No wonder my mom died of a heart attack!

Amy_B
Amy_B Posts: 2,317 Member
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I'm going to Olive Garden for lunch today, and luckily I found a few lighter things I can eat...something my mom NEVER did. I calculated all the crap should would have eaten for ONE meal, and it ended up being 3500 calories and 220 grams of fat. She would have eaten that and sometimes would have even gone out for another meal at an equally unhealthy place as well that same day. No matter...that wouldn't have been her only meal that day.

The woman had no willpower, which was evidenced by her saying, "I'll quit smoking when [insert stressful life situation here] is over." Well, honey, life's full of stress. Move on! Her dad dying of lung cancer wasn't even enough to stop her. Five weeks after he died, she (who was up to 3 packs/day and weighed over 300 pounds) died of a massive heart attack. She was 47 years old and just three days shy of meeting her second grandchild (my sister's 1st baby).

Anyway, that's my motivation to lose weight. I was 245 when she died and am at 193 now. I'd be to my goal weight of 135 by now, but I've had 2 more kids since her death on 11/3/05.

Replies

  • Amy_B
    Amy_B Posts: 2,317 Member
    I'm going to Olive Garden for lunch today, and luckily I found a few lighter things I can eat...something my mom NEVER did. I calculated all the crap should would have eaten for ONE meal, and it ended up being 3500 calories and 220 grams of fat. She would have eaten that and sometimes would have even gone out for another meal at an equally unhealthy place as well that same day. No matter...that wouldn't have been her only meal that day.

    The woman had no willpower, which was evidenced by her saying, "I'll quit smoking when [insert stressful life situation here] is over." Well, honey, life's full of stress. Move on! Her dad dying of lung cancer wasn't even enough to stop her. Five weeks after he died, she (who was up to 3 packs/day and weighed over 300 pounds) died of a massive heart attack. She was 47 years old and just three days shy of meeting her second grandchild (my sister's 1st baby).

    Anyway, that's my motivation to lose weight. I was 245 when she died and am at 193 now. I'd be to my goal weight of 135 by now, but I've had 2 more kids since her death on 11/3/05.
  • Marla64
    Marla64 Posts: 23,120 Member
    Bless your heart-- that's wonderful motivation. Makes you wonder looking at our folks, sometimes--

    Congrats on your success--
  • ktthegr8
    ktthegr8 Posts: 479
    I'm sorry for your loss:flowerforyou: and good for you for seeing and breaking that pattern! Now you can show your kids how to take care of themselves and eat well. Good luck!:happy:
  • SuhailVal
    SuhailVal Posts: 13 Member
    Yes, good for you that you have realized you don't have to follow in her footsteps. You are your own person with your own will, and you're now making good choices. Stay strong, you will never regret this journey you're on now. I wish we would all realize how fragile life is. Take care! :flowerforyou:
  • smadag1
    smadag1 Posts: 1,368
    :flowerforyou:
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    Marla's 'Bless your heart' is right!! You poor dear, my heart goes out to you. It's wonderful that you used tragedy in your grandfather's and mother's lives to set your own health lifestyle straight.

    And I love what you said about stress. When I complain of medical issues to my doctor, he will ask if I am stressed. I always reply, "Well I'm alive and breathing so of course I'm stressed-- who isn't?!?" I know he asks for many other reasons, but my point is everyone is stressed and life is one series of stressors after another. Like you said, you can never plan to take action after a stressful event is over... you must take action now.

    Good luck with the continuation of your weight loss journey!! :flowerforyou:
  • Vanessa1969
    Vanessa1969 Posts: 144 Member
    That is very sad, I'm sorry. Sometimes people choose to live life the way they want to, but it often comes with deadly consequences. I wish your mum could have been around long enough to know her grandchildren.
    You are well on your way to success, and I am certain she would be proud of you.
  • sonjavon
    sonjavon Posts: 1,019 Member
    It's hard to watch those we care about do that to themselves... and even harder to realize that we're almost in the same boat. I have a husband who while not fat - eats like crap. He'll eat 2 big macs at a sitting, HATES brown anything - no wheat bread, no wheat pasta, no brown rice... gotta be white, doesn't eat vegetables, eats a bag of pretzels or chips like it's a single serving bag... it breaks my heart. I also have a brother who is 400+... I watch the amounts that he eats and it scares the crap out of me. I see him struggle to do normal everyday things and it breaks my heart.

    I'm sorry that your mom wasn't able to control her eating and smoking... I'm glad that you're setting a better example for your kids though! Keep up the good work sweetie!
  • kaylou
    kaylou Posts: 375 Member
    Look what a wonderful example you are teaching your children. I have a lot of obesity and health problems in my family also (including smoking) and its sad the restrictions it puts on their lives.
    It has also been such a motivation for me to live a healthy lifestyle!
  • Nich0le
    Nich0le Posts: 2,906 Member
    All it takes to break a families unhealthy lifestyle is for one person to break off and teach their children how to eat better, exercise and make time for them, even when life is stressful!

    sounds like you are the one, keep making yourself proud! :love:
  • singfree
    singfree Posts: 1,591 Member
    In 1981 my father died of a massive heart attack at age 53. He was diabetic, smoked, never exercised. I am going to be 55 years old in June, and I am in the best shape of my life. No, I did not do this in memory of my father. I did it for me, my wife and my wonderful little grandson. My dad was buried the day his first grandchild was born. I want to be here to see my great-grandchildren born.
  • nwfamilygal
    nwfamilygal Posts: 635
    Good for you :flowerforyou: Keep doing what you are doing and you will get their.:drinker: :drinker: Your children will be so much better for their healthy lifestyle and so will you. :bigsmile:
  • Amy_B
    Amy_B Posts: 2,317 Member
    Thanks, everyone!

    We're doing OG another day due to my sick son.
  • cheermom11
    cheermom11 Posts: 393 Member
    I really feel for you, Amy, but good for you for being on the right track!

    My mom is 58 years old, has had two heart attacks, smokes at least two packs of cigarettes a day and is considered 'obese.' She will also quit smoking when (insert life problem here) is over. I introduced her to MFP, but 'it's just too much work.'

    I'm fortunate that I haven't lost her, but like you, I decided to get myself healthy. It's just frustrating watching someone else be so self-destructive...
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