Monday, September 12, 2011

Change is Good

Stress. All of us know what that monster can do to those of us with chronic illnesses. Stress can literally break down body systems of even the most healthy people. I know that stress causes me to hurt twice as much as I do on a normal day. I tend to get hives, mouth sores, more days with fevers, and migraines when life gets to be a little too much.

That said, I have decided to make a lot of changes in my life. I have got to get healthy again and I feel as if I can do more to help myself than I have been doing. I don't think I will make all of these changes, 100%, right away. I am going to actually consider them to be goals.

Here is what I am going to strive for:

1. Drink more water. I am the worst water drinker! I hate the stuff! But--I can tolerate it with lemon, so I will stock up on lemons and see what I can do. By drinking more water, it should be easier for me to achieve the next goal....

2. Drink less coke/diet coke.

3. Exercise at least 3 times a week. I love Zumba, but it's hard on my knees. I may try to attend Zumba class on days I feel okay, and then walk on bad pain days.

4. Eat healthier. My diet sucks. Period. I have to work on eating more nutritious foods.

5. Take supplements consistently. I'm still researching what I want to take, but I have read that the powder mixes are much better for smelly pill haters like myself. Do any of you have any recommendations?

6. Spend more time with people who truly care about me. I tend to go into my cave and hide when I'm depressed or feeling lousy. It's so hard for me to muster up the energy just to make the 5 minute drive to Starbucks to meet a friend on some days. But I have come to realize that it ALWAYS helps me feel better when I spend some time with friends. I am lucky to have a few friends who understand that I'm truly sick and that it's very hard for me to commit to any plans.

7. Eliminate people from my life who cause me more stress. Now of course I can't exactly ship off my kids, (haha!!) but I can stop spending time with people who make me feel guilty or lazy because I'm unable to do some things. I don't need that. I need love and support. Even if I love somebody more than anything, if they are unwilling to understand what I'm going through, they are not going to be good for me.

That's about it....what do you think about my goals? Positive changes, eh?!

Hope you all had a great weekend!!!
Hugs,
Beth


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

9 comments:

  1. Wishing you success on your list! Any one of them should help and I you are right on target.

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  2. Hi Beth,
    Best wishes on your list. I just recently ordered a couple of books on diet and Lyme, I am hoping when they come in, I can try to make healthier changes too. Good luck, friend.

    Ginny

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  3. Nice to meet you Beth.

    I just found your blog and I too have chronic pain - back, neck and legs since 1996, but I say the worse since 2009 when I herniated a disc at L5, S1 and had surgery. I've been on Lyrica ever since amongst other meds.
    Your post today really hits home. I too feel all those feelings. Especially the cave. I hope I can get to a 'positive changes' list of my own soon. Please follow me at http://mymindcloset.blogspot.com/.
    Tyla

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  4. Deb...Thanks for the positive comment. I hope you are having a great day!

    Ginny...What books did you order? Maybe I should order a couple as well. We could share things we try/learn maybe.

    Tyla...Thanks for stopping by. I am now following you and will read up on your situation when I get a few minutes. I look forward to getting to know you. :)

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  5. Excellent goals that I should adopt. For awhile I cut back on diet soda, but have lately started drinking 3-4 cans a day, which is way too much. Thanks for the nudge back to health. I know I've been stressed lately, which might explain the eruption of pain and swelling, not too bad yet though. Whew! Good luck!

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  6. Good changes, they will make a difference. I too am making some changes. I have been severely affected by IBS since being in Greece. It's the stress of being in a different country I think. I am joining a health club when I return to Canada. I never drink Coke and I eat a fairly healthy diet so I'm not sure why I'm having this flare up other than stress. Having friends who "get it" is a real bonus and I admit I don't have too many of those. Good luck...ciao

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  7. Good luck with reaching your goals. It is always good to care for one's self and be in better health. Side note, my local indoor pool offers zumba. Doing it in the water may be easier on knees. Key word may. ;) Just throwing it out there in case you have something like that close to you.

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  8. Hi Beth,
    I also just found your blog and will continue to follow. I myself have an autoimmune condition (Sjogren's syndrome), fibromyalgia, and other fun stuff. I wanted to comment about supplements, though.

    It seems like most of your pain is in your joints, though (I think?) but for muscle pain what I have found helpful is a product called D-Ribose.
    http://www.iherb.com/Doctor-s-Best-Best-BioEnergy-D-Ribose-8-8-oz-250-g/8319?at=0

    I take 2 scoops a day and it really helps with the pain fatigue/pain.

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