A Choice To Be Made

By Todd Wandling

Ten years ago, when I was in my late 30s, I was overweight and in poor health. After some nudging from my wife to go see the doctor, I decided to schedule a wellness exam.

Two weeks after my check-up, the nurse called me from the doctor’s office with the test results. She asked me if I was sitting down. I knew from the sound in her voice that the news would not be good. She told me that my cholesterol count was at 400 and that I was overweight. This was a wake up call for me. I had to make a lifestyle change for myself and my family.

The doctor put me on a “no red meat” diet and instructed me to exercise. I began to eat more fruits and vegetables and drink water instead of soda or coffee. I also started a workout program. Initially, I only walked eight blocks five days a week. Then, I increased it to walking a mile. In time, I was able to jog a whole mile. This change in fitness motivated me to set an even larger goal: to run the Houston Marathon.

Two months after I received the phone call from the nurse, I returned to the doctor’s office for a check-up. My weight was in the normal range, and my cholesterol had reduced significantly by approximately 200 points. This change motivated me even more to continue to eat healthy and to keep training for the marathon. Three months before the race, I went in for my six-month check-up, and both my cholesterol and weight were normal.

On January 12, 2001, I ran my first Houston Marathon, but this would not be my last. I ventured outside of the Houston area and ran other marathons in Austin, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Wichita, and New Orleans. I even ran a marathon for “Team In Training” to raise money and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I also joined a running group, SL Finish Line Sports, to help me improve my speed and agility and to hold me accountable for achieving my health goals. On January 17, 2010, I ran my 10th Houston Marathon. It was my 20th marathon overall.

This year’s run marked 10 years since the day I made my life choice. I have maintained an average weight, and have kept my cholesterol numbers in the healthy range. I continue to eat healthier and run frequently and take a liquid nutritional supplement called Vemma. I also enjoy wonderful support from my wife and two children.

There comes a point in time in everyone’s life when you must decide to make a healthy change. When this time comes, my advice to you is to pick an active exercise that you enjoy doing. Take baby steps so you can reach your goals. Have a support system in place to keep you accountable, and enjoy life, for it is the journey not the destination that counts.

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