I realized I finally needed to take care of all the health issues my doctor had been strenuously scolding me about when a close relative was being evaluated for a transplant. The same things that I was neglecting were the things that would keep me from being able to offer to be a donor should that relative's health deteriorate further. I also knew I might never need to offer this BUT I couldn't live with myself if the need arose and I was just too lazy to get things under control while I had a chance.

1) Allows me to keep my health issues completely under control without any daily medications.
2) I get to EAT!!
3) It's helped me realize that things that I have accepted as "part of getting older" simply didn't have to be "part of getting older". There truly is no reason to just accept things as inevitable. If you don't like it, fight it!
4) It's allowed me a new-found confidence in my strength & physical abilities. As someone who has never been coordinated, and spent all of high school gym being the last chosen for all team activities, it simply never occurred to me that I could feel remotely proficient at any physical activity. I must say, I'm still not overly coordinated, but I am much more comfortable with what I CAN do!