A Narcissistic Account of My Heart Health I find there to be many factors in my life that would make it difficult for my heart

to pump past 50 years; perhaps more than the average person. In my house, every bowl of ice cream and bag of chips requires a lecture about how terrible my genetics are. They used to be about the surgery my grandfather had to have on his clogged arteries or a list of every relative with diabetes. More recently, though (now that Im older, I assume), the lectures have been about my mothers miniature stroke (which occurred before I was even a thought) and the heart surgery she had to have a couple of years after my birth (she has never been unhealthy, my family is just genetically unlucky), as well as a list of relatives (most of whom Ive never met) that have passed away from heart trouble. Working in a fast food restaurant doesnt make matters any better, either. I swear that I can feel my arteries hardening as I stand over the deep fryer and wipe a layer of grease off of my forehead. Simply being around the food is enough for my future heart attack (although, I do still eat the golden, salty delicacies on occasion). In the past year, transitioning from high school to college, I have found my lifestyle and diet have changed significantly and often (so often that I have now written three entirely different essays for this contest) and have begun to feel some comfort in my new lifestyle and security in my future. Before I became a working man, l lived somewhat of a sedimentary lifestyle (the subject of one of my previous essays). My biggest troubles included washing my sweatpants every time I dropped ice cream on them and having daily stomach-aches from eating too many gummy worms. Although I felt no less healthy than I previously had over the course of my life (not to mention the fact that I had never gained a pound), the lectures finally got to me and I felt like I needed to begin taking preventative measures for the future. This became the point in my life were I decided (with some success) to cut out everything unhealthy from my diet. I no longer snack on chips, crispy chicken, candy, and frozen treats. I also made

a habit of (which feels more like an addiction to) running. After a few months now, I can brag about how I unintentionally lost ten pounds. Research indicates that sugar has detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system, often showing that people with higher sugar intakes may be at greater risk of contracting cardiovascular and coronary heart disease (Howard). In my personal diet, I have narrowed down and eliminated all substances that contain unhealthy amounts of sugar soda, candy, and pastries (cookies, cakes, etc.). It may sound stupid and easy to simply cut these three things out of a diet, but I cant even begin to count the number of people who only come to my restaurant to purchase a large (32 oz.) soda. As a non-soda drinker, this experience confused me, but I have also found that research indicates that sugar may be addictive (Gearhardt 46). This certainly doesnt mean we should attack it and ban people from consuming it (thanks anyways, Mayor Bloomberg), but we should probably begin listening to the stupid, boring lectures that we get at home and in health class and perhaps only have soda as a treat (Id hate to write an essay where I just state the obvious, but sometimes it just needs to be said). I have also learned that, aside from the potential addictiveness of sugar, many people are unable to change their lifestyle because of genetics. Humans are programmed to take in as many calories as possible, as our ancestors found them hard to come by. It is one of the pitfalls of being a hunter-gatherer species in a modern world. Now that high-calorie, greasy, fatty food is always available, our psychological tendencies force us to eat as much as possible (Robinson). Obviously, this is why I see my restaurant overflowing with costumers every day around lunch time. Luckily for me, it has become much easier to avoid this food after preparing it every day and I have learned that it is pretty easy to eat for cheap elsewhere. I can usually find a granola bar, fruit, nuts, and other healthy snacks at the gas station down the street if I didnt have time to pack my own lunch that morning. In addition to heart preservation and keeping ones arteries clean, cutting fat out of a diet is the most effective way to lose weight, although, it tends to be easier to cut sugar out (Jackson 215).

About a year ago my grandfather (the one with clogged arteries) went to the doctor and was told he needed to be much more active and spend time moving. As a limo driver in New York City, exercise has always been low priority to him and is one of the reasons that he has had heart issues. In fact, being inactive puts one at a much higher risk of getting heart disease (A.D.A.M.) We bought him a treadmill which he now spends time walking on for a little while each day. In my venture to live holistically (and prevent miniature strokes, clogged arteries, and heart failure), I have found that it actually takes very little effort to achieve heart health. With my balanced diet (for now) and rigorous exercise routine, I feel confident that I can tip-toe around the more serious complications that I am prone to.

References A.D.A.M. (2012). Exercises Effects on the Heart. Health Guide. Retrieved from: http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/specialtopic/physical-activity/exercise's-effects-onthe-heart.html Gearhardt, A., Roberts, M., & Ashe, M. (2013). If Sugar Is Addictive...What Does It Mean for the Law?. Journal Of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 4146-49. doi:10.1111/jlme.12038 Howard, B. Wylie, J. (2002). Sugar and Cardiovascular Disease. Circulation. Retrieved from: http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/106/4/523.full Jackson, G. (2009). Heart Health. London: Class Pub. Robinson, M. (2010). Protect Your Appetite for Pleasure. Cupids Poisoned Arrow. Retrieved from: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cupids-poisoned-arrow/201010/protect-your-appetitepleasure