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

The Clothes Make The Man

Have you ever heard that expression that the clothes make the man? How about the woman?

Do you have any habits concerning clothes that put you in a certain mood? I do! I have found on days that I want to clean my house, If I put on my apron, my mind set changes, and I am ready to clean.

How about gardening clothes,

or your painting clothes?

What about a swimsuit,

or getting all fancy-pants?

The same thing happens when I wear my work out clothes,

or pajamas on a bad day.

My clothes determine my actions. They can also determine my attitude.

I am finding that when I get up in the morning and I put on my workout clothes, even if I don't exercise for awhile, my mind set has already happened. I have made a choice to exercise my body, and I don't have to think about it any more. The decision has been made and I just have to follow through.

I have a visual reminder and a physical reminder that I need to exercise my body for my health, and to help my body have more flexibility. Once you get in the habit of exercising, your body will miss it if you miss a day, unless, like me you have a chronic illness.... those are the days that are pajama days!...unless I HAVE to go out, then I wear my aqua t-shirt that says "Today is a Good Day".... It's really not, but reminds me to have a good attitude.

As I was packing for my trip, I didn't want to lose the habit I have  been cultivating over the last 3 weeks, so the first thing I packed was my workout clothes and my yoga mat! I don't want to go backwards! I made a deliberate, conscious decision to pack what I needed.

I brought Shakeology with me also. I am excited to try some new recipes this week. I love putting spices, fruit, veggies and flavors in the shake. I also like to blend it with ice. I am without a blender this week, so as I thought about what I wanted to add to my Shakeology, with only my Shakeology cup to mix up my drink, I had an idea of putting the shakeology into baggies with the various spices. So far, I really like the added cloves and ginger! I'm excited to see what the ground cardamom tastes like when mixed with the chocolate! I brought herbal tea to use in place of the water, but mentally I just can't get there yet!

If you choose a healthier lifestyle,

it starts with attitude,

followed by goals.

and then ACTIONS!

I don`t care if you weigh a thousand pounds or are 6 feet tall and weigh 50 pounds. Whether you haven't been sick a day in your life, or suffer from chronic illnesses. Whether you are young, or you are ancient. - We all start at the same place. . .

We all DECIDE to take care of ourselves,

and then we either DO SOMETHING,

or we don`t.

What are YOU going to choose today? What clothes determine YOUR future self? Please share your story below. I`d love to hear it!

If you would like more information about Shakeology or Beach Body, please leave a comment or visit my websites. you can find me at Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest or Instagram.

Have a great day everyone!

-Erlyn

Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother...

These are my parents!

I look like my mom, and I act like my dad...

I didn't realize how true this statement was until I saw this picture! LOL

... I also have my dad's health. Thanks Dad. . .

My dad passed away 5 1/2 years ago, and recently my mom decided it was time to move to independent living at Legacy Retirement Village. . . She's almost 93 . . . and got tired of cleaning the house and PULLING WEEDS! That woman's a beast!

She is also the one who taught me how to clean.

And I'm not saying "clean" but "CLEAN".

It wasn't done right until the CORNERS were clean!

UGH!

So Yesterday, my sister Pam and I went up and finished cleaning the house to get it on the market to sell. By finish up, I mean the top floor. My sister Susan and her husband cleaned the bottom floor and garage.

The Top Floor . . . FOR SEVEN - 7 - SEVEN HOURS!

My name is Erlyn . . . and Scrubbing is my hobby.

Thanks Mom . . .

While I was scrubbing the tub I reflected on the blessing that my dad left my mom. He worked hard to pay off their house in 15 years instead of the 30 years on their mortgage.

He contemplated doing a reverse mortgage, but decided against it.

And now I was cleaning this very same house that I grew up in, and he paid off early, so that my mom could live the rest of her life in security, comfort, having meals prepared, housekeeping and maintenance taken care of, and people around her that lived in her generation and can talk about WWII and know how it FEELS to have gone through that, have kids the same age, and someone to check on her daily.

I didn't have to worry about my mom anymore being broke into (she always kept her back door unlocked) and being harmed, or falling down the stairs and no one there to help her. 

As I reflected on this blessing that my dad provided for my mom, I just breathed a "Thanks Dad" as I felt him near.

Parents are a blessing in our lives . . .

Whether or not we get along 24/7. . . 

And if you're a crappy parent, make things right... NOW.

I didn't always get along with my dad. Our personalities were too similar. But in his later years, every time he saw me he told me how grateful he was that I came into his family. (I'm a bonus baby). He made sure that I knew that he loved me, and told me how awesome I was. That made me feel good after so many years of not getting along with each other.

I think it was having kids that put such a stress on our family. After I married and moved out, my parents got along great. So if you're in this boat, hang in there. AND forgive each other. I know that there was a lot of forgiveness on both my parent's sides. It helped make my siblings and my adult lives more stable, and a great example of marriage for all of us.

My parent's were married almost 70 years when my dad passed. What an achievement!

Because of time constraints, and an aching body, I counted scrubbing floors, cupboards, cabinets, bathrooms and the kitchen as a good replacement for my yoga.

. . . except I don't hurt like this after yoga . . .

I could hardly wait to get home and take a bath! Not only to get clean, but to relax my muscles!!! Yay Epsom Salts!

One could say that I felt as much joy as this!

I think that picture pretty much explains things!

Today I actually got up at 9am! instead of noon to 2pm that I was planning on! WHAAAAT????

That is so odd! But I can say that I have been drinking the Shakeology every day. Again, I think that there is something to this Shake. . .

I was able to get up this morning, earlier than expected, and do my yoga and actually MOVE! even though I woke up stiff!

I am going to have my Shakeology after I write this blog, and then I'm going to clean my OWN house! 

Heaven only knows Mom's house smells way better than my own! So I'm going to take the training my mom gave me on cleaning and apply it here! FINALLY!

My hubster is hopeful, and says he'll believe it when he sees it. Smart Alek!

(He usually proves me wrong... I hope he's not right today)

So to conclude, I just want to post a few pictures that I took with my faithful selfie-stick! Pam and I took my Mom down to Saint George, Utah last summer for a trip to Tuachan to see the shows, a drive to Virgin City to see where Mom's Great-Grandfather, Alexander Wright, helped settle the Cotton Mission with the Mormon Pioneers, and to happen upon the greatest wood-fired pizza! YUM! We had a wonderful time with my mom and am so grateful we took the opportunity to spend that time with her! This summer would have been too late. The trip would just be too much for her to handle right now.

Pam, Mom and I at Tuachan, playing with the selfie stick!

Being "Sexy" at Tuachan

Whoops! I found the "fish-eye" lens! Let the FUN Begin!

I am having WAY too much fun! We started making faces in this
fish-eye lens, and then got the kids sitting in front of us involved.
.... Selfie Sticks can reach through crowds y'all!!!

Zions Canyon I believe...???

We found the wood-fired pizza on the side of the road. Since we were
on an adventure, Pam yells out from the back seat,
"Go see what that is!" as we drove past.U-turns are
in my repertoire' so we headed back! So glad we did!

Mom with PIZZA!!!

In Virgin City, mom pointing to her grandfathers name
 "William Walters Wright" on a city monument.

Close-up of Mom pointing to her grandfathers name

Mom thought this was the home where her
great Grandfather might
have lived in Virgin City, Utah.

Mom and I at the Virgin City Cemetary at the grave of
Alexander Wright
a Mormon Pioneer
and the first LDS missionary to Scotland.
Companion of Elder Mulliner

I am so grateful for my parents!

They gave me life, they gave me a great heritage of which I am proud to be a descendant of.

But most of all, they gave me Love.

Thanks Mom and Dad. You are AWESOME!

and I love you!

Alice Taylor Groneman and Earl Rose Groneman Jr.

I hope you take this day to be grateful for your parents and your family. There is good in all people. Sometimes we just need to look a little bit deeper, be a little more grateful, and express our love first. It makes miracles happen. Trust me on this. The blog post is long enough.

I am off to my Shakeology and scrubbing my own house!

Here's what I'm making today!

Shakeology of the Day:

in a blender add:

8-12 oz cold water or *almond milk

1 scoop Chocolate Vegan Shakeology

1 small or 1/2 large banana

1/2 tsp almond flavor

1/2 tsp Cinnamon (helps with inflammation)

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1-2 cups cubed Ice

Blend until Ice is slushy and you have a "shake" :)

*1 yellow

1 purple

1 red

Drink to your health!

**** if you would like to try or buy shakeology, you can go to my website, http://www.shakeology.com/en_US/?sn=fibrocoach

Have a great day! -Erlyn

Fibromyalgia is Like Bumping Your Elbow...

Fibromyalgia Flares Suck!

But they don't need to suck the life out of your life. Even if you are stuck on the couch ALL. DAY. LONG.

Today has been one of those days that I appreciate more the people that fight with Chronic Illness. The Invisible Illnesses that no one sees, and judges this community for being hypochondriacs. I know you do, because i used to be in your gang! If you can't see the illness, then it must not be there, right? What a bunch of whiners! That used to be my thoughts. I'm sorry for my past thoughts years ago. I was wrong.

Most days I personally feel pretty good. As long as I have spared the "spoons" and only use what are allotted per day. (You can find information on the spoon theory here.)

Yesterday I was doing pretty good, and tried to watch my spoons. . . until it was time to bake the Sourdough bread I made. It ended up taking 1 1/2 hours to bake because I made a BIG loaf! Augh! I ended up going to bed at 1am. Not a smart move after so much activity and starting the day yesterday with a migraine. But the bread needed baking. I used extra spoons and today I paid for it.

My WHOLE body hurts! Even the joints in my fingers and toes. The analogy of fibromyalgia feeling like hitting your elbow is the analogy I shared with my husband a few months ago when we were on a cruise. (The photo above with the analogy is from that cruise) I think he finally understood.

So while I have laid here on the couch today, feeling normal in my head, but regretting getting up and doing things as needed, I have had a few thoughts.

• Yoga pants are just as good as pajama pants - probably better because they are like compression pants and hug your butt and legs, helping them to not hurt as much as they could! 

• Humor is appreciated, even if I don't feel like laughing. It helps me be happy, and appreciative of good times during crappy days.

• It's a nice thing that you can piggy-back medicine for pain to refrain from opioids. It helps take the edge off - even if it doesn't take the pain away. It makes it bearable.

• Just because you have a hard day doesn't mean you aren't fighting the fight. Some days are just harder than others, and it's ok to rest to live to fight another day.

• Probably the most productive thing I learned today is that I can still do my yoga on a pain day. After having to rest after a hot bath today, and then resting after making food, I finally had the energy and desire to do my 3-Week Yoga Retreat from Beach Body. I felt better for a few minutes after the workout. More tired, but not as achy. It was a good trade. Then I drank my Shakeology with Cinnamon, Cayenne Pepper and Pineapple to reduce inflammation.

• And I'm thankful for Shakeology to give me some energy and reduce my hunger when I don't have the energy to make food. . . much less take a shower...

I hope that everyone had an awesome day today and learned something on your own journey! 

As for me? It's time to just rest... so I can go eat and finish my Container's of food to meet my calories for the day. I am still committed to living the Beach Body diet, doing the exercises, drinking the Shakeology and writing my experiences. Today has been tough, and honestly, writing this blog today has taken way more energy than I should have spent. But I am determined to chronicle my journey in case it works! If it does, I need to leave a path for others to follow. 

Instead of ending with a recipe today, I'm going to end with a poem that I love. 

The Bridge Builder

BY WILL ALLEN DROMGOOLE

An old man going a lone highway,

Came, at the evening cold and gray,

To a chasm vast and deep and wide.

Through which was flowing a sullen tide

The old man crossed in the twilight dim,

The sullen stream had no fear for him;

But he turned when safe on the other side

And built a bridge to span the tide.

“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,

“You are wasting your strength with building here;

Your journey will end with the ending day,

You never again will pass this way;

You’ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide,

Why build this bridge at evening tide?”

The builder lifted his old gray head;

“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,

“There followed after me to-day

A youth whose feet must pass this way.

This chasm that has been as naught to me

To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;

He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;

Good friend, I am building this bridge for him!”

Well THAT Was Weird!!!

I never dreamed I would throw a perfectly good dinner away. . . but I did. 

Yesterday was the wedding of my Dad-in-Law and his new Wife. They had a sweet short ceremony with family and friends, followed by a catered dinner buffet. It was lovely.

I had worried all day about eating healthy, but turns out I really didn't need to worry. I had forgotten to drink my Shakeology before we left to get all the food, so I had my daughter bring it to the wedding. . . 

And I was struck with an extremely odd dilemma...

I had all this healthy food in front of me. . . 

I had planned for the healthy food . . .

I didn't want the healthy food. . . 

I WANTED the Shakeology! 

Who gives up a roast beef dinner for a protein drink? Really?

Turns out yes, really. 

I ended up throwing away most of my dinner, and I drank the Shakeology instead. And I was perfectly satisfied. 

I. Did. Not. Expect. That. !.

I wish I could explain what happened, but this is all new to me also. I CAN share what Shakeology is though. And maybe that will explain what is going on. 

• BeachBody refuses to use artificial sweeteners (Which is great as I am refusing to eat them anymore. I only eat natural sweeteners ie; honey, agave, etc)

• It's identified as a "Superfood" that is Nutrient Dense.

• It's loaded with Premium Protein and Amino Acids that help build lean muscle and reduce cravings. (I have NOT craved Diet Coke for a week since I started Shakeology. . . if that says anything)

• It's got Antioxidants and Super-fruits that help fight free radicals and support your Immune System. Free radicals are one element that encourages cancer in bodies. (The immune system protection was why I was willing to finally give it a chance!)

• Phytonutrients and Super-Greens are also in it. They support health and vitality. 

• Adaptogen Herbs that help body adapt and respond to the effects of Stress in your life.

• Shakeology has Probiotics, Prebiotics and Fiber that support the gut, help with regularity and healthy digestion. (I do NOT have a large intestine, so "regularity" is not a problem for me. But what I've found is that I am not as "loose" as I used to be! It's helping MY gut too! Yay!)

• It has digestive  Enzymes that help with nutrient absorption (which is HUGE for me and others with IBS, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohns, are Underweight, have had Gastric Bypass surgery, etc. This is another reason why I am giving Shakeology a chance. Nutrient absorption is huge with me. I am somewhat malnourished because of my J-pouch. Seems like the only "nutrient" that doesn't have a problem getting through is fat. )

• And Shakeology has Vitamins and Minerals that support Key body functions. 

As I type this list I think I can see WHY my body craved the Shakeology over the salad and meat. . . It's because I can DIGEST and ABSORB it! Interesting....

So this is a report to myself, and an accounting to you my readers, and also information for those seeking a healthier lifestyle. 

I survived the wedding. I ate healthy. And I found out a little bit more about myself. 


As I contemplated if I should write this on my Sabbath, I decided that this WAS appropriate. I believe that God has given us our bodies to take care of. We only get one of them and we don't get to trade them. We get them with all their glory, and all their problems. 
Our bodies teach us a lot if you really think about it. And no one is going to take care of  them for us! WE have to make that CHOICE whether or not we are going to treat them as the temples we are told they are. Even if.

I have a picture hanging in my home that I love. It says:

Sometimes we get to have the healthy bodies from the start, and we get to keep them through out our lives.

And Sometimes we have bodies that aren't so healthy, or that have become unhealthy, either by our own choice or by accident, and we have to live in them. 

For me, the storm is raging. And for me, I choose to let God calm me and protect me. I have done everything I could for my sick body. I have tried to keep healthy, but found that I was starting to drown in the sea. 

Beach body and Shakeology are my lifevest, put in my life at a time, I believe by God - through friends - that is giving me a chance to save the health that I have left. 

I can say that I am glad I started this journey. I feel stronger than I did a week ago. I am 3 pounds lighter than I was a week ago. I feel more energized than I was a week ago. I can say that something is happening here. It will be interesting to see if it lasts long term. I hope that it does.

If you would like more information you can comment below. I hope that you all have a wonderful day, and know that someone cares enough to write this blog so that you can maybe find your way to a healthier YOU!  I am not doing this to sell product. I am doing this because I know how much people can hurt. How much they can feel helpless and alone and not know where to turn for help when they have tried everything they can to feel better. I am hoping that you can follow my journey and perhaps better yours as well.

I'd like to hear from you if you'd care to comment on your own journey!