Newsroom Notes: Family spurs goal of improving health in 2004

Maria Hoover is Inside Business Editor with Springfield Business Journal.

In a recent column, I promised an update on a specific goal (I choose not to call it a resolution) I've set for myself in 2004.

Ah, 2004. Not a year I've looked forward to, given that this is the year that I will celebrate (or at least, observe) my 30th birthday. I'll also celebrate my 10th wedding anniversary this year. I'll be busy not only at work, but also at home, being mom to my three terrific kids: Brandon, Connor and Kaitlyn. I mention my family, because it is the primary reason for this year's goal: I will improve my health in 2004.

Late last year, after dropping some serious cash at the pharmacy for medications that help my body to address blood pressure and blood sugar issues and with the knowledge that the big three-oh is headed my way, it occurred to me that it is past time for me to get serious about my health.

I realize that there are some medical conditions that cannot be helped, but that is not the case for me. I am overweight actually, obese. I have been told for at least a couple of years, that if I can take the weight off, then I should be able to ditch the pills. I have been told I am not diabetic yet.

I finally understand that I have a choice: I can keep on as I have been and possibly get pretty sick, or I can do something now to change. What was I waiting for?

Dieting is not my favorite thing, but it won't kill me. Another thing that I get is that dieting alone is not enough. Hence, I have done something that I never thought I would: I joined an exercise program. It's designed just for women, it's quick and it's easy. And two months later, I'm still loving it. Two months isn't terribly long, but by comparison, my previous do-it-yourself exercise antics usually lasted a couple weeks. Thus far I've shed two pounds of body fat and a combined total of 3 1/2 inches. I've signed a contract with the program that will take me to the end of December, and one month past my 30th birthday. For the first time in a very long time, I'm optimistic that I'm going to reach this goal of better health. (The weight loss will be great, but this time around, it's simply the means of reaching my bigger-picture goal).

Is fish next?

It's no surprise, noting my aforementioned goal, that I love to eat. However, I have a general rule that except for tuna fish and fish sticks (a la Long John Silvers, etc.), I don't eat things of the sea. In 2003, because I lost a football bet when my favorite team, the Green Bay Packers, lost a game that I was sure they would win, I did eat sushi. But it's not my favorite thing.

However, in light of recent news events, I'm beginning to wonder whether I'll have to retrain my palate to find seafood acceptable. First, there was the news about more mad cow disease affecting the bovine population, which was followed by news of the bird flu. I read online that protein sources in countries including Vietnam were impacted by the bans and restrictions on chicken, which were instituted to halt the spread of this disease, which has killed several people in other parts of the world.

Thus far, I've not heard of any occurrences of mad cow or bird flu close to home, but I won't rule out that it could happen.

What will we do if fish develop some horrible disease? I wonder what it would be called? Something like Trout Turbulence might be a bad one here, what with all the trout fishing that goes on in southwest Missouri.

In any case, I'll be watching the news. Or maybe I shouldn't I bet if I knew what was in half the stuff I eat, I'd reach my goal in no time!

Little girl lost

Also in the news has been the heartbreaking story of Florida's 11-year-old Carlie Brucia, who took a shortcut behind a car wash and was missing for five days before her body was found near a church not far from the car wash. There's a suspect in custody, thanks in large part to the car wash's security cameras, which captured images of a man in a mechanic's shirt approaching the girl and then, seemingly, leading her away.

The mom in me held out hope that Carlie would be found. I can't imagine the anguish of not knowing where my child is, much less dealing with the outcome for this little girl, who by all accounts I have seen was a delightful little person. I don't know if law enforcement officers will ever be able to prove what happened between the moments captured on the camera and the end of Carlie's young life, but I hope they can.

And I hope people will finally, finally understand that unspeakable things can happen anywhere, and in any neighborhood. With this case, as with many others, inevitably there is someone who's interviewed for the news who just can't believe this would happen in their neighborhood. But it does. People need to be aware of it. Just pretending an area is safe doesn't make it so.

The morning the Florida law enforcement officers held a news conference announcing Carlie's body had been found, we were watching a news program with our boys, who are 6 and 7. We let them watch, and when they asked why people were upset, we told them. It was a sad lesson before heading out for our usual weekday of work and school. But it's a lesson that needs to be told again and again to every child by every parent, so that more children are able to grow up safe and happy, and fewer families are left to say goodbye too soon.