Need healthy heart advice...

trustymutsi

My dad just died last Sunday of a massive heart attack. His heart was blocked up. The coroner said he was healthy, and the heart attack resulted from a genetic problem.

First off, I miss my dad dearly. We just had the funeral. It was beautiful and I got lots of love and support and great stories about dad. It's a comfort he had a good life and didn't suffer. Still, I'm very sad, and miss him.

All this being said, I need to take better care of myself. I was doing well for a while, but fell off the wagon. I'm a bit overweight, but I mainly have been eating nutritionally poorly and slowly gaining more weight, while getting less sleep than I should, and getting no exercise.

My first plan is to start running. I'm going to do couch to 5k, which I've done before. Then I will move up to 30 Day Shred, along with running.

I have basic ideas of eating well. I know the less processed the better, lots of fruits and vegetables, don't try to eat too little too fast, etc... but what other advice to you guys have for me to maintain a healthy heart?

Thanks VERY much for any feedback.

BeachIron

I am very sorry for your loss.

My father had his stroke at 37, but survived, and I have other family members with similar issues. It's one of many reasons, in addition to my own asthma and the fact that I enjoy it, that I run.

I also lift weights to keep and build muscle mass and my wife does too. My primary suggestion is to eat a reasonably healthy diet but allow yourself those treats that you crave, in moderation, and also allow yourself days off when you really hit a wall. It is much better to take days off than to push yourself into a corner where you want to quit. It's easier to forgive yourself when it's just part of the plan.

Please take care of yourself.

trustymutsi

Thanks for the feedback!

I definitely am going to start running again. Also need to get lots of veggies, less saturated/trans fats, and less/no processed food.