Krystal Roberts

Why I’m Walking ❤️

Heart & Stroke is a cause that hits close to home for me. I’ve lost someone I love to stroke, and I have other loved ones who are living with and managing heart conditions. To the wonderful woman in the attached image - my nanna - the first person who came to mind when I saw this challenge.  I miss you more than words can say. 

Both of my parents have experienced heart attacks. Watching people I care about navigate the fear, challenges, and lasting impact that can come with heart disease and stroke made me think, I don’t want that to be my life.

For a long time, though, that realization wasn’t enough to make me take my own heart health as seriously as I should have. It wasn’t until I began dealing with high blood pressure and related issues, and had some important conversations with my physicians, that I really started to understand that I needed to make my health a priority.

Medication helped, but only to a point. I also knew that my weight wasn’t helping matters. Since February, I’ve been making some significant changes. With the help of a GLP-1 medication (recommended by my physician to help with a serious of health issues), I’ve lost 47 pounds, become much more mindful about the foods I’m eating, and — perhaps most importantly for this challenge — I’ve been able to become more active again without the same level of pain and discomfort I was experiencing before.

I know that family history means I may always need medication to help manage my blood pressure, and I’ve come to accept that there are some things I simply can’t control. But there is a lot that I can control.

The changes I’ve made so far have shown me that taking care of my heart isn’t about making one perfect choice or reaching one particular number. It’s about the small, consistent choices I make every day and being more mindful of my health and wellness as a whole.

That’s a big part of why I’m taking on this 90 km challenge in September. It’s a way to challenge myself, continue improving my cardiovascular fitness, and raise money and awareness for a cause that has already touched my life in so many ways.