Compelling reasons to make positive changes
It wasn't until someone in my family was diagnosed with Cancer that I started to think about my own lifestyle .
While I was accepting of the fact that we had now to fight against Cancer and we would need to be united and surround our dear family member with positive energy and support , I did for the first time realized that our lifestyle in general was making us prone to more cases like this.
I read as much as I could about Cancer and started to understand the role of exercise, diet and mental factor as tools to reduce the impact of the disease or even to avoid its development.
Having practiced sports for many years earlier in my life I thought I was armored against heart disease, diabetes, cancer, etc. I thought I could eat anything and still be healthy, I thought I could sit down in front of a computer or the TV and still be immune to chronic diseases. I thought my headaches were due to the stress of my job, and getting a cold every 4 to 6 weeks was something normal for me.
Until Cancer paid us a visit, and changed our lives forever. My dear family member survived after undergoing surgery and chemotherapy thanks to a very experienced Doctor that was in charge of the treatment, and is still with us, leading a normal life, as much as possible.
But our lives changed positively , I have now become a more responsible person with my diet, being more active physically, and devoting time to the mental aspect.
I have being able to share with my family the benefits of incorporating more vegetables and fruits in our diets, and avoid red meats, sugars, etc. as much as possible, without being extremists.
I have now become more active physically, adding daily walks to my daily routine, no need to spend hours at the gym, just a few minutes every day bring lots of benefits.
And I have shed 60+ lbs on the process. Needless to say I feel better than ever before thanks to turning a negative event into a positive learning experience.
I am aware we were reactive instead of proactive, but at the end, we have learned and made positive changes in our lives.
© Original content by NBaquero 2014
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Comments
SandraLynn wrote on June 28, 2014, 9:32 AM
OMGosh. Good for you. Sometimes it takes that eye-opening wake up call, scary and true. But you did it. Thank you for sharing! Seriously. :)
nbaquero wrote on June 28, 2014, 12:10 PM
Hi SandraLynn thanks so much for your comment. Yes, the important thing is to stop believing we are immune to everything (Superman complex!) and be able to make the required changes when needed.
LadyDuck wrote on June 29, 2014, 1:59 AM
My mother had stomach cancer when she was 70. He had surgery and big part of her stomach was removed, she completely recovered, she is now 92 and perfectly healthy.
nbaquero wrote on June 29, 2014, 6:26 AM
LadyDuck Thanks for sharing this, I am so glad to learn you mom recovered and is leading a healthy life. I know for the most part you are very conscious about your lifestyle but how did your mother's diagnosis changed your view on life? Did you make any changes for yourself?
PenFlavor wrote on June 29, 2014, 7:02 AM
That was a big eye opener!
We only realize there is substantial threat once we come face to face with it. Otherwise we stay passive throughout our lifetime. Because of our nature, needs cultivate more problems than solution. But it is good that you were able to accept the fact that everyone can be afflicted with Cancer; and that you took positive steps to be on guard yourself nbaquero . Thanks for sharing such an inspirational piece!
nbaquero wrote on June 29, 2014, 1:02 PM
PenFlavor Thanks for your comment. I know there is still a long way to go, but taking small steps in the right direction goes a long way. You are correct in saying our nature is to stay inactive until we face challenges. I admire people that is proactive and jumps into action in spite of our natural tendency to inaction.