Keith Ahrens

When I turned 50, I was wearing size 62+ pants (they were tight), 5XL shirts. I weighed 450+, that was the MAX weight on my scale. At 51 I have now gone BELOW 400 lbs. I have lost 85 lbs I am wearing 56, 3XL in shirts (I can shop at Walmart for clothes again).

I am 51 years old, Last year I hit my all time high in weight gain. 480+. I say 480+; my scale does not go past 450. I could not walk more than 10 or 15 yards without wheezing for breath. I could not stand for an extended time. I could not keep up with my grandson. I did not want to go anywhere; I would scope out restaurants and make sure they had ARMLESS chairs. After trying many diets, Apple, WW, Atkins, etc….and changed my life habits and eating habits. I also lost my job, which was a blessing in itself. I used to eat fast food 3 times a day. My job was sedentary, very little walking needed, lots of hours, and lots of stress. Death by Obesity in the making.

My weight loss has been thru life style changes and eating choices. I have also used a product line by Advocare. Which helped with energy, weight loss, and appetite control. I am amazed having lost 85 lbs, how much different I feel, and the things that I could NOT do, that I am able to do now. I am by NO MEANS healthy, but I am able to exercise with out loosing breath, or stopping as I did in the past.

Three tips for success…You have to have a desire to lose, you HAVE to change the habits that got you into your current weight. You need to reach out for support, being obese is a very lonely life.

My motivation comes from inside me. I am inspired by others peoples successes, Keith Ahrens book was like reading my life in print…except I have not had a heart attack, YET…. I am still in danger, but I am working my way to healthy living. I have a loving wife that is dealing with weight issues as well; I now have 4 grandchildren that need their grandpa. And I have 2 special needs children that need me to be there for them as well.

With the loss of 85 lbs, I feel more energy, I feel that I can succeed and continue to lose. I want to be able to inspire others that are struggling with obesity to lose weight and lead a healthy life style.

I went in for a biopsy on my bladder on November 24.

A couple months prior, a lighted scope was done on my bladder and it showed an area that the doctor said needed to be biopsied. The biopsy had to be completed in a hospital.

When the doctor said that I needed a biopsy during this procedure I had a flashback to when the surgeon told me I needed open-heart surgery to save my life.

While lying there, I kind of had an anxiety attack as far as softly shaking and just feeling all-alone.  I’m OK today and have a positive attitude. I’m not sure where I’m getting the positive attitude from but I know it’s deep. I’ve been through a lot the past few years.

Very briefly, almost 2 years ago this Thanksgiving I was in San Francisco writing my book and had blood in my urine… I freaked out, flew the next plane back to Vegas to see my doctor and was OK.  Later it was determined (Cat Scan) I had a Kidney Stone but it was not blocking anything.

I had approx 10-12 occurrences of blood in my urine since then, mostly after a treadmill or heavy workout.  In June, I went to the ER for kidney pain.  A severe Kidney infection was diagnosed and treated.

To be on the safe side, my primary doctor sent me to an urologist who ran some tests.  All came back negative except for that Kidney Stone which was still there.  He didn’t want to stop there. I actually praise this doctor because he just wanted to rule everything out except for the kidney stone.  He wanted to be thorough and a scope was done on my bladder a few weeks later.  That was an experience in and of it self.  When he went in to look at my bladder, the doctor saw something on the monitor and immediately said that was where the bleeding was coming from and it needed to be biopsied and removed.  He, and I, saw the problem area on the monitor.  He made me look.

I just couldn’t figure out, why me… again? First my heart and now I had to think about the “C” word. Could I have bladder cancer? Perhaps I could handle it better than someone else. I’m thankful, however, that it was I, and none of my family or friends going through this.

I met with the surgeon today and the pathology reports came back negative.  I don’t have cancer.  I was diagnosed with cystitis glandularis.  I’ll be doing my research but this is great news compared to what I expected to hear.

My message today is to get regular checkups, don’t ignore your body when it’s trying to tell you something, eat heart healthy and get regular exercise and activity.

Healthy days ahead for us all, Keith

Thanksgiving’s a day to give thanks.

I give thanks for my continued health and that of my family and friends.

I’m thankful for having the most supportive family anyone could ever ask for.

I’m thankful for the paths I’ve traveled and the people I’ve met this year that have enriched my life.  I’ve met some very strong people.

I give thanks to the troops and veterans who serve and served unconditionally and without reservation.

I give thanks that I am who I am and I can be what I want to be.

I’m thankful for knowing that I have the strength to handle whatever challenges lie ahead.

I hope you each enjoy a day of reflection, health, and love with many more to come. – Keith

Are you feeling a little stressed?

Are the upcoming holidays, family worries, or work piling up on with other obligations?

Managing and controlling stress is an important element in our overall health.

There’re many tips to relieve stress but, in my opinion, the top two are getting regular physical exercise and eating heart healthy.

Get up and take a walk. Climb some stairs. Take some deep breaths. Meditate for a few minutes. Add an extra serving of fruit and veggies to your plate. Eat several small meals instead of 3 large meals.

Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and drinking enough water to stay hydrated during the holidays.

When we don’t get enough sleep our bodies crave for more energy. Energy comes from the calories we consume. We fuel that energy by eating more when we’re stressed, tired or dehydrated. – Keith

I’ll be presenting and sharing my journey to the Las Vegas Chapter of Mended Hearts. This presentation will be at Desert Springs Hospital in Las Vegas on Saturday, November 20, 2010.

I’m looking forward to presenting to other survivors and their families about healthy lifestyle changes while living with and surviving cardiovascular disease.

Mended Hearts has been offering the gift of hope to heart disease patients, their families and caregivers for 60 years. Recognized for its role in facilitating a positive patient-care experience, Mended Hearts partners with 460 hospitals and rehabilitation clinics and offers services to heart patients through visiting programs, support group meetings and educational forums. Our mission is to “inspire hope in heart disease patients and their families.” From MendedHearts.org

For more information on Mended Hearts, visit MendedHearts.org

“Remember the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray? Each day he woke up and the day repeated itself.

He was given the opportunity to change anything he wanted–for better or for worse. We’re given the same opportunity.

Yesterday’s gone.

Today we can make a positive impact in our lives or someone else’s life regardless of what we did yesterday.

When your alarm clock goes off tomorrow, make it your day!

Consider each day ahead a gift waiting to be unwrapped.” – Keith

HI…. My name is Amanda. I’m 30 years old and my success is surviving multiple heart conditions and many heart surgeries:( But I am here to tell u about it all:)

The factors that led me to change my life…. I have to keep myself heart healthy for my kids and my hubby…. It’s hard but I manage and I most of all do it for me:). It was either change how I live or die…not a hard decision. I suffer a lot and need to stay healthy:)

The journey has been a long one, almost 8 years of suffering and surgery after surgery. I started with A-fib at 23 when I was pregnant with my daughter and since than I have had A-flutter, A-Tachycardia, and scar tissue on my heart, Atrial myopathy and a pacemaker. I now suffer from congestive heart failure on top of everything else…WOW!!!!! I have had 6 Ablations, 3 cardio-versions and recently an open-heart surgery (Thoracotomy) to put my pacemaker. I deal with anxiety and post Thoracotomy syndrome, very painful and I have tachycardia arrhythmias daily.  Still keeping my head up though…. It could always be worse!!!!

All in all I think of my hubby and kids, the most important people in my life and I stay positive. Heart disease is very hard to deal with, but I have an amazing support system…. Including u Keith:). Before every surgery I put it in my head that when I came out I would laugh instead of cry and I do that every time I wanna cry…. trust me it works:)

3 tips for success…

#1. Positivity

#2. Put yourself before everyone else, U are the most important person in the world.

#3. When you have heart disease, take it seriously. Eat right, stay active and DO NOT smoke or do anything to hurt your body. You only have one body…take care of it.

My family inspires me everyday. My hubby keeps me smiling and happy, so most of the time I don’t feel like I’m sick at all.

There are amazing people like Keith Ahrens that Inspire me with positivity…. Thank you Keith:)

My kids motivate me to stay healthy, happy and positive. I want to see them grow up, that’s enough motivation:)

I am still suffering a lot, but I’m Happy and I have so much to live for, I will stick to my diet and do everything I can to be heart healthy so I can be around for a long, long time:)

I will keep moving in the right direction and I will always stay positive and keep my head up. I have more surgeries ahead of me and a lifetime of heart disease, but for now, I AM HAPPY and Thankful for all the blessings in my life.

If you have heart disease, stay positive and keep smiling. You can live your life and still stay heart healthy. Keep your head up, U are the most important person in the world, so love yourself and just believe that you will be just fine:) Give or take a few speed bumps in the road:)