Everybody's got something.  Each of us has our own personal challenges to overcome.  No one is perfect and no one has it easy.

One of my challenges is renal disease.  I was diagnosed with kidney disease about fifteen years ago and have less than half my kidney function.  My doctor assures me that one can live long and prosper off of less than that, but he also encourages me to do everything possible to preserve the healthy tissue that's left.

When I was diagnosed, I was a smoker who ate a lot of junk food, fast food, processed meats, processed sugars, and really didn't think about my health very much.  Back then I was so overwhelmed with my emotional issues that my physical health was not on my mind whatsoever.  My approach to the disease back then was to figure out what the right medicine was and get on with it.

I was never a person to just make up my mind about improving some aspect of my life and then doing it.  It has always taken me forever.  I must have tried to quit smoking a hundred times before I did it.  I resisted, I lived in denial, I gave up, then I tried again.  With exercise I started and stopped.  Started again and stopped.  And nutrition is the same way.  I will never be a person who can wake up one morning and declare to the world that I will eat only healthy foods henceforth.  Never gonna happen.  I am rebellious and resistant so it takes me a very long time.  But I am willing to add things to my life incrementally.

So instead of adopting the "kidney diet" in 1997, I added some fruits and veggies.  In 1998 I started to walk at Highbanks.  In 1999 I finally quit smoking.  In 2000 I added running 5K's.  In 2001 I learned about heart rate monitoring and finished a marathon.  In 2002 I went to Red Mountain and I started working with Jud, my personal trainer.  2003 was the year I really lost some weight and made some changes.  You get the message.  It didn't happen overnight.  I know, I'm slow.

Here's my point.  You don't have to make changes all at once.  They add up!  One day after another.  Week after week, year after year.  They really add up.  The problem is if we get so focused on the fact that we're not doing it ALL RIGHT NOW (and if we misinterpret that as failing), that can keep us from progressing.  We get stuck.  Do something this week for your health that you are proud of and focus on that.  Commit to it!  Then keep that up and do something else next week.

I didn't make all the right changes the moment I was diagnosed.  It took me years to really understand my disease and get educated on what foods are best.  It's still confusing sometimes but I keep pressing on.  And you know what?  My tentative, slow efforts actually paid off in a major way.  I not only lost 45 pounds and joined the world of non-smokers, but my kidney numbers improved which is not something that my doctor generally sees.

What you eat and drink really matters.  Moving your body every day really matters.  It makes a difference.  Eating lots of vegetables is life changing.  But what matters more than anything is never giving up.  Don't give in to momentary gratification if it is going to make you compromise your long term health and happiness.  It's not worth it.  There is incredible joy that comes with taking care of yourself and overcoming your personal challenges.

A friend of mine asked me yesterday why I am smiling all the time.  It's because I am happy.  I want that for each of you.  It is my mission in life to encourage you.  So step in, press in, jump in at whatever speed is comfortable to you.  I want you to know you have a cheerleader who will be on your side no matter what.  Because I understand where you are.  Is it scary?  Sure.  Is there anything that's really worth doing that isn't scary?  Not that I know of.  Do it anyway.

Now get moving!