If I were a man . . .

1. I would watch my wife eat like a bird, work out every day and not lose a pound while I drop 10 pounds just thinking about it!
2. I would enjoy the distinguished look gray hair gives me while watching my wife furiously color over hers every 6 weeks.
3. I could get ready to go in 10 minutes – no shaving legs, plucking eyebrows, curling hair, applying make-up – I wouldn’t have to make sure all the lights were shut off, baby bag packed, doors locked – I could just go wait in the car and honk.
4. I would enjoy the convenience and efficiency of standing up while I pee. (Sorry, Mom, I know I shouldn’t say “pee” in public.)
5. I could sit back and marvel at how my wife multi-tasks – phone in one hand setting up the next PTA meeting, holding the baby with the other and picking up his pacifier with her toes while watching the boiling pasta on the stove – “don’t forget the clothes in the dryer and the bills that need paid tomorrow, Honey!” I thoughtfully remind her, “And while you’re at it, could you pick up a birthday card for my mom?”
6. I could buy my wife a new golf bag for her birthday and when she didn’t use it (because I guess she neither wanted it or needed it – go figure) I could put my clubs in it so it didn’t go to waste. She’ll be happy about that.
7. I would enjoy the peacefulness of driving around leisurely without enduring the stress of stopping and bothering someone for directions.
8. I could announce “I cooked dinner” because I stood watch over the grill and made the executive decision when to take off the meat and hand it to my wife to be cut up. Sure -- my wife bought the groceries, set the table, made numerous side dishes, seasoned the meat and cleaned up everything afterwards, but I cooked dinner!

Of course these are quite possibly fictitious examples. ;-) Possibly – except for #1. During the BetterU program, my husband has lost over 20 pounds!! (Way to go, Honey!) But it’s so unfair! Men have all the advantages and yet . . . I wouldn’t trade being a woman for all of them!

Being a woman is pretty cool – except for the part about Heart Disease claiming so many of us. But unlike so many of the things we can’t change about being a woman (and wouldn’t want to), we CAN lessen the risk Heart Disease holds for us.

I’ve been on many other plans before, but what has made the BetterU program so effective for me is I’ve been educated to REALLY understand how I directly impact my health with my choices. I’ve learned first hand from the American Heart Association and the Alegent professionals the effects of bad choices on people and their quality of life. Our culture causes us to measure health by looking on the outside of a person – we can tell some things about our health by looking in a mirror – but it’s the ones we can’t see that scare me the most.

There is a lot in this world we can’t control, but there is a lot we can, so let’s do it!! “I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar” as singer Helen Reddy put it (ok, I’ve likely just lost the under 40 crowd!) And while you’re getting ready to master your health and conquer the world, go give that man of yours a hug; after all, he probably just “cooked” dinner!