With a Little Bit of Luck