Are you necessarily healthy when you’re fit? Sadly, I found out the answer is NO.
Yoga has reshaped me and given me fairly toned arms, a slim build, flat tummy and 6-pack abs. A regular, active gym routine plus yoga keeps me fit. But reality came crashing down on me when, 2 weeks ago, I suddenly had an attack of excruciating pain on the left side of my back. Tests confirmed that a kidney stone I had 2 years ago had grown to a 1 cm. stone that blocked my urether and was too large to pass out.
That pain caused me to be confined for 2 days as tests were run. I was discharged with oral medications for two weeks. The other day, further tests showed that there was no improvement in my condition and by this weekend, I am supposed to check back into the hospital so that I could undergo laser or blasting of the stones (yes, there is more than one) under general anesthesia.
What is the point?
Looking fit does not necessarily equate to being healthy. The effect of all those years of bad eating habits (junk food, salty foods, low water intake) have slowly been accumulating and my body is now telling me it is payback time.
We truly ARE WHAT WE EAT. If we do not watch our diets while we are younger, if we neglect our health (thinking as we recklessly do in our youth that our bodies can take whatever we do with it), then it is when we are older that we begin to reckon with the negligence of the past.
The U.S. government’s Dept. of Agriculture has come out with a revised food pyramid. While this had Americans in mind, I believe that in the absence of a similar food pyramid for Asians, we can use this and substitute recommended food items with what is locally available.
The USDA site also has a link to MyPyramid Tracker. The site describes it as “an online dietary and physical activity assessment tool that provides information on your diet quality, physical activity status, related nutrition messages, and links to nutrient and physical activity information.”
I have learned a painful lesson and am now continually reminding my kids, who tend to neglect their bodies, that the body does not forget and down the road, they will reap the effects of whatever they do to it now. In a sense, I am glad they saw me in a lot of pain from the kidney stones. It was a reality check for them to pay more attention to the health of their bodies.
Stay healthy!
Oh, I’m sorry to hear that! Must’ve have been some pain. I know the painful feeling too well. I was confined in hospital last week because of gastroenteritis and boy oh boy, it was ouchie! Now I’m feeling really guilty… ikaw nga sobrang fit and you still get sick, how much more me? Reality check sa akin ‘to!
Jane: I hope you’re better, May! It’s a reality check for me too! The condition of the body INSIDE is just as important, maybe even more important, than how it looks on the OUTSIDE. Keep healthy!
I hope you are feeling better now. With food, and as with everything else, moderation is key.
Jane: You’re so right, Angel. Thanks for visiting!
Hi Jane!! I hope you’re feeling a whole lot better now. My mom had kidney stones way back and I remember how hard it was for her.
Whoa! Did you say flat tummy and 6 pack abs? Let me put it nicely…I WANT THAT TOO!! Hehehe 🙂
Jane: Kongkong, when I am back on my feet, come with me and let’s do yoga and just have a fun lunch (or dinner) after.
It’s Yoga for us when you’re up and about! Will be praying for you Jane. And I’ll leave the book for you on Friday. God bless!
Jane: Cathy, you bet!!! I can just hug you for praying for me (and for giving me that book). Will text or email you my medical updates.
I hope everything goes well tomorrow, Jane. I’ll be praying with you.
Jane: Chats, I check in tomorrow afternoon but my actual procedure will be 9AM Saturday. I feel so warm inside with all your prayers.
I got here via Cookie’s ScroochChronicles.
I hope you’re feeling better! You’re right about that while one may be fit, one may not necessarily be healthy. Good insight there!
Jane: Hi Toni, thanks for the good wishes. Just came from your blog too! Got you now on my blogroll!
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