Keith Ahrens

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and Heart Healthy New Years Wishes to Everyone.

The greatest gift I receive has no wrapping paper, no bow, no name tag and yet I’ll know it’s for me.

My gift is — Another Day.

Living with Heart Disease and getting a second chance means I take nothing for granted, ever.

The lights on the tree are brighter, each ornament is more special, the turkey smells better, the cold air feels fresher and the kids playing and running will sound like a symphony.

When I tell her I love her, she knows it’s forever.  What a year, What a life.

Treat Everyday As Christmas…  Everyday is a gift. – Keith

This Just In…. Team “Outrunning My Shadow” earns “Top Community Team” Award for 2nd year.

 Las Vegas Heart Walk 2011.

Great thanks to all that donated, walked, supported or had us in your thoughts.  

We walked for everyone:)  Heart Healthy Days Ahead for us all:) Keith

Whatever Your Reason, Whatever Your Motivation…. Get Involved
Remember, Your The Cure:)

If you ever get down or feel a little depressed just think about the joy, happiness and the light you shine upon the people you come into contact with.  Take those feelings and look in the mirror and turn it onto yourself.  I think when you put it into perspective, you’ll find yourself to be a pretty good person to know:) – Keith Ahrens

“Life Changes Forever, Everyday” – Keith

Everyday our words, thoughts, actions, and situations change and ultimately chart the path to the rest of our lives. 

Make “Everyday” the greatest day of your life. – Keith Ahrens

Less than 2 weeks left. October 15th is the big day in Las Vegas. Join me in fighting the #1 Killer of Americans. Your support and generous donation for ANY amount helps to fight this disease through research, education and awareness campaigns in your neighborhoods and States.

We are doing some great things this year.

Join my team, “Outrunning My Shadow” or donate to my page. If you’re unable to attend, I’ll walk for you and/or your loved one this year.

Thank you for all your help and continued support, Keith

A New Heart, A New Life, A New Love.  I got engaged Friday in Vail, Colorado at 11,000 feet.  It was a beautiful and picture perfect day.  We took the gondola to the top of the mountain and walked over to the Wedding Deck.  After waiting for the Wedding party that was up there to clear the deck, I could no longer stall.  We walked over hand in hand; I took a deep breath, dropped to one knee, presented her with the ring, and asked her to marry me.   She said – “Yes”.

I had a life where I thought no one could ever love me unconditionally and thinking that, in turn, I could not offer that love to someone else.  That all changed after I was reunited this year with Terri.  She had vacationed on a Windjammer Barefoot Cruise 22 years ago with 2 of my brothers, my sister-in-law, and one of my sisters.  Terri and my sister remained close friends and I first met her at my sisters wedding 12 years ago.  Although we don’t remember the encounter that well, we each remember my sister telling each of us for years after that we needed to meet each other and that we would be perfect with one another.  After talking for more than a year, we made arrangements for her to come to visit me in Las Vegas.

When Terri arrived to see me, I met her at the airport and it was love at first sight.  My world had changed the instant I saw her.  The rest is history and history in the making.

She has an incredible daughter who’s in Medical School to be a Doctor and a wonderful family. Our families have each taken us in as their own and the love and support from our dear friends has made this journey even more wonderful than we could ever have imagined.

The ring I had made for her has a center stone with 6 diamonds on each side.  Each side diamond represents each one of our brothers and sisters and each one of our mothers and fathers.  There is a diamond inside the band that is for her daughter who will always be closest to her heart.  The ring symbolizes our love for each other and our desire never to be far from our families.

I tell people everyday as I speak about health and lifestyle change that “Anything is Possible”.  Those words have never been more meaningful. – Keith

What’s your favorite dark chocolate? Dark Chocolate’s been seen as a much “Heart Healthier” choice than light or milk chocolates.  I love dark chocolates. I’m hoping in my travels I’ll get my chance to try different dark chocolates from around the world.

Why Heart Healthy? Dark chocolate contains flavonoids. What are Flavonoids? Flavonoids by definition help protect plants by shielding and masking them from environmental toxins and helping repair damage. When we consume plant-based foods rich in flavonoids, it appears that we also benefit from this “antioxidant” power.  We’ve all heard the word Antioxidant.  It seems it’s become a buzzword for heart healthy eating.  Antioxidants seem to help the body’s cells resist damage caused by free radicals that are formed by normal bodily processes such as breathing and from environmental contaminants like cigarette smoke. I hate smoking and second hand smoke! When the body lacks adequate levels of antioxidants, damage from free radicals occurs and leads to increases in LDL (“bad)-cholesterol oxidation (oxidized LDL-cholesterol hurts the arteries) and plaque formation on the walls of the arteries.

Now, before we all go out and substitute a big dark chocolate candy bar for fresh broccoli, remember that “Moderation” is the key.  Small amounts, a square if you will, should do the trick. Dark chocolate tends to be high in calories.

I’m still waiting for the fat free, calorie free dark chocolate bar:) – Keith

The National Multiple Sclerosis, Society Colorado / Wyoming Chapter, held their Annual Walk for MS at the Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado.

Walkers chose an amazing 2, 5 or 10-mile hike through this breathtaking ski resort.

I was inspired by several MS survivors who in spite of the physical challenges that MS has bought upon them, hiked a rocky, sloping, wooded path that challenged even the fittest walkers.

Roughly 300 walkers dawned their walking shoes and hiking sticks to take on this amazing walk.

I was so happy that I participated with Team “Infusiasts” (get it: Infusion:)) from Neurological Consultants based here in Denver.  Several of the office staff, friends, family and one of the Doctors proudly formed this team and walked for this great cause.

I send a special “Thank You” to Suzanne Hakar for the invite.  I must say the beauty of the walk was far beyond my expectations.  Copper Mountain is about 75 miles east of Denver.

Get involved; Make a difference in someone else’s life and you may touch your own at the same time. – Keith

I submitted this to the Denver Post as a “Letter to the Editor”.

Recently, a study ranked Colorado as the least obese state with 19.8{1ee8873d3da54571ef77633feec9b2f18618b0dba2f28faf42edb28003d1c6f7} of adults considered obese.

Don’t celebrate just yet.

Just 16 years ago a rate of 19.8{1ee8873d3da54571ef77633feec9b2f18618b0dba2f28faf42edb28003d1c6f7} would have ranked Colorado as the worst or most obese state.  With Colorado’s childhood obesity rate at 14.2{1ee8873d3da54571ef77633feec9b2f18618b0dba2f28faf42edb28003d1c6f7}, and growing there are 22 states with lower childhood obesity rates.

These disturbing trends leave no room for misdirection or inaction to promote awareness, prevention and education initiatives and programs.

Obesity is directly linked to Heart Disease, our nations #1 killer.  The financial impact on our health care system is overwhelming and unsustainable.

Preventative health care and education must be accessible and promoted to everyone.  Supporting physical education and healthier nutrition in our schools is essential as well as parental education.

Personal responsibility is the cornerstone to lifestyle change.  Coloradans deserve a healthier future.  Together, we can reverse the trend.  – Keith