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| The sun is rising...and so is this blog |
My initial vision for this blog was to write about health and do it with my Pinay (Tagalog for Filipino female) sisters in mind. Health and women's issues have always been an important topic for me. When I was still reporting full time, I gravitated towards stories about health and wellness in the Filipino community. Maybe it's because -- out of all the Asian subgroups -- Filipinos appear at the top of the list when it comes to the incidence rate for many major illnesses, including heart disease1 and cancer 2. I think it's important to share information about these issues, because in many instances, knowledge can be the key to preventing and combating disease.
Heart disease, diabetes and obesity have struck members of my family and extended relatives, as well. What's saddening is that so many of these conditions are preventable. I'm not saying I haven't had my own health struggles, but I decided to really change my lifestyle the year I turned 27. Why? Basically, my doctor said my cholesterol level was starting to concern her. The first time she mentioned it, I was shocked. "But I'm only in my 20s! How can I have cholesterol problems already?" I wondered to myself. Seeing my blood work and my lipid panel (which is an analysis of the fats in your blood) shook me into action. I changed my diet and started exercising more. Fell off the wagon about a dozen times, but I kept going.
Today, I feel healthier than I did in my 20s. I've had some challenges along the way. Damn you chocolate: why do you have to taste so good?!? Overall, though, I've been able to maintain my weight and continue to exercise regularly. Do I stumble when I see a piece of red velvet cheesecake? Yes, and I will continue to stumble every once in a while. It's called being human, but it doesn't mean you have to give up, right? Right.
Meanwhile, I discovered I love running earlier this year. And, next month, I will run my first half-marathon in San Francisco. I've been training since February and it's been hard at times, but I feel optimistic about the race. What motivates me even more is that we're running for the charity, Team Parkinson; my mother was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2012. I will be running the half with my wonderful sister, Joy. What's even more exciting is that my other siblings and even my parents will participate in the SF Marathon's 5K event.
This race has been a life-changer for me, because it's taught me discipline and perseverance. As many charity runners can attest, it really does make a difference in your training when you run for someone you love and a cause you believe in. Who knows: maybe I'll run my first marathon in a year. Until then, I look forward to setting higher goals for myself. Wanna join me? ;)
Footnotes:
1. Although the prevalence of obesity is low within the Asian adult population, Filipino adults (14%) were more than twice as likely to be obese (BMI≥30 kg/m2) as Asian Indian (6%), Vietnamese (5%), or Chinese (4%) adults. Filipino (27%) and Japanese (25%) adults were more likely than Chinese (17%) or Korean (17%) adults to have ever been told that they had hypertension.
To see the rest of the AHA report, click here.
Source: Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, American Heart Association - 2013 Update
2. Filipino American women, including the elderly, have the second highest incidence and the highest mortality rate for breast cancer compared with other Asian American ethnic groups. Filipino American men, including the elderly, have the highest incidence and death rate from prostate cancer among Asian American groups. Filipinos also have the second highest incidence and the highest mortality rate from lung cancer among Asian American groups.
Source: Stanford School of Medicine, Culture-Specific Health Risk
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