At the tender age of 29, my mom passed away from heart disease, so it has always been on my radar. I was told she was very pretty and kind, but I was so young, I barely remember her at all. At 64, my only brother also died of heart disease and early onset Alzheimer’s. When I’m tempted to lay in bed and not exercise, I think of them and immediately jump out of my bed and head for the track or treadmill.
Matters of the Heart
I’ve been through a lot, but I’m very thankful to be alive and as well as I am. I’m 64 and was diagnosed with heart disease almost seven years ago. I had just lost 15 pounds, jogged 5 miles a day and was feeling and looking great! Then out of the blue, I couldn’t navigate the gentle hills in my neighborhood without getting out of breath.
So I went to my doctor and discovered I had cardio-myopathy and enlarged heart from almost 20 years of high blood pressure (HBP). I had gone to a couple of natural doctors and was on several vitamins trying to lower the HBP. At that point, I could barely walk 10 steps without having to sit down and my teen daughter sometimes had to help me.
I’m still fighting to keep my weight and blood pressure under control, but I feel good and try hard to encourage people to never give up on having good health. I believe it’s a matter of keeping the faith, eating healthy most times, doing the right thing and daily exercise.Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
A few months ago, I was almost attacked by two pit bulls while on my daily jog, but God was with me and I was saved just in the nick of time. My heart never fluttered; it was almost surreal and I’m so very thankful I stood my ground and didn’t run or I might not be here today. Staying cool and calm in all situations is the greatest part of my health journey.
When people cut me off on the freeway, get angry or start blowing their horn when I don’t drive fast enough for their taste, I simply look the other way or I might look over and give them a big smile. Stress is a killer and I truly believe many people would still be alive today if they only stayed in control and just think before they speak. Keeping anger and your temper under control is so important to good health. This is the theme of a children’s book I wrote about character, which is really great for all ages, races and creeds.
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A Healthy Life Plan
I’m still trying to lose 12 pounds because I do have a sweet tooth, which makes it very hard sometimes. I limit the chocolate cake and cookies; hardly ever eat ice cream or pasta and remain diligent to my daily walks, small food portions and exercise routine. Having a hearty breakfast daily, a very light lunch – mostly protein smoothies – and small dinner before 7 p.m. also help me keep the weight under control and are especially important to my healthy life plan.
Surrounding myself with beautiful people and a very few close friends that I really trust is also a great value. In today’s world of FB, Instagram, etc., sometimes people look to these for friendship, but I find it hard to believe they offer true relationships, which is what we all really need. I strongly believe good friends make life much easier, especially in the hard times.
A positive attitude and spirit are also very important. I love to laugh and some of my wig stories are to die for!
— Delores Tulloss
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