A reality of life is that we are carrying inheritable genes. There is a very good reason for doctors to ask about your family medical history! The odds of you being susceptible to the same conditions are very likely. My family has a history of heart problems, hypertension and the inevitable decline of cognitive ability commonly known as senility ( not Alzheimer’s ). As I hit my late 30’s, I was put on my first high blood pressure medication; by my forties I was on my second. Despite my love of greasy diner cheeseburgers and fries, my cholesterol hasn’t been horrible, but the doctors have certainly made mention of it on more than one occasion.
By the time I turned 50, I was on seven different prescriptions for various ailments. That’s rather young to have so many! My weight was the determining factor for most of those, but my inheritable genes contributed as well. I was doing a lot of reading then and I knew diet and exercise would be the key to getting off the prescriptions. Too bad I wasn’t willing to do the work whole-heartedly at the time, I might have saved thousands of dollars!
I was convinced that I would be on the hypertension medication for the rest of my life due to my family history. It was this very thing that caused the aneurysm that took my mother’s life, it was the thing that my father was constantly battling, and it was the thing each one of my brothers had been diagnosed with. My doctor informed me otherwise. He told me, that with hard work and a lifestyle change, I might get off the medication. Even then, I had my doubts. Then I was taken off one of the medications last week. It was liberating! I have new inspiration and motivation to get these last 40 lbs. off and shed the other medications as well! Imagine a world without all those pills every morning!
Now that I’m done patting myself on the back, let’s talk about how to get off medications.
First, understand that there some medications that you may not be able to stop taking. No amount of mindful eating, exercising or lifestyle changes will eliminate some conditions, like seizures or allergies, migraines, etc. It could be a genetic thing, or it could be due to damage already done. You will need to accept that.
- List your medications and do some research.
Figure out why you are on them. – you should know this already, but this ensures you are being treated for an ailment you need to be treated for. Doctors make mistakes too.
Look at the various things they are usually prescribed for – I am on a migraine medicine because I am a life long sufferer, as was my mother as is my son. I was surprised to find the medication I am on is often prescribed as a weight loss aide with paired with another medication. On its own its just for migraines.
Look at the side effects – it might surprise you. Weight gain, lethargy, dizziness… all things you may deal with on a daily basis and think it’s “normal”, never realizing your medications are the real culprit.
- Find out what you need to do.
Talk to your doctor and get their professional opinion on what you need to do to get yourself off of the medications
Discuss the medically acceptable levels of blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. so you have a clear understanding of your goal
Start researching foods and exercise that will help your journey
- Write down your plan
How are you going to do it. What changes will you make.
Get a journal, Food Diary, Family Support
- Be patient with yourself.
It has taken nearly a year for me to drop enough and make a big enough change to come off of one of my medications. Changes don’t always happen overnight and its easy to get discouraged. Keep your long-term goal visually posted on a wall or the mirror to remind you every day.
These are all good talking points as well for things that are not treated by medication but are surely inheritable or rather, they are a part of the family history. Alzheimer’s, arthritis, heart issues, diabetes…
Mindful eating, daily exercise…. LIFESTYLE CHANGES… you have the power to change the course you are on!
MY ADIPOSE & ME 
Leave a comment