Month: May 2016

#HealthGoals

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It has been over a year since my diagnosis. Initially I lost some weight taking my supplements and following an AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet. But as soon as Thanksgiving 2015 hit I was in trouble. Mainly because my favorite food is stuffing or as some people like to call it dressing. I could eat a bowl of it with nothing else and have before! But I didn’t this time, but lets just say I ate a lot and it was not pretty. My digestion was horrible and I felt so sluggish. Plus my relaxed attitude about the stuffing lead to may sweet deserts that were not good for my condition either. If you are at all familiar with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis than you know that gluten and dairy are the worse things to eat. They are essentially off-limits. Gluten and dairy increase the thyroid antibodies that fight your thyroid which leads to various symptoms, one of which is fatigue. But I figured at the time I would have a little just to celebrate  the holidays since I had not yet found a recipe that was AIP approved at that time. Well, I celebrated and it took months to get back in the mindset that I could not longer make excuses for not following that one simple principle: stay away from dairy and gluten. The negative side-effect was putting back on the weight I had lost initially plus some!

So two weeks ago I made a list of all the suggestions that I have discovered in my research of healing my autoimmune disease that are supposed to benefit my condition and lead me towards remission. On a daily basis I have made a list on a calendar page of all the things I have done within that day to benefit my health. So I decided that I would share a few things with you as a way to keep me accountable and to share in case this may benefit you as well!

A few of the beneficial actions include the following:

  • Short HIIT workouts or low impact exercise like swimming, walking, and yoga
  • AIP diet (no gluten, dairy, nightshades, coffee, corn, potatoes, sugar, soy, grains, alcohol, processed food, vegetable oils, and legumes)
  • Walk
  • Dry brushing of the body
  • Getting 8 hours of sleep at night and going to bed before 11 pm
  • Stretching
  • Infrared sauna
  • Meditation
  • Increase water intake
  • Switch to organic (food and linens)
  • Air filter (whole house or rooms you spend the most time in)
  • Water filters (kitchen and bathroom)
  • Decrease exposure to toxins (switch to organic toxin free cosmetics, skin care, and body care; switch to glass and ceramic cookware, storage ware, and dishes)
  • Supplement with vitamins (following a protocol prescribed by a licensed professional)
  • Epsom salt warm baths, etc.

I have tried to have a goal of at least 7 of these actions on a daily basis. So far I have been good at having a glass of hot water with lemon in the morning, utilizing my desk cycle daily, taking a one mile walk while at work, stretching in the morning, doing a HIIT or 7 minute ab workout first thing in the morning, increasing my intake of filtered water, using air filters and my Himalayan Salt lamp at work, staying away from dairy and gluten, and dry brushing or using a body scrub daily. The other actions listed above I have already done (like switching to organic and decreasing exposure to toxins) or am working on increasing to more than once a week (like the infrared sauna and getting more sleep). It is all a work in progress as I am learning how to incorporate these things in my life so they do not feel like burdens.

I have noticed an increase in energy and a decrease in craving by following these actions. Not saying that all of these things cause the positive outcome. Ultimately my goal is to get the excess weight off. Honestly my intention is to lose about 50 pounds; a max of 60. I know that something from the list above will help with that. Whether it is just sticking to the AIP diet (which I have been having issues with) or working out daily. One day at a time is how I am looking at this now and I know that I will see the results that I am looking for, plus feeling great. In the next posts I want to elaborate on some of the actions listed above and give more detail into how I am applying them to my life while listing a few resources to give you a direction to take your journey.

What is a goal that you want to tackle?

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HashiOhNO Here We Go

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Since this is my first blog post, I figured that I would tell you a little about myself. Essentially tell my business, air my dirty laundry, put myself on blast, or as “they” like to say let it all hang out. So here goes. I am a Cancer who enjoys long walks in nature, lazy weekends, and romantic dinners… That’s probably not what you had in mind if you are still reading this, so let’s be serious.

I never had a perfect childhood, though it was not bad. But as life progressed and I reached adulthood it has been somewhat of an explosion at times. I have dealt with depression, suicidal thoughts, self-doubt, and self hate. I have had the wrong “friends” or relationships in my life who put me down or made me feel less than good enough (which may not have been their intention, but hurts all the same). I have been digging through a tunnel of darkness back to the light. One way I am doing this is by rediscovering the things that bring me joy (such as reading, traveling, singing, being silly, cooking, listening to music, being with people I love, photography and taking walks in nature-I was serious about that part) and not wallowing in the pain or caring about people’s reactions or opinions. Mainly, I focus on what feels good and right without hurting anyone. I feel that we all should try to make ourselves happy rather than trying to make everyone else happy. Lets be honest, it is not possible to please everyone. There is always one person that has a problem or something negative to say. But I digress.

I am a single mother to my awesome, talented, attention loving daughter. We lost her father in September of 2012. Days from our 13th anniversary and his 27th birthday. Since his death I have been on a journey to connect spiritually to God and this beautiful world around us. To be able to hear my soul and distinguish between my intuition and the ego. Also to quiet the ego and remember who I am.

Now to the reason we are here! I received my diagnosis on May 5, 2015 that I suffer from Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the thyroid) and adrenal fatigue (both making it easy to put on weight and hard to lose it). Some of the issues that caused me to look into my health were me falling asleep at work and while driving, migraines, digestive issues, and extreme fatigue. Plus feeling bloated, gassy, emotional, and a few other symptoms. It was a scary time, especially whenever my daughter was in the car with me and I’d be having a narcoleptic episode!

I have a great job, but feel that it is not my purpose. I know and believe there is something more for me, bigger and more beneficial to the world. All of which is why I have started a blog as a starting place of discovery. I needed a place to put my thoughts and actions to how I intend on improving my health and my life. Plus I wanted others to be able to hold me accountable for sticking to those changes and also be able to benefit from them as well if they discover something to apply to their own life.

My intention is to provide hope and maybe a starting point for people who may be dealing with  any of these circumstances. I want people to know they are not alone and that someone understands. We are all connected and we all deal with issues whether they be similar or completely different. Difficult situations are hard and we all need support and help finding our way. Even if it is hearing suggestions or knowing that someone understands or is listening. This is my outlet towards a better, healthier, happier life.

If you read this all the way through, THANK YOU!!! I pray that your world is right, bright, and full of light! Many blessings!

Here we go!!!!!!!!