Vanity vs. Health

I just wanted to clarify something as I was thinking about my first blog entry. I'm sure it sounded extremely vain. I'm not just worried how many chins I have in a photo that is taken...I'm worried about my health in general. I have a genetic pre-disposition to many things and some I can't avoid but others I am sure are related to weight gain. I also feel like crap physically most of the time... tired, sluggish, random things hurting the never used to..etc. 


I've had high blood pressure for a few years now, but it did spring up when I was almost at my thinnest, so I can't really blame the weight. My last series of bloods tests however, indicated that my cholesterol was boderline high. That was a first for me. I have heart disease, diabetes, cancer and many other things in my family so I can't take something like this lightly.

Another issue is the fact that I now have to sleep with a CPAP machine - for sleep apnea. I've been a snorer for some time now, but I know it is worse now that I'm heavier because as the Doctor so blatantly told me (thanks I hadn't noticed)... I retain weight around my face and neck, which contributes to blocking my airway. I am apparently having surgery at some point to clear my nose so I can breathe better though it, but in the meantime, I snore like an 80 year old man without having an ugly mask strapped to my face. It's really sexy - let me tell you! 


Today I did my first shop, to start preparing the things I need. I still need to go into town and get a ton of plain non-fat yogurt and some other things that are going to be my staple foods. On base, we have the American food in the commissary and it's packed with the usual additives and sugar so I couldn't find much. I'm planning to cook on Monday since I'm home and hopefully get started diet wise by early next week. I have an open house/housewarming on Jan. 7th so I will need to have some serious control not to over-indulge. This will be a true test. 


I will also get on the treadmill in the morning, before we head to Cheltenham for New Years Eve. 


So this is my plan - I hope to stick to it. God - please give me the strength.