A Family History

I'm supposed to be doing my anatomy right now, but HAD to share some information I learned from talking to Mom about some family health history.

My Grandfather (her father) died from a heart attack at age 52. His dad died of a heart attack as well as his brothers (except for one.. he had one but lived). She said he drank a lot and didn't watch what he ate, so that obviously added to the risk. She also said a family doctor had told them it was a condition that ran through the men - a heart attack "gene", I guess? I tried googling it but didn't come up with anything. I'll probably ask my anatomy and health teachers about it.

I also learned that my Grandmother/Nana (Mom's mom) had a stroke (well.. I knew that), but HER mother did as well. They believe Nana's was from a hormone replacement medication she was taking, but was the risk higher because of the family history?

Moments like these make me ecstatic. I am SO glad I lost weight. I probably lowered my risk a ton, as well as lost it all now while I'm younger so it won't be harder later. Maybe these heart issues could point to why my circulation in my fingers and toes are bad? Or why I'm iron deficient?
Either way, I'm a lot healthier now, and I considered myself blessed to be so.

I'm also thankful diabetes and chronic obesity isn't in my family either. Nor major cancers!

This news has certainly given me a skip in my step and motivation to A) continue my health journey, B) up-up-up my cardio workouts, and C) finish this darn anatomy so I can get my research paper done. Blah.

Namaste,
T. Smith

Song of the Day:
Pull Me Back to Earth
Friendly Fires

Namaste!

I'm finally getting this up & running!

I'm making this primarily for myself (and hopefully others) to show the importance and excitement that comes with getting, being, and staying healthy, from all aspects.

For example: Spiritual health is just if not more important than physical or emotional health. One could argue the others are more important, etc. The goal is to balance them all to a point in which you are at your optimal health - which is my personal goal.

I believe a short background would be appropriate as a beginning post.

Physical
I'm 17, 5' 4", 138lbs with an approximate BMI of 23.
I currently have a vegetarian diet for a project, but will continue being an omnivore after this month is over.

Emotional
Although I have a semi-stressful life currently with my senior year of high school, I consider myself to be well emotionally. If I ever feel overwhelmed I have numerous amazing friends to talk to, as well as a loving boyfriend.

Spiritual
I love researching religions and spirituality. After feeling out-of-place with Christianity, I began to look at the wide variety of religions that the World has to offer, from various sects of Christianity, to Hinduism, to Baha'i (still a favorite), to Pagan faiths. I have currently found myself the most comfortable with Wicca (no particular group, just Solitary and Eclectic) and it's spiritual beliefs. There is so much to it, and I've only skimmed the surface, but I find myself more and more aligned with it.
I have meaning to meditate more, but can't seem to calm my mind enough. Practice makes perfect.. unless practice is nearly impossible.

Those are just the basics, and I expect them to change throughout the course of my life. That's ok. I'd love to find a point of balance between the three so I can have the feeling of being my healthiest.

Thank you for being to read! I'll hopefully be posting daily!

Namaste!
T. Smith