Feelin' Fresh Friday

Happy Friday to you, dolls. Take a seat, unwind and get a whiff of these fresh flowers. It's hard to believe we are approaching a new year, already! Everyone is in their "new gym", resolutions, and toxic friends removal mode. I too am in that mix! I'm just saying!

Healthy Life
To my thyroid friends, I hope you continue to share your trials, successes, and rants with our friends in the thyroid health community. You have been a support to me and many others over the past few years, and I will continue to share dialogue with you about thyroid health topics and my own experiences. Time is moving fast, even when we are enduring long days filled with bouts of fatigue, and feeling lethargic...but you have to remember to keep moving and this episode soon will pass. 

What's working for you?
Tell me what works for you when you aren't on the up and up? Here's what is working for me:

* Daylight Midday - Take a few minutes out of your day to take an afternoon stroll and take in some natural sunlight. This will work wonders for your soul, day and spur an afternoon burst of energy in you.

* Fruit & Veggie Day - Pick one day of the week to load up on fruits and vegetables. Your digestive track, skin and mood will love you for it! It's a quick and easy way to get more vitamins in your diet, and a motivating factor in changing your health behavior. On my fruit and veggie days, I like to eat a Larabar for breakfast, a spinach salad with avocados for lunch and steamed veggies with rosemary and olive oils for dinner. These days remind me of my days as a vegetarian, they are nostalgic and delicious.

* Smile - Smiles are the bomb! They are contagious and can be seductive and flirty with a splash of innocence. You could be smiling for reasons that no one else even has to know the reason, only you. Doesn't that sound like fun? Are you smiling yet? I am, right back at ya, boo!

Peace and blessings,
S

Let's Catch Up

What's good!?

My hiatus, departure, adrenal fatigue, timeout....it's over...at least for the time being. I cannot believe it's already December, and it's been quite a while since I have blogged, but I have been writing, focusing on my health/wellness, and adjusting to a new assignment. 

This month I was welcomed to Pinterest! I am in utter amazement by all the boards that I have seen, and I've not even begun to chip the surface. Who is interested in learning more? 

iPad, how you doing? I am experiencing a sudden bout of information, technology and much more overload. I intend to get better acquainted with my new friend this month, needless to say, I'll be completing tutorials, asking questions of my mother (an Apple Queen), and doing my happy dance. 

Stay tuned,
S


 

Thyrant

I love when Katie and the gang at dearthyroid encourage a Thyrant because it seems that given the day and age that we live in, and for those of us with thyroid conditions particularly, we need to let some things out. If you haven’t visited dearthyroid, do so!

I am just now reading a post that was published on May 3, by Katie herself. It’s truly thought provoking. Twice a year I find myself fighting my thyroid disease, tired out, feeling lost and wishing for my old self to return. I honestly miss my pre-hypothyroid self. I’ve read that many of you do too! In her post, Katie addresses chronic worthlessness and questions whether or not it’s synonymous with chronic illness. Read, reflect and feel free to comment.

I hope this finds you living well.

Let's Share Dialogue: I'm Awake

Let's Share Dialogue: I'm Awake: "Hello all! I feel like I’ve lost my mind, literally. I’ve this blog, I created it, and I have been busy working, and reading and writing but..."

I'm Awake

Hello all! I feel like I’ve lost my mind, literally. I’ve this blog, I created it, and I have been busy working, and reading and writing but not sharing! Sharing is what it’s all about. And WOW, I’ve a lot to share. So, let’s get this dialogue going.

It’s spring where I live. The sun decided to return, so that means my winter blahs are in the process of banishing, but I’m fighting to keep my energy levels up. It happens about this time yearly for me, so I’ve been trying to stay active. I wonder what my other hypo friends are doing to beat fatigue. If you feel like sharing, let me know. I’ve a few things I do in these times.

Nap ~ If my body says sleep, I sleep. Our bodies speak to us, but the question is: Do we listen to our bodies? I often take power naps. Sometimes 10 to 20 minutes does me a world of good, but when I feel like Jell-O, I don’t set an alarm. I simply lie down, I fall asleep and when I wake, I wake.

Yoga & Pilates ~ Practicing Yoga allows me to clear my mind of all things. When I attend my Bikram Yoga classes, I focus solely on my poses and clearing my mind. It’s so relaxing and calming for me. I look forward to Yoga and Pilates classes alike. Pilates strengthens me. The exercise is good. If you can attend Yoga or Pilates classes in your part of the world, try it out. Tell me what you think and how it helps you with your energy levels.

Got Veggies? ~ I have allergies, and troubles digesting certain foods. Sometimes I have to switch up my diet. I was a vegetarian for two years and a Vegan for two and a half years. I remember how good I felt living a veggie lifestyle, but now I try to focus on what I need to take in to feel good. When I’m feeling a bout of extreme fatigue taking over me, I try to eat more veggies and lean protein, think spinach, salmon and salads rich in cabbage, mushrooms and my favorite: red onions!! I try to avoid simple carbs, and some complex like wheat, due to allergies. It’s hard for me to digest wheat and gluten-ridden foods. They cause me to be sluggish, and that hinders my energy levels. Listen to your body, figure out what makes you feel good – eat that, unless of course it’s a mountain of cupcakes. Just have one and keep it moving. What makes you feel bad – leave that alone, run away from those things.

Talk to Mom ~ My mom knows when I’m tiring out, doing too much, running around too often. She gives me a reality check. Who in your life can give you that check and help you get on course to being a healthier and more energized version of yourself? When you know, visit with him or her and simmer down. You’ll feel better in the long-run.

I often hit the Web to see what works for others living with hypothyroidism in times of extreme fatigue. When you are tired out, you want to do something fast to wake yourself up. Not all sources can be trusted, not everything will work for you the way it works for someone else, but in due time you will figure out what it is you have to do to be the healthier and more energized version of YOU. What are you waiting for? Get to it...right after your power nap!

Be Vocal!

TGIF, everyone! I hope your week has been a fascinating one. I learned a few new things about myself and my friends this week. I regrouped, started revamping my career path, helped a girlfriend with her thyroid education and inspired her to not be shy about getting a second opinion and fostering a better relationship with her endocrinologist. Sometimes it’s hard to put it out there, to say I’m fat, choking every minute and glued to my couch – what’s become of me!?, only to have your endo brush it off.  If I can inspire and encourage anything, it would be to inspire and encourage you to BE VOCAL when it comes to your health concerns.

Enjoy your weekend and BE VOCAL in all areas of your life! It can only lead to success. S;)

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Fundraising Event

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Fundraiser ~ Russell Construction Team "Music For Life" featuring Fultons Underground (my dad's band) is Saturday, April 16, 2011 @ 1-5PM @ Great River Brewery, 332 E. 2nd St., Davenport. Live music, food, raffle and great brews. Come support Heroes of the Red, White, Cure. Come on by if you're in the area and support this amazing cause.