I want to talk about something important, but I didn’t want to write about it in January. January is a time of endless promises to ourselves to make changes, improve our lives, and become wonderful human beings. While they are all great New Year’s resolutions, we all know the statistics … most of us fall off the resolution wagon very quickly. Hop to site to know more. I want to deliver my message at a time when there is less chance that folks are into ‘resolution’ mode, because I want you to listen to me well and take me seriously.

Here it is: we HAVE to start taking better care of ourselves. Disappointed? I know you have heard it a billion times. So have I. And I, like you, have gone through the process of starting anew time and time again. So what’s so different for me this time?

Well, for one thing, I am getting older and problems are creeping up – blood pressure and blood sugar are at the high end of normal, threatening to go over the threshold to diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Getting older is SUCH a pain. I have arthritis, I don’t sleep well and some days I don’t have much ambition. So my body is trying to tell me to shape up – and fast – before it’s too late.

But that’s not the reason I am committed to being very serious about my health. The real reason is that I recently lost my mother. She had severe osteoporosis and had to move to a nursing home because she could no longer take care of herself. She suffered two knee replacements, a broken hip and a broken pelvis. Her joints and bones had deteriorated to such a state that she could no longer walk and she suffered constant pain. Yes, she was 93, but she was a cognitively perfect 93 year old who loved life and people and she died in a nursing home under less than perfect circumstances.

I will spare you the details, but I will say that the situation has made me resolve to NEVER allow myself to deteriorate to the degree where I have to put myself into the care of an institution full of strangers. Don’t get me wrong – I am sure there are wonderful people – both staff and residents – at most nursing homes. And I do know that for some people, illnesses happen despite how we live our lives.

In my mother’s case, she did not have any diseases, disorders or serious illnesses other than osteoporosis. Had she truly understood the impact of proper nutrition and exercise, she would have taken better steps to ensure she remained independent throughout her life. As it was, my mother lost her ability to make choices for herself and she had to accept personal care, and yes, personal indignities by strangers. She was always a very private person and although she never complained, I know how much she hated it. Please don’t think I am placing blame on my mom for her situation. She just didn’t realize that she had the power to impact the deterioration of her body. Today we have so much more information about health.

So in her honour and for the sake of my children who might someday have to be my caregivers, I have a responsibility to stop hiding behind laziness and procrastination and start doing everything in my power to maintain – and yes, improve my current state of health. I am sitting at a dangerous crossroads and I am committed to taking the high road.

And it’s not too late for all of you to do the same. I don’t care what your age or state of health is, I know you can be healthier, more flexible and more robust. I am never going to be a star athlete or an exercise enthusiast, but I can take a brisk walk every day. We live in a place where it’s a sin not to!

So here’s my challenge to you. Give up fast food and artificial additives, eat lots more fruit and veggies, get out and move every day, stand up and stretch often … easy steps to ensure a life of independence and freedom from pain and disease. Will you join me? I hope to see you on the trail! Bring your camera or your children or your grandchildren or your dog, and get out and have some fun on this beautiful Island. Your future self is counting on you!

Peggy Grigor
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