I have been working very hard at leading a healthier life these past couple of months. I detailed the steps I’ve been taking here. I’ve gotten to the point where exercise in the morning is part of my routine. I bring my lunch to work a lot more, and when I do go out I make healthy choices. On days that I bring my lunch, I try to go for a walk, and I recently went to the Y during lunch when it was raining. I’ve also started going on 45-minute bike rides after work.

It’s paid off in many ways. My measurements are shrinking, I’ve lost 30 pounds, and I feel wonderful. Today, I reaped yet another reward.

Last October, I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. After six months, heart medicine had helped my heart function improve from 15 to 20% up to 35%…but I was still too far from normal, 55%, for my doctor’s liking. She strongly suggested I get an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).

At that point, I wrote, “I think that if I had worked harder to improve my diet and exercise, it would be better than it is…and I think if I work on those areas now, I can help it improve even more.” And I decided to work on my diet and exercise to see if I was right.

It turns out, I was.

Today I had my echocardiogram, three months after the ICD was suggested and ten months after my diagnosis.

My ejection fraction is now 45 – 50%, just 5% away from normal.