Thyroid Awareness Month - Let's Discuss Constipation

Happy Thyroid Awareness Month! This year I want to discuss symptoms and how they relate to me. I encourage you to join a on the conversation and share dialogue with me. I'm going to throw the first symptom out there right now. 

Constipation. I said it. Things slowed considerably down for me when I began my struggles with hypothyroidism, and they never really picked back up. I'm lactose intollerant, so from time to time, I'd have a scoop of ice cream or yogurt and that would send me to the bathroom in a matter of seconds. That is no longer the case. That creamy goodness is horrible and wouldn't move for me even if I prayed, without a little stimulant boost.

When you have hypothyroidism, several of your body's functions slow down. I have days when I feel like I'm moving in slow motion. My mind even slows down. Constipation is one of those symptoms that has been long standing for me, I've come to terms with having it as a lasting symptom, but I try to fight it. Sometimes, it beats me. However, on the regular, no pun intended. Trust me, my regular is another woman's insanely irregular.

I try these things to get things moving:

Water - A lot, daily.

Exercise - Think about walking. If you walk for about 20 minutes, you can get things moving. Be regular in walking, or moving around, and that can spark something for you, something inside you!

Veggies & Berries - I love all vegetable. I am selective when it comes to fruits. Raspberries and blueberries are delicious and fiberlicious! Your colon will love you.

Spinach - I love spinach, whether it's served hot or cold. I usually eat it with salmon a few times a week, paired with a brisk walk and at least 72 ounces of water on those salmon and spinach days, and I get things moving, pun most definitely intended!

Fiber supplements or stimulant and herbal laxatives: Depending on what type of despair I am in, these are my alternative options. If I am feeling sick, bloated, and begin experiencing headaches and start having nightmares about toxic overload, then I reach for something in this selection. Don't overuse or abuse. Seek relief, and do so with discretion. Love yourself first and when you do, you will see that your body will love you in return, even on those days that it's a definite struggle.

Do what works for you. Tell me what you have noticed in your thyroid health in the area of constipation. I've read that people aren't talking about it. Let's make it a symptom that people start talking about. Excuse me, I need to run to the ladies room.

Good day!

What's in my bag?

Hey friends hey!! TGIF!

Hello Kitty Water Bottle

I made a quick appearance at the gym today. I did a 30 minute circuit blast (I only tripped once while stepping in between machines today), and that’s all I had for. If you can work out for at least 30 minutes a day, a few times a week, you have it going on. And, 20 minutes is better than no minutes. Sometimes we get it in our minds that we have to work-out for hours on in to have a good workout, but that’s not the truth. Depending upon what you are doing, trying to achieve and what your fitness and health goals are, you can mix things up. Do what works for you.

philosophy Goodie Bag

This morning at work I was gifted by a dear friend. My gifts include tinsel town lip gloss by philosophy, a fabulous lip balm by MAC and gluten free lip balm by HURRAW. Oprah introduced her to this balm. I love trying new products. I’m currently trying out the grapefruit lip balm, and loving the fact that it’s gluten free. MAC is one of my all-time favorites. Thanks, Ms. Pati!

iPad & iPhone

I never leave home without them. I carry my iPad in this cool kate spade case called the Journal. It’s like having want ads in a newspaper protecting my iPad. It’s inspirational and great. Apple, that’s where it’s at!

Orange kate spade Wallet & Organizer

The color orange has made its way to my favorite shade list. Over the summer my mom and I went shopping, and she picked out a few things for me, and said I needed to brighten my wardrobe. And so I did. Six months later, orange is a color I cannot live without. My new post-it notes are really cute, floral in shape with stars for designs, they are orange. I love this color.

I decided this past fall that while I do use my calendar on my iPhone since it syncs up nicely into my world, I still wanted to have an organizer to throw my bills, notes and ideas into. That’s when I saw and fell in love with my kate spade planner. It’s truly marvelous. The sayings, pictures, designs and colors (black with a green closure), are lively and inviting. I picked up a calendar for my workspace that matches this collection while shopping in Chicago last week. To get the collection, just look for the Ace of Spades…this calendar is vibrant and full of colors.

Self

The magazine. I’m still trying to finish reading the September 2011 issue with Jennifer Hudson on the cover. I don’t ever dare toss a magazine without reading it. Even when I’m finished with it, I pass it on to share or I recycle. I’m enjoying this issue.

Key Fob

My car requires a key fob to operate. Just yesterday I tossed my gym bag into the trunk of my car and then shut the trunk. I heard some beeping. It didn’t lock. THANK YOU KEY FOB! It’s just that smart.  I feel as if this concept was created for me and those like me who may nonchalantly leave their keys in the car or trunk when hurrying off to the gym…DOINK! (Thank you NeNe for that word. iLove!)

Larabar

I always carry something to eat. Today I’ve got a Larabar in Apple Pie. I get hungry!

That’s it, aside from a few bills and post-it notes to help me remember things. I love sharing little pieces of me with you. I like when you share too. What’s going on in your purse, pockets and messenger bags?

Have a great weekend, darlings.

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!