Wake Up Call

Four years ago a close family member died of a massive heart attack. He was only 53 years old. He was a loving and very giving person. But unfortunately, he made poor eating choices and it cut his life short. Believe me, that was my wake up call. That is what sent me on my quest for eating healthy and taking better care of myself.

Choosing what we eat is so very important for our health. We can’t compare ourselves to others and excuse our poor choices. I wish I had known what I know now when I was in my twenties and thirties. I think I would have chosen to eat healthier then. I’m thankful I know now. I’m actually enjoying making healthier choices. Our taste buds really can change. Now I actually crave healthy food.

Eating healthy doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy great tasting food. It just might be a little more work to figure out how to cook healthier. Believe me, it’s worth it. One of my favorite things to eat is chicken fajitas. Instead of eating them on flour tortillas, I use butter leaf lettuce. I think you actually taste the flavor of the chicken more using the lettuce versus using tortillas. I have low tolerance for gluten so the less gluten I eat, the better I feel.

I have had so many people say to me, “I can’t give up soda or sweets or bread or…”. For me, it was sweets and soda. I had to finally come to a place where I was sick of being sick and tired. When my family member died, “hello”, I realized I had better start making wiser choices for myself immediately.

You truly can do whatever you set your mind to, especially if you ask God to help you. I’m amazed at how He will give you the will power if you will do your part. I was a Dr. Pepperaholic. I thought I couldn’t give it up and truthfully I didn’t want to. But it was mind over matter. I chose to start drinking coffee every morning (I had never drank coffee before) because I knew my body would crave the caffeine. Unfortunately, I was drinking a little coffee with my flavored creamer. Happy to say that now I drink one large cup of black coffee every morning. Yes, I drink it black and I look forward to my coffee when I wake up. The rest of the day I drink water with freshly squeezed lemon.

For my sweet tooth, I have some healthy choices that taste amazing but aren’t harming my body. I put a blog up the other day about making a chocolate shake. My three little grand girls absolutely love the shakes too.

Start with a few small changes and grow from there. Your body will thank you. By the way, a couple of years ago my triglycerides were 198 and now they are 130.

Don’t wait for “A Wake Up Call” from your doctor or a family member. Choose now to take care of your body. It’s the only one you get.

What are you doing to make healthier choices?