Join UrbanMoms and some of our other members in the “sandwich generation” as we discuss keeping our hearts healthy in the “Life in the Sandwich” Blog Series. On March 23rd, add a new item to your heart health shopping list and visit your participating Loblaw banner store for a free Healthy Heart Check. It only takes 20 minutes of your time, but you will get a personalized picture of your key heart risk factors. Share your thoughts in the comments below for your chance to win some great prizes and learn some important information about heart health.
From the time I was 13 years-old or so I have spent a lot of time attempting to alter how I look. On and off I have tried to get fit, lose weight, find my own personal style, and regularly eat less. My reasons were many but at the core I was motivated by a desire to fit in. I wanted to be thin and fashionable and pretty because I thought this would help me to look more like everyone else. It was an external thing.
When I was pregnant I gained a lot of weight. I used pregnancy as an excuse to eat whatever I wanted and, basically let myself go. I loved being pregnant so much that I focused on becoming a mother and completely lost track of the fact that I was still myself. Not surprisingly, as soon as that baby was born I felt panicked by my appearance and managed to take the weight off after both of my pregnancies relatively quickly. However, that change was again motivated by a need to look good and a desire to fit in.
I could never figure out how friends of mine were able to stay so fit. How were they able to be so moderate and conscious in what they ate? I would gorge myself on chips and feel tremendously guilty and out of control. I could not figure out how people could eat just a few and walk away. I would panic about not being fit so I tried everything. About 5 years ago I started running. I trained very hard, lost 15lbs, and ran a bunch of 5km and 10km races. But my motivation was still “to look good”. And I did. I got a lot of compliments and I definitely saw people’s image of me shift. However, I rarely stuck to anything. Once the panic went away so did my motivation.
As I approach my 40th Birthday I have been doing a lot of self-reflection. I have been thinking about WHY I have spent nearly 30 years of my life trying to change what I look like and rarely being satisfied. Because, the truth is, I am me. I will always be 5’11”. I will always have big, curly hair. I will never be an expert on fashion trends and make-up and the latest look. And now that I know this, now that I am the closest I have ever been to accepting myself for who I am, I have discovered the strangest thing; I totally missed the point.
Now I see that the people who are able to stick with a fitness regimen or eat moderately or keep up with the latest trends are motivated by something bigger – like maintaining a healthy heart and mind. Most of them, anyway, are not simply focused on the superficial desire to be cute, they are getting something else out of it and looking good is just a bonus.
Now when I run I do it as a gift to myself both in the moment and in the long-term. When I think about how many families I know who have been touched by heart disease and stroke, being physically fit becomes even more of a priority because it is one of the best ways to reduce my family’s risk of these diseases. I run and walk and live an active life and eat well because it makes me feel good, from the inside out. It gives my body strength, my mind a break, and my future promise. It is an investment in a happy, healthy me that will pay off big time in the long-run. Plus, I am a great role model for my kids. I am no athlete like their father but they see me making smart choices when it comes to food and they see me making fitness – and my overall health – a priority.
I think if I had figured this out sooner things would have been very different for me. I would not have gone on so many diets in my younger years or made so many poor choices when it came to food. I would not have pushed myself so hard to “look good” when that was merely one small part of the overall picture. If my motivation had come from loving and caring for myself and my health, instead of changing the way I look, maybe I would have been able to find something sooner.
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We all know how important healthy eating and activity are for a healthy heart. That’s why we are so excited! Thanks to our supporters, Becel and Loblaw Companies, we are offering one lucky UrbanMoms member a chance to win $500 worth of groceries! All you have to do is comment on this post. Your comment is your entry to win $500 in President’s Choice® gift cards accepted at any Loblaw banner store and coupons for free Becel pro.activ. Be sure to check out the two upcoming posts in this blog series for two more chances to win! The winner will be chosen randomly by random.org. Good luck!
Canadians can get a free Healthy Heart Check brought to you by Becel and participating Loblaw banner stores* on March 23rd from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., or by appointment.
*Participating stores include Loblaws, Zehrs, Real Canadian Superstore, Your Independent Grocer, Extra Foods, Atlantic Superstore and Dominion in Newfoundland and Labrador only…
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Additional Information:
- Testing is available nationally at the participating stores: Loblaws, Zehrs, Real Canadian Superstore, Your Independent Grocer, Extra Foods, Atlantic Superstore and Dominion in Newfoundland and Labrador only.
- At 150 select Loblaw banner stores nationally there will be Registered Dietitians in-store to provide customized heart healthy tips.
- Visit www.loveyourheart.ca to find a test location near you.
- Unable to join us on March 23rd? Visit participating pharmacy locations to schedule an appointment.
- Consider
bringing along a loved one – your parent, or perhaps an aunt or
grandparent. It’s a great way to show how much you care. - This
pharmacist-administered assessment involves answering a few simple
lifestyle and family history questions, and a blood pressure and
cholesterol test. - The
Healthy Heart Check takes approximately 20 minutes and
includes: Pharmacist consultation, blood pressure check, cholesterol
test, and customized printout. - More
than 34,000 Canadians that have been tested through this free service
since 2009. - Unable
to join us on March 23rd? Visit participating pharmacy
locations to schedule an appointment. - The
Healthy Heart Check program is brought to you by the Becel Centre and
Loblaw Companies Limited. - Contest
ends on March 24, 2011.Click here for contest
Rules and
Regulations.UrbanMoms.ca members are eligible to win so don’t forget to sign-in.
Click here to join!
Not a member yet?
Amazing read. Thank you for sharing your story!
Thanks for such an inspirational read. Time to get off my butt, grab my sneakers and jogging stroller, and get some exercise and fresh air with my baby girl. I know we both feel good after we do it, and what a good example to set for her. Thanks for putting things in perspective and helping me get my priorities straight.
I can totally relate to your story. I have many times tried to change the way I look. Now I’m almost 50 and I think I’m finally getting it LOL and I’m just trying to be the best “Me” I can be.
What a great post. I’m sure we have all struggled at various times to try and change the way we look by dieting or whatever. While I find jogging and running very difficult because of back problems I try to walk often. We’ve also implemented eating vegetarian at least once a month and I’m working on changing that to once a week. Unfortunately I love meat too much to give it up completely but I try to be aware of portion sizes.
Great points. Focusing on health, fitness, and enjoying activities leads to much more happiness than meeting temporary, superficial goals. Thanks & all the best!
I completely agree with everything you’ve said. I always though I wasn’t healthy enough to run beause of my asthma and colitis but since I’ve been running, those conditions have all that disappeared…along with the 10 lbs I gained when I turned 30.
One thing that coincides a lot with my feelings about running are the pride I feel in myself about the accomplishments I achieve as well as the positive example I know I am setting for my kids. Once, when my daughter and her friends were playing dress-up in my closet, she dressed up as “Mommy” by wearing my jogging clothes and Ipod!
My mother struggled with the same issues for years. It’s an inspiring story, especially today when we are bombarded with images of unhealthy and unrealistic body types.
Speaking of hearts….the awakened heart for me is one that is expanding outwardly in concentric circles, reaching further and further to encompass the knowledge needed to make better decisions — the knowledge to run our life more wisely.
What a great post! I think you’ve hit the nail on the head – trying to make healthy choices is definitely a win-win situation. I’m sure you are a great role model for your kids, and you have definitely inspired me to continue to be active and eat well for the right reasons.
Hard work and perseverance pays off.
Congrats Jen
Inspiring. Time to strap on the runners and grab my jogging stroller.
Very inspirational. Time to strap on the ruuning shoes, grab the jogging stroller and get moving!
Good insights! I found myself, in my teens/early twenties, much more focused upon my external image, as opposed to my inner health. I’ve been eating a healthy diet for as long as I can remember (from early childhood, though I did have to occasional junk-food binge at friend’s houses who had junk food in the house). But I really think I came to a place of eating and taking care of myself for my health’s sake when, at 33 years old, I became a mother. I now have two children, aged 4.5 and 21 months. Never before have I had such deep motivation to live a long and healthy life.
Inspiring post. And Jen, you always look fabulous 🙂
What a great post. Thank yo very much!
Great post. I just had a talk with my husband this week about how important it is to take steps to improve our health BEFORE health issues start creeping up. We are both in our mid thirties, and noticed our energy levels, immune systems are as great as they used to be. We are healthy but not commited to anything consistent in terms of fitness and diet is good but there are always ways to make it better! Time to take action. Hope that on our journey our kids will learn a healthy lifestyle as well.
I know what it is to struggle and hate the way you look, and worry about size. Right now I am simply trying to get healthier.
For me being obese weight loss is a must.
I have been eating healthy and Becel has been a part of that. I am also moving and like the poster before me and going from couch to 5k to a half marathon later in the year I pray.
Wonderful post. It is so good to know that you can change your lifestyle and it is all about making good choices. You are thinking long term rather than in terms of pounds and that is a huge jump that I am making too. Great Job. Keep it up!
You know, ftr, I think your height is gorgeous, and everyone wants to change something, I think.
I just starting a couch to 5k myself, because I was finding I was getting stiff after sitting for a while, and realized I needed to get myself moving again. I am not old enough to be getting stiff! It’s not easy to start, but I’m hoping to feel better soon enough that it will keep me going. We can all use a little more of this in our lives!
When I was growing up I was a competitive gymnast – and while I was super fit, strong, and learned early exercise discipline, it did a number on my body image. I have always exercised, and it’s one of those non-negotiables for me – I just feel better, on the inside, and I look better on the outside. Win-win. I was the most fit I’ve ever been when I was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 30. And I truly believe my fitness helped me get through treatment and come out pretty good on the other side. So now when I exercise, it isn’t about losing weight, or trying to get my abs back (seriously, where did they go?), but it’s about my long-term health. I love that I can run 10k. Or ski black diamonds. Or chase my toddler through a park and keep up. Really I exercise as a legacy to my daughter – because I want her to always see exercise as a part of daily life, and I want to be around a long, long time. Thanks for sharing your story!
Well written. I think most that do not stay on “diets” do in fact miss the point. When vaniety is the only reason – it’s hard to maintain. Needs to be a greater goal. As a man, I even got this!
Great post. I am glad you are staying in shape. It is very important as a mother to be a role model for your children and so staying in shape and eating right is very important. Your kids will thank you when they are older for showing them how to be active and stay fit and healthy! But even if you do not have kids, it is important to stay healthy for yourself, not for anyone else.
Such a great post! As someone who has lost a significant amount of weight, I know firsthand that you have to be committed to it because you’re doing it for your health first and foremost. Great, healthy food and exercise you enjoy are the only ways to get you to your goal in a way that will keep you there once you’ve arrived. I’m down 65 lbs and have 25 more to go. This prize would do wonders to help me get there!
As I am approaching 40, I worry as well than any additional weight I put on will not melt away as quickly as before. This is why I am working so hard at losing these extra 30lbs. I have joined Weight Watchers but running is something I always wanted to try. I just have to get my butt moving.
Great article.
I don’t have much use for the heart check, but this is good info to pass on to my 85 year old grandmother. I’m sure she’ll take the time to stop by to get a test done. Thanks for the info!
Thank you ! It’s often a struggle in “everyday living” to stay inspired. We’re busy…we’re overwhelmed and we tend to put ourselves last. It’s articles like this that will often get us back on the road to looking after ourselves and I appreciate them !
Great post…and timely for me as well. Although I didn’t struggle when I was younger, I am starting to now that I have reached my mid-40’s. It’s a great reminder to focus on health rather than more superficial issues.
My mother struggled with the same issue for years. Glad to read a very inspiring story like this. It’s such in important lesson to learn given the constant barrage of images and expectations toward an unrealistic and unhealthy body image.
Thanks for the inspiring read!
What a great post. I too have struggled with many of these issues. While I am a little shorter than you – I do have curly unruly hair and a few extra pounds to shed. I try not to worry about them in front of my daughter as I do not want her to have self esteem issues. I have started running and am in 2 10Kms this summer and I also do yoga and pilates. Hope it helps!
I read so much of myself in your post! I’m turning 30 next year and i want to be a fabulous 30. I am not going for a diet, but a life style…food is fuel and I think that has been the biggest thing I’ve learned. Food is not comfort-it’s fuel. I am pretty good about exercising, but it’s the food that kills me! Thanks so much for this post. It reminds me what I know and sometimes don’t practice!
You look fantastic! I really need to get off my lazy butt and start exercising more. I always felt so much better afterwards too. I used to be so active when my kids were younger always taking them out in the winter time for sled rides around town and then for walks around town in the summer. If I tried to do any of that now it would probably kill me, lol! Your post was very inspiring, so seeing as it is Monday I am going to start out slow here by starting a new exercise regime and building my way up to where I was before. I want to be a positive role model in my kids lives and I think this will help too.
I can relate to this 100%. I’ve spent my entire young life worried about what I look like, not for myself but more for appearances sake. Since having a child, I’ve begun to think about my health and how I need to get healthy so that I can be here for a long time…for her. Heart disease runs in my family and I’ve been directly affected by it. I lost a grandparent from stroke and another from a heart attack. My own father had a mild heart attack as well. I don’t know what the future holds for my family but I hope it’s being more active and leading long healthy lives together.
Thanks for putting things in perspective. I too used pregnancy as an excuse to eat whatever I wanted and now 3 kids later I’ve been thinking quite a bit about how I need to improve my overall health. Not just for my sake, but for my kids too.
Thanks for such a great post. As I read it, I see so much of myself in your words. As a health professional I know the importance of regular exercise and a healthy diet, but somehow that isn’t enough motivation for me. I am constantly setting new dates of when the next diet will start, I’ll start out strong, then life and family gets in the way and I skip exercise or overeat and sabotage myself. Like right now, I’m thinking that there’s only 3 months or so until shorts and T-shirt weather and how I can’t bear to shed my hoodies and maternity jeans- even though my daughter is 13 months old!
Thanks for the reminder that I need to put myself first in order to be the wife and mom I want to be, an example to my patients, and most importantly, be around for a long, long time.
Great post, I hate how we can get so caught up in how we look that we forget how we feel.
You look fab and am so glad you are staying fit for the right reasons! 🙂
I can’t enter this contest, but I also spent many years trying to change my body. Somewhere along the way I lost the urge to eat all the chips and chocolate bars. I developed a love of nutrition, slow food, exercise that I enjoy. It’s not perfect, and neither is my body, but I’m generally happy with my health and fitness, could be better, could be worse. However, I do focus too much on my wrinkles now! OUCH!
I need to shift my priorities.
What a great post!
I too will be reaching that 40th milestone this year and it was a pleasure to read this post. I have signed up to complete the 1/2 marathon here in Ottawa as part of 40th, bucket list, looking forward to your next posts!
Interesting read…..what to eat and staying healthy are big topics in our household, but it is tough to know where to draw the line. Growing up, I was allowed to eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, leading to a decade of obesity. I now have my eating habits and weight under control, but it was a tough journey that I do not want my children to have to deal with, so we try to model that everything is ok in moderation!
Such an inspiring post. I hope my daughters never have to struggle with these issues. I am always cautious to not criticize my body around them and to instead celebrate what it can do. It makes me so uncomfortable when other grown women do not do the same around young girls.