Family Genes

Today is the 11 year anniversary of my granddad's death. It is hard to not reflect on him in all that I do today. When I sat down to write tonight's blog I wasn't sure what I was going to write about, but it was apparent that I should tell you all a little about him. My granddad was a BIG man...he was tall, heavy and very strong. He did a lot of manual labor. He owned and operated a dairy farm and was a coal miner. He was the father of 5 and granddad of many. My granddad loved our family. Our family shared many meals around his kitchen table. I say his table because he always sat at the head of the table. He was a man who didn't waste. When would finish what we wanted from our breakfast, lunch and dinner plates and all of the plates would be passed to him. He would eat what he wanted off of your discarded plate and the rest would go into a bucket to help feed the animals. My granddad ate three large meals a day. He was a healthy man. He didn't have blood pressure or cholesterol issues. I think one of the main reasons he was able to be a large, healthy man was because he ate very little food filled with additves and/or preservatives. He and my lil gram canned their own fruits and vegetables and raised their own chickens, pigs and cows. They ate off the land. They ate healthy meals filled with nutrients. Yes, my lil gram cooked with lard and she probably still does. All foods were consumed in moderation and were nutritionally balanced.

I went to a new PCP this week. I was totally turned off by her. Each thing I wanted to discuss with her she reminded me I was overweight. Well Doc, I know I am overweight. I asked for a referral to a nutritionist and she blew me off. However, she didn't blow off my friend who wanted to pursue weight loss surgery with her. Needless to say I am not going to be seeing her again.

I realize I am rambling here...let me wrap it up. At the end of the day, if you are healthy and are able to live a very active life, but you weigh more than the suggested weight for your height - who gives a shit?! If I had half the energy as my granddad did and if I ate off the land like he did I believe I would not be on WW today.

My mother in law sent my husband and I a great book - Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. If you haven't read it I encourage you to.