I do quite a bit of social networking and am always meeting amazing people all the time! This lady to the left of your screen is pretty amazing for a couple of reason but yesterday the reason she caught my eye and heart was why she was running the City to Surf in Sydney this weekend.  Please read below and support her TODAY! The City to Surf is held on Sunday so we need as many people to donate right now! Visit this link below and be inspired to make a real difference in many  families lives today. http://city2surf.everydayhero.com.au/susan_wallis

As written by Susan Wallis

It is my personal opinion, that if you are a parent you have an obligation to be the fittest and healthiest you can be, to help you be the best parent, role model and person you can be.

If you are the parent of a child with a disability, that obligation is greater.  For me, as the mother of a precious girl who will need full time care for life, there is no great priority than staying as strong and healthy as I can to give my girl the best of care for as long as I can, as well as having the energy to enjoy the best life has to offer with both of my daughters and my husband.

My eldest daughter was born at full term but experienced severe hypoxic distress during labour and was delivered stillborn by emergency c section.  Due to amazing medical care, a strong will and the love and best wishes of countless people, our strong little girl not only survived but thrived. Yes, she is severely disabled, however she is healthier than any other child we know,  full of laughter and smiles and has a fantastic quality of life.  We feel extra blessed to have both of our healthy children, even luckier than parents of children without disabilities, because our big girl should not be here.  Our second and just as precious younger princess entered the world by planned c section and our little family is now complete.

I had always been active prior to having my children, but the trauma and stress of my eldest daughter’s birth lead me to seek comfort from food and my weight increased, compounded by a second pregnancy.  12 months ago I decided enough was enough and it was time to get healthy and fit, and if the weight came off as a side effect, that would be a bonus.  I experienced Type 2 gestational diabetes during both of my pregnancies, and have a strong family history of Type 2 diabetes, and I could not afford a type 2 diabetes diagnosis if I was to be strong and healthy for life.

Despite losing a considerable amount of weight, within my healthy weight range and reducing my BMI, I still received a type 2 diabetes diagnosis earlier this year. I felt sorry for myself for a day or so, and then decided this was in fact a blessing, as it means I can never let my weight increase and my health slip ever again!  So the bar has been raised.  I need to ramp up my exercise and reduce my weight even further!  My children have an increases risk of type 2 diabetes also, and I need them to see that regular exercise and a healthy diet is the way to a long and happy life.

So I’m participating in my first City to Surf this coming Sunday 9 August, walking the majority of the distance and aiming for a sub 120 minute time.  I intend to run the 14 kms next year.  If this goal doesn’t increase my fitness and get the last 10kgs off then nothing will!

I am proudly supporting the Cerebral Palsy Support Network and have raised $920 so far.  This fantastic organisation is based in Victoria and provides much needed information, advocacy and support to people with cerebral palsy and their families.

How is your health and fitness? Are you being the best parent and role model you can be? It’s not just about you!

Don’t forget to donate every $ helps.

 http://city2surf.everydayhero.com.au/susan_wallis