A little extra motivation... in case you need it.

Katalyst77 · August 2012

I was talking to my mom the other day about our family health problems and how our lack of activity has contributed to them... and she told me something that blew me away. My dad has diabetes and was diagnosed with it a little over 20 years ago. At that time he did not have to take insulin and his doctor told him that if he would lose 40 lbs and get in 20 minutes of cardio every day that he would probably not have to take the pills anymore. Well he dropped a few pounds, but never did the 20 minutes of cardio at all. Now, it is 20+ years later and he has to test his blood several times a day and take insulin 3 times a day. He has almost completely lost his eyesight to glaucoma and most of his independance along with it. Two years ago he had to have triple bypass surgery on his heart and I watched my mom age from worry before my eyes. All of this could have been prevented by getting 20 minutes of cardio every day. 20 minutes a day. Now, my dad is not by any means lazy. He is a super hard worker and always has been, but working hard and working your heart are two different things. For whatever reason (we all tend to doubt our own mortality) he didn't take his doctor or his disease very seriously and now he regrets it. I am not judging him for it... he truly is a wonderful man...but I am learning from his mistakes. When you dont feel like getting that cardio in... just remember it might cost you 20 minutes now...or if not, maybe your eyesight later...