Sudden Heart Attacks Really Do Break Hearts

As are so many people, I am stunned and saddened by the death of NBC’s Washington bureau chief and “Meet the Press” moderator Tim Russert. He was one of the few journalists I trusted.

Russert died of a sudden heart attack, which on average kills 850 Americans a day. While he’d been diagnosed and treated for several heart disease-related ailments, a piece of plaque on his artery walls fractured and caused a coronary thrombosis. Newsweek.com posted an article describing the kind of heart attack that killed Russert. Click here to read it.

Russert’s death will probably heat up the weight and diet debate in this country, but will Americans seriously examine their diets and sedentary lifestyles as a result? My guess is, sadly, no.

My father had two heart attacks the summer of 1986. The first one was a “baby” heart attack, more of a foreshadowing of the big one a few weeks later.

I’ll never forget that night. Mom called me at 2 a.m. from the hospital saying dad had another heart attack and was in the ICU. My sister, who lived in Virginia at the time, was in town on business and I called her at her hotel. I picked her up and we went to the hospital. Seeing my father – my strong, handsome, 55-year-old father – laying helpless on a gurney and weeping as doctors and nurses fussed all around him was the most scary and sad moment of my life.

Dad lived, and the week that ensued, doctors put a stent in one of his coronary arteries because it was almost completely blocked. While diet played a role in his condition, Dad also smoked, was overweight, had a stressful job, and didn’t exercise. Once home, he changed his diet and quit smoking. He never got the drive to exercise, though. Now 78, he finally takes walks with my mom, but he took up smoking again several years ago and is now diabetic. I love my dad very much, but he’s complicated and frustrating sometimes.

Because heart disease clearly runs in my family, it was primarily that risk that drove me down the scale the last time. My triglycerides were over 300 and my cholesterol levels weren’t far behind. My sugar levels were out of sight, too, and it was a matter of time before I developed diabetes. Losing weight brought all these numbers down to normal and low ranges, but I will have to work diligently all my life to keep them that way.

I am so sad for all the people Tim Russert leaves behind. I am sad for the families and loved ones of the 850 other Americans who die every day from sudden heart attack. I hope Tim Russert’s death will not be in vain. I hope people who aren’t paying attention to their health will finally get serious and change their lives around. If not for themselves, then for the people who love them.

The Clothes Make the Workout

You know what’s sexy? Weight-lifting gloves. The black Velcro-y ones with the fingers cut out and that wrap around your wrists all tight and secure-like. I like wearing them more than a little black dress. I don’t care that no one sees me wear them. It’s how they make me feel, all fit and buff, like I know what I’m doing. Which I kind of do, but in this case, "the clothes make the man.” LOL

I work out mostly at home, but I go to the rec center once or twice a week. One reason I like to work out at in public is because I’m challenged there by the people working out around me. In a recent study, exercisers who worked out next to people they felt were in better shape than they were had a 10-20 percent better workout because they were psychologically challenged to work physically harder. That’s the kind of kick in my seat I need once in awhile. As I wrote about in my blog called "Kicking It Up A Notch" over on Refuse to Regain, it’s easy to get complacent.

Besides the gloves, I have a few shirts I like to wear that emphasize certain arm muscles and shorts that de-emphasize my tummy skin. As I said, even when I’m by myself, I like to see my body in its best light. I spent so many years avoiding mirrors and denying what my body looked like that I’m trying to reclaim it, get to know it, every last inch – flaws and all.

Do you ever wonder if you’re affecting other people when you work out? Are you aware of people around you? Do you like to wear certain articles of clothing when you work out that make you more psyched for your routine? I look forward to the discussion!

Back from Texas

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The First Video Blog is Up!!!

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I know I SHOULD be in bed but....

I know that I should be in bed at midnight with work tomorrow, BUT... I just finished uploading my first video blog!!!I put a lot of effort into making this video and I hope that you enjoy it and share it with others. :) Please leave a comment so I know what you think!If I get a good response, I will be likely to make more video posts.Enjoy!!JessP.S.I will be traveling to Houston,TX this

Back to Blue

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Got a bad cold…

Wow. I can’t remember the last time I was this sick!I just spent the last few days in bed, and to top it all off I got my period too! What a nightmare.I finally went back to work today because I really could not miss anymore. I felt so bad disrupting my co-workers with all my hacking and sneezing and blowing my nose.I am still pretty sick, but I think I am on the upswing!I hope to walk a bit on