10 months post-op, I have completed two 5k (3.1 miles) walks. The Spinx Run Fest was my first one. 4 years ago, I ran the full marathon 26.2 miles, with my dad. I struggled the whole time, finished in 6 1/2 hours, then went home, showered, and went to church at 3:30 pm. (supper was a thick Pizza Hut pepperoni pizza). Fast forward 4 years, adding a 2nd child and massive reconstructive open heart surgery, I walked the Spinx 5k in 1:01:30. (supper was NOT Pizza Hut). Huge accomplishment!

This past Saturday, I walked the Lungs 4 Life 5k, starting at the downtown YMCA & walking through Cleveland Park. Both mornings were beautiful & both times my mom walked with me, even though she could run it & have a faster race. 2nd huge accomplishment!

I really appreciate this successes more than I have in the past, they are very special to me. My family & friends are very supportive & compassionate. I hope I can inspire others to take what you’ve got & do the best with it. “I can’t” or “I can try” is not good enough.

The majority of Americans agree that knowing their family health history is important to their own health. But only 30% actually know their family health history, according to the surgeon general & Dept of health & human services.

So.. Do you know your family health history AND does it change your life? If you see your grandparents or parents suffer from a disease, are you changing your health habits?

The Dept of HHS says that heredity can influence your disease risk up to 50%. So if Grandma and Dad have diabetes, you have a good chance of developing it as well. If dad has a heart attack….um, maybe you need to stop smoking and exercise. Just maybe??

Why wait until something serious happens & you are already weak, hooked up to an IV, and the doctor is putting you on 8 different medicines? It is a whole lot easier to make truly healthy habits while you are younger, stronger, and healthier.

Use some common sense. Take care of yourself. It’s not hard to figure out… Information is everywhere. If you value your family, quit being a slob & selfish. Get off of the couch watching football all the time — go PLAY football. Take the pepperoni off of the pizza — eat thin crust with vegetables. Salt shaker — bye bye! SALAD. No more tanning, no more smoking. WATER.