What Does Health Mean To Me?

Since my blog is about slimming and health, today I'd like to blog a little bit about what health means to me.

When I was a young boy, I was pretty unhealthy. I wasn't fat back then, but I was always coughing. I often visit the doctor and medicine was kind of part of my diet. I even coughed to the extent that the doctor advised me to stand under the sun for half an hour every day. I did not know for what reason he asked me to do that. All I knew was my mom made me do it in order to be healthier. Anyway, that was the time when I was around 4-5 years old.

I grew up to be a slim boy. In fact, I would call myself skinny instead. I did not like sports or games and would avoid them whenever I could. I hated jogging and running as every time I have physical education lessons, I would run out of breath. Nevertheless, I was skinny (slim if you would like to call it), but I was not healthy. I lacked confidence whenever I see that others can run fast. However, apart from this small problem, I have no other health issue. I ate well, and I slept well. I can swim and I can hike. I love walking up stairs (somehow that did not give me any difficulty in breathing). Still, I tried my best not to get involved in running.

And because I was skinny (I was 57kg even when I was 19), I took my health for granted all these years. When it comes to food, everything can go into my stomach. I ate huge quantities of food everyday and I also eat very oily foods without thinking. My parents used to say that even if I soak myself in oil, I will never grow fat. Ya... Fat Hope!

When I went into my twenties, signs of 'growing' started to show up. Ya, I began growing horizontally in my late twenties, and once I reach thirty, my growth was 'exponential'. In less than ten years, my weight has increased by more than 10kg, and I earned myself a big beer belly. I was able to do ten chin ups during my army days but now, I cannot even do two. Still, I thought that being fat is a small issue and I can live with it. "Everybody else is fat" I thought. "Being fat is normal" I thought.

Few months ago, my wife attended a health seminar, and she brought me along. I had a shock when I saw for myself the kind of risks I am carrying in myself. I am a time bomb waiting to explode. My health condition is not as rosy as I thought it is. As a result of my obesity, I have developed slip disc. I also have high cholesterol level. Luckily, my blood pressure is still normal.

What shocked me was the diseases that are caused by obesity. Heart diseases, diabetes, stress, and many others are associated with the obese, and if one does not recognize the dangers of these, one is doomed to move towards destruction. You may find that I am a little bit dramatic here but a fact is a fact. I have friends that are in a even more dangerous zone than I am and they still have not realize this fact.

Lucky for me I took action. I took action because I value my life. More importantly, I took action because I value my love ones, especially my wife and my daughter. I took action because I also want to help others realize the danger they are in. And I am happy today I saw what happened to me, and I took action to change it.

So what does health mean to me?

Today, with regards to health, I live by one principle - Staying Healthy Today Means That I Do Not Have To Pay For It Later.

I got struck with slip disc because of the choices I made ten years ago. I have high cholesterol today because of the foods I took five years ago. It is all going to change. Ten years from now, I am going to be as fit as a fiddle. I know the importance of a healthy diet, the importance of regular exercise, and most of all, the importance of how I can enjoy my life with my love ones in my future.

Time to change my clothes!!!

Check it out! It's time to buy new clothes! As promised, here is my latest photograph and as you can see, I really have to buy myself some new pair of pants (and also new shirts as I do look like I am wearing clothes I stole).

Anyway, it has been very busy weeks and as such, I have not visited the gym for a while (no excuse!!!). I will and I must go for some exercise at the end of this week. More updates coming up soon...