Monday, October 13, 2014

Mom is Gandalf

For those that may have been interested or following my journey to health - here's my status update. I have been medication free since March 2014. That's 7 months, people! No chemotherapy, no anti depressant, no anti anxiety, no sleeping pills, no steroids, no suppositories, nada.

NO FLARES.

But this doesn't mean I'm in the clear. It doesn't mean I can stop the regime I am doing. It doesn't mean I can 'ease up a bit' on my strict diet. On the contrary, I must stay the course.

Like many of my life choices, my decisions aren't necessarily understood; as a result, I find myself sort of hiding my decisions. I didn't necessarily go around telling my co-workers, friends, or family that I got off my medication that helped me achieve remission after over a year of horrible pain, bloody stools, and frequent trips to the emergency room and Mayo. That's because I still live with the fear that I may flare again and I don't want to hear 'I told you so'. Because I fear flaring, I treat my diet and exercise like a religion. I rarely stray, and when I do, I feel a lot of guilt. I recently had a 'fun size' candy bar and the guilt I felt after it perhaps made it not worth how delicious it was! I'm not saying you shouldn't treat yourself every once in a while, but when you fear one food triggering a domino effect of symptoms, you find yourself acknowledging processed, sugary foods as poison itself.

In addition to running, I've started implementing circuit training and the practice of yoga. I don't have a gym membership. I intend to run outside until the snow falls. I take screen shots of Instagram fitness accounts' photos that show you different circuit workouts and have found them to be very effective. And I have several yoga DVDs at home. I still have to give myself pep talks, though, to work out....every time. Once I get going, I am fine, but I drag my feet to get around to it. And I think that's pretty normal.

But, primarily, abs are made in the kitchen. And I don't say that lightly! I used to work out quite frequently before I had Oliver. I did running, weight training, yoga, circuits, aerobics. I was probably at the gym 3-4 times a week. But I wouldn't say I was necessarily in peak physical condition, or really felt great. This is because I was drinking pop, eating junk food, and of course, those evil evil grains and processed sugars. Since eliminating these things and getting back to our Neanderthal roots, I've found that eating Paleo enhances and prepares my body for physical activity. I don't feel heavy or weighed down while running. I don't feel like I'm going to barf after doing a few rounds of a circuit. I'm so proud of myself and my body! It's honing into a lean, muscular temple. I don't feel ashamed saying that because it's true and I worked my ass off (literally) to get to this point. I love looking in the mirror and smiling because my reflection is saying "you go, girl! You proved you medical 'professionals', yourself, and all the haters wrong!" I don't know if I necessarily have haters, but those of you who are lurking in the corner, waiting for me to relapse...you're a hater. Go away.

Don't be ignorant or dormant; be proactive! I challenge YOU to give this a try. Walk a month in my shoes and see how amazing the results are. Do your research and really look into what you are putting in your body. The results may scare you. I learn lots of new things in the kitchen while I do my continued research of a Paleo lifestyle. I can't tell you how important it is to continue to educate yourself. When you know better, you do better. I know better than to trust big corporations, pharmaceuticals, and the FDA. I put my trust in what God provided on planet Earth is what's truly needed for a healthy species. I'm not saying there aren't purposes for modern medicine, but they should not be taken without a second thought. Herbs, clean eating, and exercise have been my 'medicine'. And I'm thankful I had the common sense to look further into it. And doesn't that really make more sense to be nutritious, rather than popping a pill to mask the real problem? I really wish, as a society, that we could get away from treating symptoms, and instead promoting healthy living. But I'd say that's wishful thinking at this point in our society.

I am thankful for my select family and friends who have respected my decision to be free of drugs. I am truly indebted to the leaf lady. And I am forever happy for my mama, who always encourages and challenges me to be a better person, do my research, and be my recipe-sharing confidant. Without her, my quest wouldn't have even begun. I'd be Bilbo Baggins in Bag End, living blissfully unaware in the Shire. I guess in this case, mom would be Gandalf. I like Gandalf. :)