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I have been married for over five years now and I've known my husband and his family for about seven. His family is Louisiana good old southern cooking. His mom is a great cook, but most of her meals involves the traditional southern pound of butter. My boys won't touch my green beans, but they devour grandmas because BUTTER BUTTER BUTTER BUTTER! Needless to say my in-laws eat good food, but loaded with fat and they don't exercise. My mother-in-law is better about taking walks and she even joined Curves which I was thrilled about. My father-in-law decided he exercised enough back in college when he played basketball.
After my father-in-law had a slight health scare he went to his doctor and found out his cholesterol was high and so was his blood pressure. It started him on a path to getting his weight down and to live a healthier lifestyle. He started with his diet. My mother-in-law changed her cooking habits somewhat, but the big difference was his portion sizes and not eating dessert every night. He also incorporated more fruits and vegetables in with his snacks and meals. Next thing he knew he lost over 30lbs and dropped two waist sizes.
He then went back in to see his doctor and his cholesterol numbers were still on the high side. After reviewing his cholesterol information I told him HE HAD TO EXERCISE! I've been telling him this for years and it just wasn't sinking in. I gave him tips, advice, and even designed a program for him (we even bought him a bike for Christmas) and he still wasn't doing a thing. This time I was pretty blunt and to the point and I think the message finally soaked in.
Later that week he sent me an e-mail that he had climbed the six flight of stairs up to his office and took his blood pressure and heart rate readings for me to see how his body was responding to the exercise. Let's just say I could tell his heart was very untrained, but I told him it was a step in the right direction and to keep climbing those stairs. I have to say it's been three weeks now and he climbs those stairs everyday and sends me his readings everyday and I can't tell you how better shape he is getting in and how great he feels. Next week he is going to start doing it twice a day and try and get faster.
I'm sure all of you know someone who is in the same boat as my father-in-law. You probably get frustrated as you can see the dangerous lifestyle they are living and won't do a thing about it. My father-in-law had to find a way to get his exercise in by himself. He was not a walker, not a gym person, and he loved his bike, but finding the time was hard for him. Climbing those stairs everyday before lunch was his answer. He sleeps better, he breathes better, his feet are not swollen anymore, and he has more energy. You just have to start and once you do, you won't want to quit because the results are amazing!
I will keep you up to date on his progress. I hope it inspires someone!
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