Eight Months Later....

Hello, my name is Kimberly, and I am a heart attack survivor and a member of the Zipper Club... the zipper club? Well being a member of the Zipper Club means that you have survived open heart surgery. I did, little over eight months ago following my fourth heart attack within a year. I'm also a diabetic, insulin dependent, my thyroid doesn't work, I have asthma, and manage bipolar disorder on a daily basis. That is my life in a nutshell... oh yeah, I'm also a recovering alcoholic. So why this blog? 

Why? This was me, eight months ago. I was barely 44 years old and had survived double bypass surgery. Yes 44.... I already had five stents put in and my heart just wasn't cooperating. I'm going to be honest, brutally honest here... my addiction to sugar and carbohydrates were literally killing me. Now, eight months later I am starting over. I've got the all clear from my cardiologist to hit the gym as well as ride my bike. I'm almost 70 lbs overweight, and I'm still battling my addiction to sugar and carbs. I do not want to go back to where I was eight months ago, and if I continue down the road I'm going, that is exactly where I'll be. Or worse, dead.

In an effort to get myself on track I am starting Friday, March 24th, sugar free. That means no refined white sugar, no artificial sweeteners, no diet soda or flavored waters, no bread, no pasta. For my dear friends and loved ones, I apologize in advance if I'm crabby or downright Broadzilla. Sugar withdrawals are not going to be pretty. I've also started on an exercise regimen. Cardio every day, weights and resistance every other day. I started that today. I took a 10 block bike ride then this evening I spent half an hour on upper body weights at the gym. 

Here I am... wired for sound, and taking a selfie on the chest press machine.

I am so ready to get this new chapter of my life in gear. The past eight months for me have been a roller coaster, physically, emotionally and spiritually. So throw on your trainers and yoga pants and join me at the gym, put on your apron and hang with me in the kitchen as I learn how to prepare healthy and delicious meals, and leave feedback. I have many cheerleaders for this journey, for that I am very thankful. G'night all... see ya on the flip side.