This month, I’m happy to let my friend Dee Rincon take the space usually reserved for my publisher’s letter.  Dee has a story and message she feels strongly about, and I am so pleased to be able to give her the opportunity to share it.    Ana

Reclaim Your Life This Mother’s Day: Make Yourself a Priority

Has your mantra ever been, “Even if it kills me, please give me another cookie?” Have you ever said, “Tomorrow I will start exercising and losing weight?” Those were my mantras — until one dayI felt tired, faint, shaky . . . and scared.Warning!  When my doctor told me I was pre-diabetic, I realized it was time to put the cookies away.  Diabetes is a serious disease affecting the blood vessels, eyesight, heart, pancreas, and liver. Diabetics usually have to take daily medication or insulin injections for the rest of their lives. At the same time that I received that sobering diagnosis from my doctor, a painful knee injury had already disrupted my life. I worried that I would wind up a future burden to my family.

I had struggled for 20 years to lose weight, to exercise, and to bring down my cholesterol levels.  The knee injury and pre-diabetes diagnosis served as catalysts to action: I resolved to lose weight and exercise.  But no one needs to wait for an injury or an illness to make lifestyle changes. 

This Mother’s Day, you can turn your life around! Many moms take care of everyone else and put themselves last.  This time, put yourself first. Your health is the most important thing in your life, and your life cannot be joyous without good health.  Even if you have struggled for years to lose weight and exercise,like I did, there is hope.

Two years ago, I reclaimed my life and made a commitment to lose weight and exercise.  Since then I have lost nearly 40 pounds, lowered my cholesterol level by 73 points, and I am no longer pre-diabetic. For me, the answer was not giving up hope, and going to the Wellness Center of Northwest Jersey. A dear friend of mine had achieved wonderful results there, so I joined as well. I now have a personal trainer, consult with a registered dietitian, and have lots of fun exercising with Zumba. 

My battle to lose weight was not without challenges — there were times I wanted to give up.  But Lori Lee, director of the Wellness Center of Northwest Jersey, gave me hope to stick with my commitment. And now two years later, I’m a healthier and happier person!  The key is to make a commitment, to lose weight slowly, and to keep moving. Take baby steps and make sure you celebrate your accomplishments rather than concentrating on your failures.  I feel amazing — and you can, too!

Dee Rincon of Randolph, a former Weight Watchers leader, is a Toastmaster, ATB, motivational speaker, author, and parenting and bereavement facilitator. My thanks to Dee for sharing her journey to good health — I hope it inspires the nurturers among us, our mothers, to nurture themselves this Mother’s Day!