20 pound challenge week of October 24

I was out of town and missed posting but I’m still in this with as much resolve as I had in the beginning.

While I was with family last week I started to really notice how important it is to take lessons from the state of health of the people who I love and who share my DNA!

My mom is 82. She’s in pretty good health for her age. But when we talked about it she disclosed that with dangerously high blood pressure and cholesterol she believes that her meds keep her from having a heart attack or a stroke. She may be right. Even with blood pressure and cholesterol meds her numbers are higher than they should be.

My sister is 56. She had a heart attack 6 months ago and has had declining health ever since. She has acid reflux, gallstones, one infection after another requiring heavy antibiotics, and she has suffered from depression for years.

My brother is 54. He’s the picture of health. He’s an avid outdoorsman; hiking, kayaking, backpacking into remote areas, played sports in school, cooks healthy foods on a daily basis. And, he has his screenings every year and the numbers are consistently terrific. His doctor jokes with him that he will probably live forever. He we are together at the Mission San Juan Capistrano last week.

My dad died at 59 of cancer of the esophagus and stomach. His father died of colon cancer at 44. His sister died of breast cancer at 42. Cancer has taken nearly everyone in his family - both his mother’s and father’s side.

I’m going to be 50 on my next birthday. So, paying attention to the health of my family of origin hits me closer to home than it ever has before.

I kept up with my exercise while on my trip and ate well for the most part. I’ve been home for 3 full days and haven’t missed a beat. I jogged on the treadmill thursday and this morning and took a long walk with my husband yesterday morning in the moonlight.

Have you looked at the health of your family as a guide? What are some of the things you need to be aware of to either avoid? What are some of the healthy traits of your family that you can capitalize on?