What I need right now

I adore being back at the gym. I feel myself getting stronger every day. I also feel I have more stamina. Something I was seriously lacking before. 

We go to the gym three days a week. I'm slowly increasing the difficulty and pace of what I do. Today was the first day I did a few minutes of stretching and water yoga before I got out. I forgot how good that feels. My back especially needed a good stretch.

 WOMAN POWER!

I'm feeling like a happy, beautiful princess. I love moving my body again. Feeding myself healthy, wholesome foods and of course, my red hair. I have such a "redhead" personality that I feel it really suits me. 

 I love being a redhead

I've been trying to pay close attention to what I need right now. And in the near future.

1) Move as much as I can every day. That's not to say push myself every day. A gentle dog walk or swim is perfect.

2) Avoid sugar and processed foods. They both make me just feel ick.

3) Gently push myself. Like slowly increasing my weights at the pool or staying in the garden a little bit longer. But don't over do it.

4) Eat a high protein, mito friendly short chain fatty acid diet. This is where I feel my best. Fresh foods, no preservative, berries all day every day. I'm like a bear when it comes to fresh berries.

5) Avoid gluten when I can. I feel really bloated and get acid reflux when I eat most gluten foods. I can even get eczema if I have too much of it.

6) Take care of my body. Lotion myself, eye drops three times a day, color or no color on my hair, gentle washing of my beautiful body...

7) Not eating an extreme diet. Like Vegan. That doesn't work for me. Also having a normal size dinner and eating at the table on weekdays. We can eat like slobs on the couch during the weekend. 

8) Eating almost no dairy. Goat and sheep cheese and rarely even that. I've cut wayyyyy back on cheese and I feel better for it.

9) Not obsessively weighing myself. Once a week is more than enough. It's about health and strength. Not numbers.

10) Having my partner and family also doing this with me. Swimming with my mom is so fun. We chat a lot while we work out. My husband is also eating exactly what I'm eating. That's so helpful. I like seeing him get more healthy too.

11) Writing in my journal, blogging, talking about my health, my body, my needs is very therapeutic for me.

12) Replacing ART with mindless eating. Making time during my busy week for art.  

 

Some of my delicious meals lately 

 

We've Got This

"In sickness and in health..."
My husband and I didn't include any traditional wedding vows in our ceremony 31 years ago. Luckily we both love each other enough to stick it out no matter what comes our way. Myopathy, brain tumor, TB, Diabetes, Liver Disease, Diverticulitis, COVID, a Regime in the US. I could keep going but you get the picture. 

 

My guy eats peanut butter as much as these squirrels love peanuts.

My man has been having some health scares lately. He's been pretty borderline diabetic for the last eight years. But this past year it was severe enough that he had to start medication for it and seriously avoid alcohol and carbs. He wasn't a big drinker before anyway, so we thought it wasn't too serious.

Then recently his liver enzyme blood work came back very high. He had an ultrasound that led to a diagnosis of fatty liver. We were both confused. He hadn't been drinking, he cut out almost all carbs and only ate white meat. What's going on? His doctor then ordered a different kind of scan and lab repeat. The scan showed that he has "severe fibrosis" in his liver. Which is one step down from cirrhosis.  

Everyone's body is different. He's also under a lot of stress and pressure with his work. And who isn't stressed out right now in America? I'm thinking that like me, he just had a strong reaction to something. Likely a combination of diet and environment. Fortunately also like me he is a "take action" kind of person, not a "wallower."  

Everything we are planning on doing to help his liver and diabetes is also good for me and my body. So it's really a win-win as long as we're serious and stick to the eating plan.

We both found this list helpful. 

He's now cut out all dairy and sugar. Going easy on fruits and heavy on veg. 

To help us out I subscribed us to a new meal delivery system. It delivers fresh made, organic, Vegan meals to our house weekly. Since I have a problem with portion control and getting enough protein in my diet I'm hoping this will be helpful.

So far I've tried out:

• Hungry Root- It had too much prep required and too much packaging.
• Misfit Market- Expensive, but I liked it. Especially their jalapeno hummus. 
• Thistle- My first delivery is Wednesday. It's also expensive, but all the shopping, meal planning and assembly is done for me. That will be helpful as my energy levels aren't great at night.

I'm also re-joining the gym this week so my energy at night will likely be even worse for a little bit. Having ready made healthy meals that fit both our needs will be a real luxury.  

Me living my best life in 2024

My mom and I are committed to going to the gym three days a week together. I'll start in the pool and slowly (hopefully) work my way up to Yoga class again. I got a lot out of both when we were regularly going.

Meanwhile my husband has been walking a lot more. He loves this mid 70's spring weather ((gag)) and the sunshine is good for his mental health. I'm less of a sunshine warm weather lover, so the indoor pool will be perfect for me.

My weight is currently at a good place and even though I'm just recovering from bronchitis and pink eye, I'm feeling pretty good. I'm hoping we can reverse my husband's liver condition. No way can he go before me!
 

(NOTE: I got nothing for linking to those food delivery companies. All my own opinion. No kickbacks.) 

Extra Energy For LIFE!

When I was at my lowest point I only had energy for tiny tasks. Showering, feeding the dogs, minimal hobbies to keep my spirits up (like house plants) and medical appointments. Just the bare minimums. 

With the change in my diet and new medications and supplements I now have enough energy to broaden my life a bit. You know... to include other people and things. What I changed was:

• Results of genetic testing suggesting I have issues processing long-chain fatty acids.
• Now I eat a Vegetarian diet full of short-chain fatty acid foods.
• I take Amantadine 100mg, two pills in the morning. It helps with muscle pain, cramps and tremors.
• I recently added an amino acid called Nicotinamide Riboside 300mg. I take 2 in the morning. It helps with my energy in a massive way.
• I've been using the "Visible Pacing app" for people with chronic illness. It's like an anti-Fitbit for people with fatigue diseases. (not an endorsement)

These new tools have been very helpful in making sure I have a bit of extra energy. I now can spend time with my sisters and their families, with friends and making new memories.

Even away from my baseline I'm still doing better than I was.

Are you a mini or a maxi?

I've been a massive maximalist most of my life. But deep down inside has always been a minimalist dying to come out.

I'm a maximalist in all ways. Spending, decorating, buying clothes for my dogs, eating, loving people. It's very easy for me to go way over the top in all areas of my life. My husband will ask me if I want something now, or later? Both is always my answer. Did I want to go on a trip for our 30th anniversary or get a nice piece of jewelry? Both of course. Would I like the appetizer or dessert? Uhhhh BOTH!

See the pattern? 

Restraint, budgeting, minimalism, living withing my means, decorating within the boarders of my walls... nope. Big no to all of that.

I'm an expert money spender!

2025 is knocking. It's the perfect time for reflection and change.

1 - I want to be much less of a consumer. Both with my wallet and my mouth.

2- I want to de-clutter my environment. Donations and Ebay selling are the best way to purge.

3- I want to be more on top of my finances. As long as I'm not working (and I don't think that's changing soon) I feel I need to be more responsible about my budget.

4- Be out in nature more. 

5- Be more active with the dogs & take them out with me more. That always takes a ton of spoons, but I feel it is very worth it.

I also want to embrace new ways to self sooth that don't involve hurting myself (by over-eating or by over-spending.)

WHEW! That's a big list. Notice how "weight loss" isn't there?

When I put pressure on myself by turning my focus on that, I fail. I'm tired of failing, so I'm not making it a goal right now. My hope is by trying to do a better job of taking care of myself and simplifying my surroundings, other things will fall into place.

Happy New Year.

I wish nothing but amazing things for us in 2025.