Walter Says: “Health Ain’t Just Luck”
“Always go with your passions. Never ask yourself if it’s realistic or not.” ——- Deepak Chopra
They say health is wealth. Well, for most of my life, I was broke in both.
I used to think health was something you either had or didn’t—like good hair or a lucky lottery ticket. If your daddy had high blood pressure, you’d probably get it. If your mama had diabetes, you might as well stock up on test strips.
But now that I’m paying attention—really paying attention—I can tell you this: health ain’t just luck. It’s a series of choices, habits, and attitudes that stack up every single day.
That’s what I’m learning. And it’s changing everything.
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What I Know Now
So let me share what’s working for me—what’s helping me stay out of the ER and get back to chasing my grandkids across the yard.
🥗 Food First
I stopped treating vegetables like decorations and started making them the main event. I eat real food now—beans, leafy greens, eggs, chicken, sweet potatoes, apples, oats. I try to eat what my great-grandmother would recognize.
I’ve cut way back on sugar. I used to drink two sodas a day—maybe three if I was “tired.” Now I drink water. And guess what? I’m still tired sometimes, but I’m less foggy. I don’t crash as hard. And the scale is finally moving in the right direction.
🚶♂️ Daily Movement
I walk every day—even if it’s just 15 minutes around the block. I stretch while I watch the news. I lift light weights twice a week, and by “weights,” I mean the laundry detergent bottles until I buy something fancier.
It ain’t about being ripped. It’s about being able to bend, reach, stand up without groaning, and feel alive again.
😴 Sleep Is Not Lazy
I used to wear exhaustion like a badge of honor. “Didn’t sleep a wink last night,” I’d say proudly.
Now I know better. Sleep is healing. My blood pressure’s better when I get seven hours. My mood’s better. My cravings go down. I dream more—real dreams, the kind that remind you life still has flavor.
🧬 Genetics Matter, But They Ain’t Everything
Sure, I got high blood pressure from my father’s side. But I also got ten fingers to cook better meals with, two legs to keep walking with, and a brain to start changing course. Genes load the gun, but habits pull the trigger. I’m learning to live in a way that keeps the safety on.
🧠 Mindset Is Half the Battle
Here’s the big one: how you think about your health affects how you act on it.
If you think being healthy is a punishment, you’ll avoid it. If you think it’s impossible, you won’t even try. But if you believe—even a little—that you can improve, then suddenly walking feels doable. Passing on the donut becomes a win, not a loss.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to believe that better is possible.
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Cleanup Crew and Clean Living
This past Saturday, I joined a few neighbors for a little community cleanup. Nothing major—just picking up trash, trimming hedges, clearing out a park bench or two.
But you know what? It felt good. Moving my body with a purpose. Helping where I live look a little more cared for. Because a clean environment supports a healthy mindset. If your neighborhood looks like nobody gives a damn, it’s hard to feel like your choices matter. But when people come together—even just a few—it reminds you: We still care. We still matter.
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Final Thought
I’m not here to tell you what to do. I’m just here to show you what’s been working for a stubborn, grieving, 65-year-old man who’s trying to stick around long enough to dance at his grandkids’ weddings.
Drink more water. Move your body. Eat like your health depends on it—because it does. Get some sleep. And most of all: believe that your body, your health, and your future are worth fighting for.
One walk, one meal, one choice at a time.
I’m Walter. I didn’t get it right for a long time, but I’m getting better.
And like I always say:
I’m not a doctor, and I don’t play one on TV. Always check with your physician before making health changes.
