Uncle died from weight related problem, huge wakeup call!!!!

Hey everyone.

So, recently I had my uncle Joey die...he went in to have surgery on his neck, I'm not sure exactly what it was they were trying to fix, but he was recovering pretty well...and he just died of a heart attack.

He was 45 years old, and while they're unsure what caused it. he's been atleast 500 pounds most of his life. Tried every diet under the sun. Even had lyposuction once and gained it all back within a year. He had to have a hip replaced because of the strain of all the extra weight....

Aside from that, he was great. He's the reason I have the name Sara, my parents wanted to name me Jessica, and he said I was too much of a princess to have a name alot of girls he knew had...so he found the one name that actually means princess...lol

He was my father's younger brother, and almost every person on my fathers side are pushing into the severly obese catagory. Don't get me wrong, I love my family alot...weight has never played a part in my love for them..but with the sudden death of my uncle I just feel like I've got a genetic bullet pointed at me if I don't do something now.....

Since I found out a few days ago that he died I have had no desire for food at all. I look at it and all I can think was that food is what took him from me so young, and how unfair it is....I wish I could be comfortable with food.....

Sara

It must be a very difficult time for you, losing your uncle like that.  The surgery on his neck will have been to unblock arteries, most likely.  But do understand that it wasn't food or genetics that killed your uncle but a combination of factors... many of which he could have influenced and some of which he may have had no say over.  You're very lucky because you've got the opportunity to make a better life and not make the same mistakes.  You don't have to go down the same route now that you can see where it leads.... there's always a choice.

I'm so sorry for your loss...that totally stinks! Right now, it's a pretty lousy thing and in time, you'll start to get back into the swing of things. Your Uncle Joey wouldn't want you to end up like him. He would probably want you to be the healthiest person you can be so take this as a chance to better yourself. You were a princess to him and he wouldn't want you to look at food as the enemy and develop an eating disorder yourself. Again, I'm very sorry that your Uncle Joey passed on. Stay strong!

I know how you feel about families that are overweight.  My dad's side is like that and it's really hard sometimes because you know they aren't healthy and it's dangerous.  I'm sorry for your loss of an uncle but I know he won't be forgotten by you or your family.  Maybe his death really is a wake-up call for some people in your family, who will try to make a lifestyle change to save themselves. 

Thanks for taking the time to write :)

kizzichan...it's so hard isn't it? I love my family, but sometimes I just want to shake them.

As far as my uncle...I think deep down I know it wasn't just food that killed him, but at the same time, I'm really angry that he didn't care enough about his family to stop eating little debbies like there's no tomorrow.

I know thats not fair, but thats the point I am at...just really angry at him....and that makes me feel like the biggest jerk!

Sara