Hi MaryL. I think the amount of stress we have all been under the past couple of years, regardless of political affiliations, has had its effect on us all. Yes, it is scary. I try not to get political or religious on the board so as not to cause any conflict or offend anyone so that's all I'll say about that.

Somehow we have to separate these areas of our lives so we do not allow outside stress to influence our health and choices. Easier said than done, I know. But you can think of it this way. Being in the best possible health will make us better able to handle and respond when necessary to whatever is coming our way. I remember watching the twin towers disaster on TV. I remember thinking that had I been there weighing over 300 lbs... I would have had to just sit down and wait to die. I had no ability to run, much less down a flight of stairs. I would not have been able to save myself. I was overcome with the realization of what my choices could have cost me. Sure...I was obese and diabetic and disabled with bone on bone arthritis and heart disease, but I had not accepted responsibility for any of that. I was blaming bad genes and searching for medications to fix me. I had my slap in the face reality check watching that horror on TV. The thought that anyone else would risk their life to try and save me made it even worse. I finally understood the importance of taking responsibility for my health, and not just for the frivolous reasons of getting to a smaller size. We have to do our best to be independently healthy in this unpredictable world.

So do your best to put yourself first. It's important.