My father has always been self taught.  He had to leave school in 8th grade to help support his family.  His formal education has been very limited, yet he is one of the smartest people I know.  He reads, he researches everything, he is up on all the latest in finance, politics and most importantly health.  He is 81 years old and goes to the gym every single day.  At each point in his life he was faced with a health issue and medication, he hit the gym.  He improved his diet.  And each time he improved his condition to the point he no longer needed medication.  He has had diabetes, cancer, seizures, high blood pressure and struggled with his weight.  He takes control and fixes his health issues, he does not accept taking medication to fix it for him.  After turning 40 I gained weight and continued to gain weight.  I am now 50 and my blood pressure and sugar are both high.  I do not want to take medication.  I want to be like my dad.  I want to stop whining about it and do what I know is right.  This is my jumpstart.  I have been thinking and praying about how to make myself start.  This invitation came as an answer to prayer.  I wanted to write out my why so that when I feel like giving up I can look back and remember where I started and why.  Here I go...