A Quick Post...

Just a quick post! - no pretty pictures today!

I have been doing an experiment on my health using BeachBody/Shakeology products. I lost 10 pounds in a month, (but nothing since - although the inches are less) and the Shakeology gave me added energy, although it didn't take away the pain or flares of my Fibromyalgia. 

For the last three weeks I have been in a pretty ornery flare, with a lot of nausea, sweats and chills, pain, back spasms and fatigue. While I did drink the shakeology during this time, it didn't take any of the symptoms away, or improve them that I could tell. It did however give me good nutrition during the times that I couldn't cook or feel like getting "real food" besides a nutritional supplement. 

I was so hoping that this would be a magic bullet and that all my wildest dreams of being healthy again would come true. Sadly, that wasn't my experience. At least not totally. And not enough to continue to spend $130 month on a nutritional supplement. 

I am continuing my subscription to the Beach Body on Demand though, as I like their yoga programs. I will re-visit the program question when my year subscription is up next July. Until then I'll enjoy the yoga programs. I find that they are gentle like I need, and I like how I can change up my workouts. I do feel stronger when I exercise. . . when I have enough energy to do it! Not so much the last three weeks. 

While I am sad that I didn't find something that would work long term through Beach Body / shakeology, I am not through fighting. I have learned that I feel better when I am active, but that I need to do gentle exercises for my body. I have learned that I need to eat well and clean, and that water, water, water is a key to detoxing my body and keeping weight off. I have learned that there are awesome people in the world that I didn't know before, and I love celebrating their weightloss milestones with them, and seeing them regain their health. I just can't keep up with them. And I was stressing myself out trying to!

I have learned better how to pace myself. . . a never ending lesson! I have learned that I need to put my health on a front burner instead of the back burner, and that's it's ok to make time for myself to be healthy. I have also learned that there are a lot of Fibro-Warriors out there that are looking for the very thing that I am looking for. 

And like you, I am not done fighting. I am not done looking for something to give me back my life. I am also not done writing this blog! Let's just say that I am just getting started!

While the blog may go through a metamorphosis, it will still follow my health and things that I am trying. Since this blog is ad-free, I don't feel a "need" to write when I don't feel well. So there may be times that this blog will go into a lull, but I'm not going away. I have found that the voices out there that speak to Fibro-Health are few at best. The news is old, and pinterest has all the same old articles with new pictures on them. But I am willing to share what I find, when I find it.

With that said, I hope that everyone has a wonderful day. I hope that you stay positive, and know that someone is praying for all of us that struggle with Chronic Illnesses. (it's me). 

-Erlyn

Before Pictures and Bad Days

 Sixteen Days Ago I started with the Shakeology and Beach Body Programs. 

Normally I wouldn't take pictures this close together, but I am already starting to see a difference in my appearance. It is also apparent to my hubster!

I know it's not a HUGE change, but it is for ME!

in 16 Days I have lost 6 pounds and 3 inches off my body. If you don't think this is HUGE, then talk to any friend you have with a chronic illness and see how hard it is to lose weight! Especially THIS FAST!

I am proud of me.

I am also able to do this!

The yoga poses might not look like much to you, but they represent an amazing growth and range of motion to me! And you will notice that I am NOT falling over! Yay!

This is also a huge step for me as I have spent this past week being in a flare with multiple migraines, nausea and stiffness with pain from Fibromyalgia.

As I was going through these trials, I was able to keep a pretty good positive attitude about me, drink my shakeology and stay on the program. I did my yoga, and tried to rest the rest of the week. . . Until Yesterday.

Yesterday I hit the wall. . . or rather, the wall fell on me and buried me!

Chronic Illness Flares can feel like this!

But the world sees this!

After a week of feeling like crap and giving it my all, I gave up for a few hours yesterday. I felt hopeless because of the pain, and I didn't want to try anymore because of the fatigue and nausea. . . So I didn't.

I allowed myself to rest, I drank my shakeology because it's the only thing that was quick and nutritious. I didn't exercise. I didn't write my blog because I didn't care. I wasn't nice to my ever-patient hubster, And I spent the day feeling sorry for myself. I didn't know how I was going to coach others when I couldn't even inspire myself. Basically, I let the Fibro win. . . 

for a day.

Well, guess what!

I allowed myself to rest and not feel guilty. I gave in to my fatigue and spent til 1am looking on Pinterest pinning Fibro pins because of the Pain-somnia, (pain + Insomnia = you can't sleep because of the pain), and sleeping in today. 

It was a wise choice. Maybe not food wise, or exercise wise, but it was good for ME wise. It was good for me body wise, depression wise, fatigue wise, blog wise, and attitude wise. Sometimes those of us with chronic illnesses have to march to a different drummer than what the world wants or expects. and you know what?

IT'S OK!

I hope that you take opportunities to rest when you are weary, and laugh when you are down.

I love this picture. It's of my dad! He took his teeth out and was wearing a pirate hat. My mom about died! but my dad was having fun. I grabbed my camera! I promised him that I was displaying this picture at his funeral. After he passed, I couldn't find the picture anywhere! Turns out my daughter stole the picture! Thankfully it's floating in cyberspace and I was able to reclaim it! Laugh during the hard times!

I was too weak yesterday to write a blog, but I kept thinking that I needed to write SOMETHING! Especially if anyone is following me along! 

(Who knows - no one comments! but that's ok. I just want to inspire others with chronic illness that they can do something to become healthier than they are now!)

When I am down, I just want to laugh. It helps me through the hard times. My kids have given me the gift of laughter, and the appreciation of funny sarcasm. 

Because of their serious committment to laughter, I want to share a gem with you, to make up for yesterday. If you go to my daughter's blog (the one that stole the picture of my dad) you will totally understand the above meme. . . 

and You're Welcome.

www.dearpersonreadingthis.blogspot.com

Shakeology Recipe of the Day:

Double Chocolate Banana

In Blender Combine:

8-12 oz cold water

1 scoop chocolate Shakeology

1 Tbs organic cocoa

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 small banana

Scoop of Ice

Blend until Ice is combined

*1 Protein, 1 fruit, 1-1/2 water on Fix containers

Drink to your health!

** IF you would like to join me on my journey, or would like more information, comment me! or like my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BB.FibroCoach/