The wicked holiday weight is finally gone! How’d I do it? Simple: A phone call. To the doc’s office. For an appointment. That’s right, My dreaded Annual Physical is tomorrow.
If mainlining broccoli for 2 weeks will roust any plaque that may be setting up shop in my arteries, and dropping a prodigious 3 pounds will make the doc swoon in admiration and beg me to be the poster child for robust health, then I am sitting pretty.
Seriously though I started running because I have shall we say, clear and present danger. Genetically, the deck is stacked against me, no thanks to a sordid family history. My dad’s mother and his 3 sisters all died of heart attacks in their 50’s or younger. My dad has had bypass surgery and suffers from a mixed bag of ailments including Type 2 diabetes. My mom chooses to go the ‘ignorance is bliss’ route.
I’m hoping my lifestyle enhancements, namely running and (mostly) healthy eating, might skew the odds back in my favor. To say the least, I’m on edge to hear my bloodwork results. But knowledge is power right? That’s what I keep telling myself.
Do you see your doctor regularly? Are you nervous about it or do I have the corner on that market?
Great job on those pesky holiday pounds! My family has similar history and both my parents have type II diabetes, so that's certainly part of the motivation for my running. I'll have my physical in Feb and I've been a good girl all year long, so I have no problems going. 🙂
i regularly went when i was little but once i graduated high school i really only went for ear aches and sick visits. the physical i had this past fall was the first one in 5 years!! and sadly now that i'm 23 my pediatrician will no longer see me. boo because i love her and felt very comfy therefore no fear. i do, however, regularly see my "specialists" ie) eye doctor, ob/gyn, derm
good luck at your appt! i definitely believe that knowledge is power so i'm glad your going 🙂
good for you. it is terrible to have a decked stacked against you. that is how i feel re: breast cancer (grandma and mom on my mom's side… ummm yeah). but. we do what we can!!!!!!!!!!
Nice work- broccoli plus some marathon training! Just in the last 2 years have I been getting physicals regularly, mainly a product of getting older. I worry about my iron (always low) and blood sugar (just neurotic, I guess, no other reason).
I've got a physical coming up, too, and I have to say I'm a little nervous. I got my first high cholesterol test result when I was just 11! Ever since, it's been up and down and I'm really hoping it's down right now! I've got terrible family history too. My mom is only 55 and she has had 2 stints placed in her arteries and has diabetes and high blood pressure (as does my dad) and I never even met my maternal grandfather because he died of a heart attack at 42! Definitely reason to try and stay healthy, huh?
Hope your visit goes well.
I get nervous too for my annual stuff. Good luck on the results!
Luckily, my work gives me a full physical every year. Two yrs ago, I had my physical 4mon after I had my second baby. All of my numbers had gone up since the year before because I was carrying around extra baby weight. It caused me to kick it into high gear and loose the weight plus some. Glad to say all my numbers are awesome, thank you running, except my blood pressure. Nothing to do but take meds. Between genetics and the preeclampisa with baby number two. That's all there is. Oh Well.
As Dr. Drew Pinsky states, in the latest edition of Runners World – "I do recommend running as a cure all. It's the magic ingredient and an important physical release." I have heart attacks and all kinds of diseases in my family history. My lifestyle change has had a tremendous impact in my overall health and well being. Even though I have 30 more pounds to kick out of my body, I feel so much better. Have a great day.
I am always nervous when I go to the doctor. I keep thinking that suddenly something is going to change. I have family history against me too. My dad was third generation male (thankfully) to pass away of a heart attack before 50. Probably the #1 reason I started running.
Good luck!
Good for you for being proactive about your health. I can totally relate.
Good luck with your Doctor and happy trails!
Great job on the weight loss! I am in the exact same situation. When I go to the doctor's office to fill out a family history I feel like I check everything that is one the list! I always feel I need to do my best at prevention 🙂
I do not see my doctor regularly. I should go more consistently but…
I rarely feel nervous about it. I feel I know my body and I usually know when something is really wrong.
Congrats on the weight loss and fighting the genes your parents gave you!
I work in the medical field but I still get nervous about all exams. I have a family history of heart disease and cancer. It is great that you are being responsible and getting things done:)
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http://runninaround.wordpress.com/2010/01/12/monday-funday/
Good for you getting it together and keeping an eye on things… especially when the odds are stacked against you. Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Oh and yes, I see the doc yearly and get tests galore just to be safe!
Good luck at the dr's office tomorrow!
I don't stress about my regular doctor, but I'm always nervous about going to the dermatologist. Pale skin + too much sun in highschool/college = a very nervous me.
MCM Mama
Great job on the weight loss. I'm still carrying 3 lbs from the holidays. What makes that really bad is that Sunday I had to fast/purge for a colonoscopy on Monday, and as of today I still have the 3 lbs! I'm seriously considering going no-sugar like you did. That will help weight and health. Good luck at the doctor. I do believe a person can turn around their genetic bad luck with a good lifestyle and you certainly have one.
Oh wow! I am so happy to hear that you are taking the right actions to take care of yourself with that history! I do see my doc regularly. 🙂 I think we all should, no matter how hard it feels 🙂
I don't go to the doctor much but I dread the dermatologist visits, the California sun is NOT forgiving!
i've got a ton of heart disease and cancer in my family history too. you are smart for getting yourself checked out and running so much! nobody else in my family runs.
I had my annual the week after Christmas – good motivation to forgo the leftovers!
My Dr.'s office has scales with a huge digital display screen for the whole world to see your weight. Gotta love that.
"weigh" to go on the weight loss 🙂