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Heavy Heart

Lisa Eirene

About Lisa Eirene Lisa lost 110 pounds through calorie counting and exercise. She swims, bikes, runs, hikes and is enjoying life in Portland, Oregon. Her weight loss story has been featured in First Magazine, Yahoo Health, Woman's Day and Glamour.com.

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19 Comments

  1. Megan

    What you said was perfect, just beautiful. I’ve come to believe that life is a fine balance. The older we grow, the more we are able to find that harmony.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      That’s good to hear, Megan. Balance is good, hope to have that mastered some day…

  2. Lori

    It is true that these events really make you examine your own lives more closely. I feel so terrible for Biz and for anyone that loses someone they love.

    It’s good that you filled out those papers. Have you also discussed with your parents these issues and make sure they have them as well (their own and copies of yours).

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Thanks, Lori. I know you were a big Biz fan, too. My heart just hurts for her.

      Yes, once we get the official copies we’ll be giving the people who need it copies.

  3. Abbe@This is How I Cook

    Very good post Lisa. It gives us all something to think about. I love Bizs blog too, and it was a shocker. Just shows how important it is to live each day to the fullest. I think Biz does.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      I agree Abbe, every day to the fullest…So sad.

  4. Kim

    I feel horrible for Biz – after reading her post on Monday I knew that the next time she shared with us would be sad.
    My husband and I have never done a will – I know it’s awful but I just want to live in avoidance. In the summer a friend of ours lost his wife very unexpectedly and Chris has been on me since then to get the will done and he wants to increase his life insurance.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      I guess I didn’t realize how serious it was for Tony. I kept thinking things would improve. So upsetting.

      Glad you guys addressed some of those topics. Like you, it’s sometimes easier to just avoid things like this. Glad guys talked.

  5. Carbzilla

    Big hugs from here.

    I don’t think anyone on their deathbed wishes they’d been lazier, but I bet they regret not seeing the world. We also need our health so I don’t think anyone should regret working out unless it’s a choice over spending time with loved ones. Clearly there’s no right or wrong way.

    Everyone should have a will and directives and life insurance. It’s actually pretty selfish not to. It’s not that hard to be a grown-up. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but I know of too many bad situations bc people acted irresponsibly with their lives.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Thanks lady. Yes, you make a good point. I work out, I eat healthy to be a healthier person and live longer. Sometimes when you are stuck on the elliptical, wishing you were somewhere else it’s easy to think negatively about that.

      Yes, agreed! I’ve had life insurance through work at the last few jobs I had. Having a will and naming an executor is important. When the time comes, not having someone named to be responsible for things just adds more stress to family members…

  6. Courtney B

    This has always been a difficult topic for me. Brian and I have discussed it over several occasions, and it never gets easier. Remember how I mentioned that we were going to drive our car until it would no longer start? We finally took it in for repairs. I am a huge worry wort, and one of my biggest fears involved Brian getting in an accident in the early morning because the car wasn’t in good shape. Fixing the car has given me peace of mind, but I will always worry.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      I hear ya on that. I am a huge worry wort too. It’s the anxiety. I have anxiety over things I can’t control. I worry about Michael on his bike all the time. 🙁

  7. emmaclaire

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Lisa. I need to get a will in place as well. We’ve been fortunate to have amazing friends who would have taken the best of care of our children – I’m grateful they’re adults now and it’s not so worrisome. Now I just don’t want to leave a mess for DH or the kids to have to untangle should something happen to me.

    I am sad for Biz, and agree that you just never know from one day to the next what may happen. This fall, at my school job, we came in one day and learned that one of our substitute teachers who had been in the classroom the day before had a massive heart attack and died in the night. She was in her early 40s and had a student at our school. It was just such a bolt out of the blue and brought home the idea that each and every day is a gift, and there are no guarantees. I’m sure my family rolls their eyes at how often I say “I love you!”, just in case they are the last words I get to say to them. Morbid, huh?

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Not morbid at all, that’s wonderful. I’m sorry to hear about that teacher. It’s even harder when it’s someone so young!

  8. Beth

    Hi Lisa – I’m an avid Biz reader too and was so sad to learn of Tony’s death. Going off of Carbzilla said as far as working out, it is important no matter how guilty it may make us feel at times to put ourselves on our to-do list. Whether that’s taking the time to workout, saying no if you’re overcommitted, asking for help, etc. I can’t imagine Biz has any regrets about how she spent her time, at least I hope not. We all need some me time too – it can’t all be about being a Mom and wife and daughter and sister and employee, etc.

    Last week a 38 year old woman in our community died suddenly, massive heart attack, leaving behind 4 boys. It does make you put things in perspective.

  9. CARLA

    I so so so feel for Biz as well.

  10. Denise

    Thought provoking post— I’m most challenged with the “have to / shoulda” versus the “want to/ just for fun” dilemma at the holidays. Everything in life is such a tenuous balance— I search for a healthy balance each day…….

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Healthy balance is the key I think.

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