| |
 I
am 62 years old and work as a speech/language pathologist. As a
'41 ‘model', I was raised in a family where consuming
meat, potatoes, veggies and lots of dairy was considered the norm.
Although I was a relatively active child, I was ‘chubby'
and was the target of teasing, hated "phys. ed.", and
was chosen last for a team, if at all. As an adolescent, I decided
to diet and since high protein diets (complete with high protein
bread, no less!) were the fad of the day, I diligently began one.
Much to my parent's concern, I lost 50 pounds, but before I
was a senior in High School, I had gained nearly all of the lost
weight back.
After having my first child at age 25, I was encouraged to drink
as much dairy as I could possibly consume, because that practice
was believed to "help produce the best breast milk"! While
in the hospital I suffered from extreme edema, which had only been
recognized by my roommate, who happened to have been an RN. Three
more children later at age thirty four, my weight continued to see-saw
in spite of my relatively high activity level; I had taken up jogging
for fun, ran in several competitive races and raced my first marathon
in l983 at nearly 43 years of age. Still, not only did my weight
continue to fluctuate, but I was told that I had hypertension; my
BP reading was 190/110. My MD, who was a sports medicine specialist,
refrained from prescribing serious blood pressure medications, but
did prescribe diuretics, which I had been off and on for years for
fluctuating BP and edema in my ankles. To make matters worse, I
had been told that I had mitral valve prolapse and mild scoliosis
and that I should refrain from jogging least my spine compression
might injure my nerves! I disobeyed and ran even harder, which enabled
me to feel and look so much better!!
 In
l994, I was brutally attacked by a pit bull while on an early morning
run! The wound in my calf was almost as deep as the bone and was
wide. Following hospitalization with a Cipro antibiotic drip, I
became somewhat of an invalid for many months and couldn't
commence physical therapy until the wound closed naturally. When
it finally did, I was told that I'd have permanent nerve damage
and that I would never be able to run and/or balance properly again!
I was devastated! I had gained much weight and felt like a frustrated
sloth! I was my biggest – 70 pounds overweight. My BP was elevated
again and my cholesterol was up. All of this, plus the hormonal
flux of menopause, left me feeling like a 90 yr. old.
THEN several things happened which would change my life forever!!
My daughters encouraged me to go to the North American Vegetarian
Society Summerfest in Johnstown, PA. (My two daughters, as well
as one of my sons, had long been vegans and in my less informed
days, I worried about their health!) Reluctantly, I went, and to
my surprise, I was elated at such inspirational lectures as those
given by Dr. John McDougall, MD and Ruth Heidrich, PhD – she
would become my ‘big sister' mentor! I purchased and read
Ruth's wonderful book, Race for Life, and viewed her video
of the same title and was ever so inspired!!! I was able to identify
with many of her negative accounts with MD's, nurses, etc.,
as well as, with her rebellious and determined spirit! I was extremely
impressed with Dr. McDougall's reference to the fact that she
COULD beat cancer following her mastectomy and w/o chemotherapy
or radiation IF she  began
a VEGAN DIET! I knew the diet was the essential ingredient, because
Ruth had been a daily runner for 14 years before she developed breast
cancer, so intensive exercise alone had not saved her. (See the
January 2003 newsletter article, "Building Your Own High-Performance
Athletic Body" and the "Star McDougaller, Ruth Heidrich"
at www.drmcdougall.com.) I thought, "If this extraordinary
woman, with a life-threatening disease (invasive breast cancer)
could modify her life so positively, then why couldn't I?"
I completed the Boston Marathon and received the "finisher's
medal" in April 2001! I vowed that I'd run at least one
full marathon every year for the rest of my life, and I have done
just that. In less than one year after becoming a vegan (a diet
with no animal products), my cholesterol fell from 202 mg/dl in
1997 to below 140 and my weight dropped significantly – 70
pounds. I am at trim weight and my BP finally normalized, as well.
I have never taken medication nor have I taken vitamins. I am passionate
about life!
P.S. Virtually EVERYONE in my family suffers from SAD = The Standard
American Diet!! Good thing I know family history can be changed
with a good education.
Mother—arteriosclerosis, left bundle branch block, various
heart problems
Father---died of myocardial heart attack
Sister—is approximately 100 lb. over wt. and has diabetes
Uncle (mother's brother) – had cardiac bypass surgery
twice!
Grandparents (all deceased): one had the gout and diabetes, all
were grossly obese, two had severe hypertension, one died of heart
attack etc.!!
"What is your life worth?" That is the question my flight
instructor used to ask me when I debated about buying a new piece
of safety equipment for my airplane. For example, one time after
surviving complete failure of my attitude indicator – the
instrument that keeps the airplane upright when flying without
visual aids – while flying in the clouds, I had to decide
whether or not to spend $2000 on a back-up attitude indicator
– just in case this potentially catastrophic loss happened
again. Was my life worth $2000? I didn't think twice about
that one!
What was Barb's life worth to her?
For "Marathon Barb," as she likes to be called, her
life after near-total failure was worth a complete change in her
diet and a daily exercise routine. She didn't think twice
about it once she realized she was facing serious "permanent"
disability. An enraged pit bull and pill-prescribing doctors –
threats of similar gravity – made her reevaluate the importance
of her health, the value of a quality life, and the inner strengths
she had to change all that.
So what is your life worth? Think about
it for a minute; there are a finite number of years left for you
on planet Earth. How do you want to spend them and how many of
more these precious years do you want? Are you satisfied with
spending the next 20 to 30 years: Fifty pounds overweight? Dependent
on medications that are costly and with serious side effects?
Feeling sick? Not able to physically do all the things you want
to do? Not able to run a marathon? To walk to the store? To tie
your shoelaces?
Try writing this question, "What is
my life worth?" on a piece of paper and sticking it to the
refrigerator door or next to your walking shoes. You have a choice
– and it is your choice alone – once you realize that
with some simple, almost cost-free, dietary and lifestyle changes
– like exercise and quitting alcohol, coffee, and smoking
– you can have the life you deserve.
|
|
|
|
