ThyForLife

There is a new app, have you seen it? Have you used it? I have seen it, I haven’t used it, but I will as soon as it’s available for iPhone users. I won’t deny YOU the opportunity a moment longer though!

This is not a promoted post, simply an FYI, Google Play Store has launched ThyForLife, a new thyroid tracker app. This app allows users to keep track of their thyroid conditions. 

ThyForLife enables users to monitor their thyroid condition by inputting bloodwork, medication and weight data all in one place. The app will send reminders whenever it is time for users to take their medication allowing them to spend less time worrying about their health and more time on the things that matter. 

Natalia Lumen, Founder and CEO of ThyForLife, found out that she had thyroid cancer in 2017 during a regular wellness check. "Three years ago I was really busy building my career as a management consultant at Bain & Company and thyroid cancer has caught me by complete surprise, it came out of nowhere. Being on the operating table twice was a lot to deal with, but what came next was even more daunting". After struggling to keep track of numerous daily medications and monthly blood test results, Lumen decided to create an app to help herself and other thyroid patients have all of this information on their mobile device. This was shared in the company press release.

In the near future, ThyForLife is planning on adding additional functions so users will be able to connect with other members in the thyroid community and set reminders for doctor appointments.

I love health apps, reminders and always focus on self-care. Check it out and share your thoughts.

You can download ThyForLife's thyroid tracking app in the Google Play Store at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thyforlife.android&hl=en.

ThyForLife is a health-tech company based in Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 2020, ThyForLife has reached over 150 downloads on the Google Play store after its first week of launch and will be expanding coverage to the App Store in the next few months.

It’s 2020, Ha!

Laters 2019 ~ Clearwater Beach became my spring & summer beach destination, while I spent a chunk of fall in Texas, with a stop in Washington, D.C. in between. As always, lots of love, flights and football; a move happened in the mix too! iHeart all the memories, seeing Oprah, laughter with friends, my sweet babies (becoming an auntie again) & preparing for the next flight.

Happy New Year, it’s 2020!!

Greetings From Facebook

Let’s Share Dialogue is now on Facebook too! I’m sharing blog posts, what I’m reading and my favorite things. Pop over for a visit, and share.

https://m.facebook.com/shemekarsumrall/

Counteract Seasonal Affective Disorder

I have been working a lot, like most, and in need of a major reset. The winter in Iowa was been brutal. I’m not being dramatic or exaggerating, I’m staying a fact; speaking the truth. It was brutal. We had lots of snow and ice, it was a weekly occurrence, and it started months ago in November. Now, spring has sprung, and we are hoping for warmer days, sunny skies and looking forward to flowers blooming. 

Back to that reset...yes, I had a long winter, and managed to stay somewhat balanced. However, after my fall travels, I slowed down. With the change in seasons, I try to travel more to counteract the possibility of battling seasonal affective disorder. I’ve realized that for me personally, when I travel near, around or during our time change, I have a more positive experience with transitioning into the next season. Travel enhances my mood, gives me energy and life, and perks me up. Whether you take a weeklong trip to some place far away or an extended weekend outside of your hometown, getting away from the norm, and the daily grind is a great way to do us in you, and to press that reset button. 

May you find joy on your journeys and be blessed! 

Refreshed after my stay on Clearwater Beach Island ~ Shemeka 

New Favorites

It’s been a while since I’ve shared a few is my favorite things. I’ve been reading, reflecting and collecting, as usual. I’ll be writing in upcoming posts about what I’m learning from my readings, and what I’m doing for personal and career development in addition to sharing more about my favorite things. 

Teaser: My personal development involves seeing one of my favorite people - Oprah Winfrey! I’m screaming! Are you screaming yet?!?

Here are a few of my newbies. I love my finds from Anthropology. These tortoise shell hair clips are so cute. I love their floral jewelry travel case is beyond lovely. It makes keeping up with all my pretties easy while traveling. My new pouch is monogrammed. Who doesn’t love personalizes items?!! 

That’s all for now. Be well, and feel well!

Happy Thyroid Awareness Month

January is Thyroid Awareness Month. Just a quick note and reminder for all. Daily those who suffer from thyroid conditions live their lives, and may look like rockstars while feeling like a hot mess on the inside. Be mindful, love and be kind. Most importantly, if you suffer from a thyroid health condition, love yourself, and remember it’s okay to push that reset button. #justmeeks #raiseawareness
~ Shemeka

Sharing on Facebook

Let’s Share Dialogue is now on Facebook too! I’m sharing blog posts, what I’m reading and my favorite things. Pop over for a visit, and share.

https://m.facebook.com/shemekarsumrall/

Cheers!

Shemeka 

And Then I Remembered

Time, it comes, it goes. It slows, it speeds up, it's up, it's down, it's big, it's small...it's a lot like me living with hypothyroidism! Sometimes my vitamins are like time - they get away from me!

When my vitamin regimen gets away from me, I hate to say, it's not something I notice until I'm in bed, in my dress pants and blouse, curled up with my iPhone and laptop nearby right after work. Sometimes it's when a friend or family member asks, "Why are you so tired?" and it's in the middle of the day, or my body aches and I haven't lifted weights, run a mile or gone for a deep tissue massage at my favorite spa.

As time gets away from me, combined with my forgetfulness regarding my vitamins, the following happens to me: sleepiness, achy bones, lethargy, brain fog, and sometimes irritability goes up! Recently, I remembered, when my second consecutive week of post work naps came to an end, that I hadn't been taking my Vitamin D. I hadn't been taking my B Vitamins, probiotics, biotin or chromium. Sometimes it happens. Sometimes I forget. Sometimes like time, my vitamins get away from me.

Think about how you're feeling, and take inventory of your feelings. It might not be the flu. It might not be a cold, or even a virus. Something just might be missing. If you have thyroid disease, or another condition surgically induced, autoimmune or a birthright, do inventory of your feelings and make sure you add back what's missing in your life. Your body will love you for it! Consider also eating food sources that are rich in these great vitamins too!

Mind in Motion

Hi friends, last week, on Thursday, I had the honor of meeting Leigh Weinraub, acclaimed tennis athlete and catalyst for innovative therapy and positivity. Her message literally spoke to me. Her event at my corporate office, in honor of Women’s History Month, focused on heightened awareness, increased confidence and real results.

During the day, we have various “things” that pop up, are thrown at us, or that are simply scheduled on our Outlook calendars, agendas, and on floating sheets of paper that we carry in our purses, backpacks, pockets and vehicles. My message to you would be to make time for you. Don’t ever be “too busy” to take care of you, to read a chapter of that book, to walk around the pond, or to meet a real life tennis pro turned superstar motivator who genuinely cares for those she comes in contact with daily. Leigh, the gift you shared shall continue to be spread to those we come into contact with daily, which means that smile will keep on keeping on.

Have a great day, smiles,

Shemeka

Happy New Year!

Smile, because you have been blessed with a new day! Happy Thyroid Awareness Month!

Fatigue Be Gone!

This morning I woke up happy. I’m always happy when I wake up. I don’t always necessarily want to brave what the day has in store for me, but I’m literally happy for being blessed with another day in which I can choose my adventure. Today though, I was particularly happy because I snapped out of my extreme fatigue. 

Every September, since having hypothyroidism, I’ve been prone to an extended period of fatigue. It happens about twice a year, but in the fall it’s worse than in the spring. This year it lasted three weeks. If you suffer from a thyroid health condition, I KNOW you can relate. Pure exhaustion hits, brain fog stifles your speech and memories, and at times sleep doesn’t even feel like the answer. Usually I experience seasonal depression too. It just totally sucks.

This year was different, and I’ll tell you why. If you follow my blog, and you know me, I’m not about negativity. Regardless of how many shitty things that happen in life, no matter the endless battles many of us face with life in general, and chronic illnesses, we get to choose how we respond to our adventure. I love the Iowa State University (I’m an alumna) commercials, and each time I see them I smile because it’s a constant reminder that we have choices. In regards to our thyroid health, this means that we can control something in regards to our personal well-being. And if it’s regarding your career, do what you love and have a passion for, that’s living.

This year, instead of withdrawing completely from friends, activities, and just “resting” at home, I kept my commitments, and I made a commitment to myself. I did cardio four times a week, regardless of the day, regardless of how I was feeling; I powered thru it. If you have the right playlist, running happens, weight training happens, and you feel better. When you make personal commitments that impact your emotional, physical and mental health, you can go from feeling okay to good, good to better, and better to best.  

It’s Monday, TGIM! Smile and be blessed,

S

Beyond Thankful

It is with much joy that I share that healthline has recognized Let’s Share Dialogue for a second year in a row! It’s truly an honor to be on their list of best thyroid health blogs for the year 2017!! Their words of recognition, and acknowledgment of my blog, and positivity, make me feel included and understood.

May your days be inspired; may you continue to be encouraged, as I wish the same for myself, as we continue to share dialogue!

All smiles,

Shemeka

Fatigue, What Fatigue?

I have been enjoying my summer. I had the opportunity to spend some time in Disney World, which was truly magical. I clocked so many steps; you can’t help but to be active when playing at the Magic Kingdom and taking in all the lovely flower arrangements at Epcot Center. I went to the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. It was truly amazing. I’ve included some pictures below.

Since being diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, and I say since loosely, because it wasn’t until after I had my thyroid removed that I actually got a diagnosis, I experience bouts with fatigue. This past spring was rough. I kept wondering when I would snap out of it. Two things I was mindful of during this time that may be easily overlooked when fatigue sets in:

• Stick to a sleep schedule
• Vitamin D

If you’re like me, you’re tired, daily, and going to bed nightly is like taking a long nap. During my last visit with my endocrinologist, my lap results showed that my Vitamin D levels were extremely low, so my dosage was increased. Vitamin D helps me to feel better when it comes to:

• Achy bones
• Tiredness and a general sense of not feeling well
• And it helps with the absorption of calcium, which is really important to me as a woman with lactose intolerance

I hope these nuggets have been beneficial and magical for you. Enjoy your summer!

 

 

 

Cheers,

Shemeka

I Challenge You!

Happy Friday, y’all! April showers came earlier than expected, but hey, I had a mild winter. I can handle this. I hope you’re enjoying weather that is manageable and staying focused on being healthy, with a sound mind, beating heart and peak thyroid health.

Today, I’m wondering what you aren’t doing that you could be doing to promote optimum thyroid health. If you’re anything like me, intrigued and interested in reading as many articles as you can get your hands on as it relates to thyroid health, sometimes you get bogged down by all the tips, recommendations and tricks. Today I challenge you to pick one thing to focus on doing differently over the next 10 days. I think you’ll find that by day five, you may be inclined to do an additional thing differently.

Consider the following ideas:

• Drink Plenty of Water
• Take your vitamin D consistently
• Take an afternoon walk three times a week
• Cut carbs and dairy (trust me, your body will love you for this one!)
• Meal prep on Sunday (cook your protein, prepare veggies, and your lunch is set for the week!) 

You don’t have to do all of the above over the next 10 days, but you should consider starting with one of these. If one or two of the items on my list are already habits for you, go for the one you need to revive or the one that is completely new.

#TGIF,

Shemeka

Recognition

Recognition is a lovely expression. I received another award for my blog! Thank you #feedspot! @feedspotapp #justmeeks #letssharedialogue #livingwithhypothyroidism 💃🏾💙✌🏾💋

Thyroid Awareness Month

Thinking of everyone who endures thyroid health struggles on the daily.

Happy Thyroid Awareness Month!

S

And Just Like That...It's 2017

Greetings from Nashville!

Travel is one of my favorite things. Every year I go to new places. I had the pleasure of traveling to Nashville for the first time over the holiday weekend. It's quite lovely there. The music, energy and general affinity for up and coming artists there was quite fantastic.

Let's be sure we make time for ourselves in 2017 to travel to new places!

Cheers,
Shemeka

Artsy & Dale Chihuly

TGIF, dolls!

 

I hope the week has been beyond good to all. It’s hard to believe we are winding down 2016 already. While most people are already preparing for the new year, I’m hanging out in my corner of the world thrilled that it’s Friday. With that being said, I’ll share a little tidbit of inspiration with you on this day.

 

I encourage you to take a look at Dale Chihuly’s work featured on Artsy. He is one of my favorites. His glass sculptures are nothing short of simply amazing. They are quite captivating. I’ve had the privilege of seeing several pieces, from Las Vegas to the Bahamas’ very own Paradise Island. Artsy reached out to me directly to share. It’s an honor, and my site now bares their badge, and with having shared that, enjoy!

 

Best wishes on this Friday,

Shemeka  

healthline

Hi, friends! 

TGIF! I can't believe it's November already. I hope this finds you doing well, feeling good and smiling in your corner of the world. 

I have been recognized for my blog, by healthline! This is such an amazing honor. Being listed with some of my favorite thyroid health advocates, whose experiences inspire and impact others, is not only awarding, but inspiring. Thank you for your recognition and support! 

Please be sure to view my badge on this blog, and read the article on www.healthline.com!

Have a safe and fun weekend!

Thyroid Brave

Hello, dolls! Today is a new day and I'm sending you love, happiness and inspiration. Be Thyroid Brave! Love yourself, love your thyroid health and make any necessary changes to be the healthiest you possible!

Today, I am Thyroid Brave! 

Be well,

Shemeka