For those inspired by their children...

(reposting here since I'm a space cadet and posted under Food/Nutrition)

THANK YOU!

Since before I was born, my father has never taken care of himself. He has eaten poorly, never exercised, and been generally apathetic about his health. His family has a long history of heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, etc., yet he ignored every warning and piece of advice any doctor ever gave him.

Growing up, he'd stay in the car or in the hotel room while my mom, my sister and I would walk around on our vacations. He'd only make an appearance for a meal, then he'd disappear again. He'd complain every time we didn't want to go to some fat-laden restaurant, and would refuse any meal my mother made when she attempted to help him eat better.

By the time I hit high school, his health had deteriorated markedly. By college, he had two surgeries to clean out arteries clogged >90%, triple bypass, and had a stroke during my junior year at the age of 60. He spends at least a quarter of the year in the hospital, and had a fistula put in last winter to prepare him to start dialysis this spring. Still, he refuses to change his eating habits or even do physical therapy (despite the urging of every medical professional he encounters). He says that we don't understand how hard it is to change, and that changing his eating would suck all the happiness and enjoyment out of his life. He no longer works, and my mother now works 7 days a week trying to pay for his mounting medical bills. Even his social worker does not understand why he doesn't "get it".

The message he has sent me and my family throughout our lives is that food (namely candy, fast food, chips, and other junk) is more important than us. He would rather eat a McDonald's hamburger than be there for his family. He would rather enjoy his milkshake than ensure that he'll be able to walk me down the aisle for my wedding in July. It's painful to know that a parent does not see that they are choosing food over family. I know it's hard to change - I'm doing it myself right now. Many of my father's habits rubbed off on me, but then I realized that I did not want to live so selfishly and unhealthily.

So thank you, those of you that are doing this not only for yourself but for your children and your family. They may never say thank you (especially the ones that are only babies during this journey you're taking), but you are giving them the invaluable gift of your energy and health. By taking care of yourself, you're showing them how much you deeply love them.