Last month I had an important anniversary. I outlived my father who died aged 55 from Sleep Apnea. The problem is that I too have inherited his tendency to Sleep Apnea. I wake up in the night, having stopped breathing, gasping for my next breath. Being over weight and drinking are key determinants for the condition and are the controllable aspects of the condition. Living to an old age will therefore require me to change the habits of a lifetime.
What to do? I have to lose about 30 pounds and keep this weight off. How to do this? Changing the eating and exercise habits of a lifetime is not easy - even if death is a consequence.
I need to have a goal that will alter my habits of sloth and indulgence. I need to find a way to wake up my body and to find new habits that I can sustain.
I had a clue last year when I started to bicycle as a new hobby. I know I enjoy it and, here on PEI, biking is well supported by a wonderful infrastructure and by a warm and accepting community. To this end, I have decided to enter the Tip to Tip bike Marathon in late May. This involves riding for 4 days across PEI from Tip to Tip (about 379k) The marathon is a fund raiser for a group that are running a Micro Credit operation in South Africa. Micro Credit has been found to be one of the best development tools that we know of. In essence it empowers women in their communities to start small businesses.
Here is where I need your support. This is a fundraiser. I have to deliver $400 to the organizers to support the Townships Project. I have committed $200 of my own money. Will you help by pledging some of yours?
Here is the link to the PayPal donation site for the project where you can name me and make a donation direct or let me know in the comments and I will get in touch and give you an address to send a cheque.
Technorati Tags: Biking, Fund Raising, Micro Credit, PEI, Sleep Apnea
