Posts: 111
5/10/12 11:56 A

Believe it or not, death is what gave me the motivation to begin my journey. In February, my estranged father committed suicide at age 61. We held his memorial service up a hiking trail. I was winded and in pain before we were halfway there. This, to me, was unacceptable, especially under the circumstances.

In a way, this weight loss journey is part of making a belated peace with my dad... It's complicated.

You are right, when someone dies, it really is a reminder how precious life is. My heart goes out to this family, and I hope they find comfort and support in their time of grief.

current weight: 189.2

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SparkPoints: (4,165)
Fitness Minutes: (3,731)
Posts: 221
5/10/12 11:43 A

Very sorry for your friend's family at this time. It is a very harsh reality check that it may be time to take a hard look in the mirror and reaffirm your (our) commitment to this journey that we are on. Not just until we reach a goal weight but for the rest of our lives.

current weight: 257.4

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SparkPoints: (15,960)
Fitness Minutes: (9,807)
Posts: 399
5/10/12 10:15 A

Thanks for the reminder ... life is so much more important than immediate gratification!

Sympathy for his family ....

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Posts: 13,271
5/10/12 9:35 A

so sad.

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Posts: 1,211
5/10/12 9:15 A

So sad, so young. It is things like this that really give you a 'slap in the face' reminder of why we began this journey.

Pounds lost: 54.0

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SparkPoints: (5,686)
Fitness Minutes: (8,219)
Posts: 394
5/10/12 9:10 A

I just heard this morning that someone I know (not well, but as acquaintances) died last night. He was in his early 50s and extremely overweight. He died of a sudden heart attack.

My first thought, of course, is for his family. He leaves a wife and four children; it's so tragic I don't even know what to say.

My second thought is...that could me be. Or could have been me. It reminds me how fragile this life is and how easy it is to lose it. It also strengthens my resolve to do what I need to do to improve my health. How many times have I said to myself as I put something fattening into my mouth, "Oh, well, even if I don't live to be 90, at least I'll be enjoying life while I'm here--eating good things and not killing myself on a treadmill. Who wants that?" Well, it turns out that I want that, if it means that I can avoid the tragedy that just befell this family.

So, so, so sad.

~Peri

Edited by: PERIWINKLE88 at: 5/10/2012 (09:10)

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