From the heart...
 I would like to start this letter with a quiz. What could be the problem? You have some upper back pain, but remember you had personal training the night before. You are feeling tired since getting over the flu. You have some anxiety and slight sweating while running errands, since the school district threatened a strike. The next day you have chest pressure, like a weight on your chest. The day after you start sweating making lunch, and you don’t feel quite right with a little more chest pressure along with some difficulty breathing. You take a nap because you are really tired. When you wake up you call the doctor because now you are nauseous. What’s wrong? It’s a HEART ATTACK.
This is what happened to me last year. I had two cardiac catheterizations, underwent 8 weeks of cardiac rehab, and started my new life with MANY medications. I’m not what you may think of a typical heart attack patient. I never smoked, I don’t drink anymore, I’m a regular at the gym, and I do try to watch what I eat. Sometimes that’s not enough. I’m one of those lucky ones to have “bad heart genes.” My father died of a heart attack at the age of 39. I’m 41. One of the reasons I joined Momentum was that I wanted to make it past 39.
When I started at Momentum, like so many, I became hooked. Momentum became a new home for me. I loved the classes, the instructors, the “vibe” of the place, and the way my body was changing. I made new friends and became addicted to the classes. I would exercise 2 hours a day, 3 or 4 times a week. I became what I call “a gym weenie”. Unfortunately after I turned 40, I started having health problems. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and gained a lot of weight while taking prednisone. While I was trying to get my Crohn’s under control, I had a heart attack.
While it’s been a slow recovery process, I am doing well. Thank you to everyone who provided so much encouragement and inquires into my health progress. It’s fantastic to know how concerned so many members were for my well-being. Thank you Lisa P. for answering all my medical questions!
One of the lessons I have learned from my health crisis is that I don’t have to go all-out crazy to get a workout. I now do most of my classes low impact. I wear a heart monitor and try to stay in my zones. I can get a fantastic workout and burn just as many calories if I do intense low impact workouts. I enjoy Attack much more since my heart attack as I’m learning to listen to my body a whole lot better. Some days I can give 100% and sometimes it’s less... within the same class it can vary. I hear a great song and go all out, and then take a recovery when needed (feel free to join me in the back row if you feel that way, too!). My goals have changed, and I have a different perspective on life. I’ve learned I don’t have to win the race anymore. I’m just glad if I can finish it in one piece, especially Attack.
As a mom we are so busy taking care of our loved ones that sometimes we forget about ourselves. We are not indestructible. I’ve had warning signs but didn’t listen. I listen much better now. We need to take care of ourselves so we are around to take care of others. Life is precious! Enjoy the ability to move!
So get your cholesterol checked, get your mammogram, and get a physical if you have a family history of health problems. Be an advocate for yourself. You know when something isn’t right. Listen to your body. I want to see you at the gym along with me until I’m old and gray (I won’t tell anyone if you color :) ).
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