Predisposed

I recently learned that my father, with whom I haven't spoken in about 13 years, was diagnosed with Type II diabetes. Well, he was the dominant gene in my creation. He's severely obese and carries his weight in the middle just like I do. I look just like him. Diabetes combined with cancer and heart disease isn't a good combination.

Yep, I said cancer and heart disease. My mom is a 2 time breast cancer survivor (that's part of my obsession with the color pink), my grandfather survived lung cancer and throat cancer, has a pacemaker, and several strokes, and my grandmother has COPD and a few strokes. And that's just three family members on my mom's side. My grandmother on my dad's side has been battling her own heart condition and has had a few strokes.

So, guess what that means for me? That's right; I'm predisposed to all of these illnesses. And, I'm only increasing my risk by not taking care of myself. It's not that my family dealt with these illnesses because they didn't take care of themselves, but not taking care of myself only increases my chances of dealing with one of these illnesses myself. That's the last thing I want to fight.

I would fight with everything I have to beat any illness but why invite those things into my life? I want to be healthy and with my family for as long as humanly possible. What's the best way for me, or anyone else, to decrease their risk of diabetes and heart disease? If you said daily exercise and a balanced diet, you would be correct!

That's exactly what is going to get me to my happy place. Have a great day and keep moving!