My Grandfather died a few years ago of heart disease. However, my grandfather was almost FAMOUS for having heart disease. In my small town, a medivac helicopter only visited town twice during my childhood--both times to take my grandfather to a larger hospital in Indianapolis where his cardiologst worked. One summer when I was probably 10 years old or so, I was with my grandfather when he was having a heart attack. I stood next to his bed, and watched his grimacing face call out to my grandmother, the paramedics and almighty God as he felt his life slipping away from him. He survived that day and actually lived for many more years. But, to this day, all my memories of him include heart problems, hospital visits and the pity that others had for him. In his younger years, he was a strong, noble business man. In his later years, he was the man in town with terrible heart problems.
In 2003, a few years after my sick grandfather died, my other grandfather underwent open heart surgery. This was close on the heels of my Dad's younger brother, Uncle Pete, having bypass surgery. It sort of smacked me square in the face that I was destined to die of a heart attack. This frightened me, but in a grim way, I was resigned to take my turn on the operating table when the time came. It's sort of a gruesome family tradition.
Also in 2003, my mother started a diet or, as she called it, a 'way of eating', called Sugar Busters . She quickly dropped 20 or 30 pounds and didn't seem to be suffering too much, My upbringing was almost a carbon copy of hers and she and I, both very good cooks and consummate hosts and shared the same feelings about food. But, this diet seemed to be working for her. I cautiously observed her success for almost a year. I am not proud to admit that I teased her a little and told her that couldn't imagine sticking to such a strict diet. All the while, I was quietly proud of her and a little jealous.
On Easter Sunday, 2004, we all enjoyed a delicious meal at Mom's. At this point she had lost over 50 pounds and people were treating her differently. She was feeling better, looking better and truly living better. That night, I asked to borrow her book on the Sugar Busters diet. I took it home and read it. Although I was a little skeptical, I decided to try the diet--constantly referred to as a 'way of eating,' rather than a diet.
She had motivated me to take the first step on a journey that would (not to sound too cliche) truly change my life for the better.
If you're looking for ways to stay motivated while losing weight, check out the rules to live by section.
