Today is a new day...

I am HOME! finally HOME! and when I say that I also mean.. HOME.. like for a while and I can't tell you how MUCH that makes my heart happy. I feel like I have been traveling NON-stop for the last 6 months and had deadlines after deadlines, which only added to the stress and craziness of life. Texas was amazing.. I will tell you more about that experience on Friday, but while I was in Texas, I also had some time to stop and think about life after Texas.. I realized that when I got home, I had NO deadlines, NO commitments, and no place to be jet setting off to next.. and a HUGE smile came across my face!  I was like a kid at Christmas! I almost couldn't wait to get home!
I also had some really great talks with some really great people while I was there. Who gave me some REALLY great advice.. mainly about my health. As you know I have been struggling so much with my Fibro for the last 6 months, and while I haven't openly shared it.. the last 3 months have been utter well.. you know. Just not good.   Seriously I  look back now and don't know how I made it through. I mean I do know. The Lord helped me through, my family helped me through.. but seriously it almost seems impossible what I accomplished. Everything I did with the pain and exhaustion I was feeling on a daily basis. I admit a lot of tears were shed and prayers were offered, just to make it through the day sometimes. It was not good. One thing I decided to do for MYSELF when I got home from Texas was take time for my health. To really figure out what I can do to make it better. To live a healthy life. I mean I realize pain will most likely always exist.. and I can totally handle that. But what I can't handle is the pain that aches so much that I can't think or function. Soo...

today I am starting a new day. A new way of thinking, a new way of life so I can ENJOY my life instead of just making it through the day. I have been so blessed over the last 6 months.. so blessed, don't get me wrong. But I also have never been in so much misery.. truly.. at my knees. misery. Those close to me know what I am talking about.

I have had many friends and family offer me "ideas" and support over the last few months on how to change how I feel, eating differently, exercising, slowing down.. but seriously during these last few months,  all I could think about was my next deadline and that TRULY I didn't have time to take care of my health right now. I was barley sleeping, I didn't have time to make different meals, or go exercise everyday.. believe me when I tell you that I truly was running 24/7.

So while I was sitting in Texas this past weekend.. and just really getting to SIT there and relax and enjoy the time.. I also had the opportunity to talk with some close friends that gave me that FINAL push to just go home and do this for ME. To try something healthy.. because obviously what I was doing was NOT working. I had one last stop before home.. my husband was meeting me in Utah to spend the night and day celebrating our 17 year anniversary.. so on the drive home, I told him all about my plan.. to get better. to FEEL better and he was not only on board.. but really excited and happy I was choosing to finally do this (he was one of the people who has been telling me for months I needed to change what I was doing in order to feel better).

So today I woke up in this ridiculously good mood.. honestly good mood! SO excited to start my day and I wanted to write and share my plans for this summer on what I am going to help myself FEEL better.

Starting today, for 30 days, I am going gluten free, dairy free and sugar free. I am also only eaten whole foods (not processed foods out of the can).  I actually went on this program last spring.. my friend Maria sent me the information and  for 3 weeks I stuck with it and I felt AMAZING (funny how it never occurred to me to try it again).. until this weekend. Actually it's a combination of two things.. one is called The Elimination Diet. I think I may have even wrote about it last year on my blog. who knows.. but the reason I loved this program is because basically you go back to the way you ate as a baby. Fresh fruits and veggies, meats, etc. You do that for 30 days and then after the 30 days you slowly add those other healthy foods like grains and dairy.. back into your diet and see how your body reacts to those things. How they can HANDLE those things. My purpose in doing it is to see if WHAT i have been eating.. and the WAY i have been eating is part of the reason for the pain. After listening to a friend this weekend, tell me a story of a woman with similar problems.. who decided to do go on a program similar to this.. eating healthy and after a few weeks was virtually pain free.. I think that was the FINAL push. PAIN FREE.. wow.. what a concept.  So I will also be following THIS blog this summer.. The Alkaline Sisters..  My friend, Jo Packham, told me of Julie's story.. and I was hooked!  I spent some time this morning ready her blog and her amazing journey to being pain free and living healthy.. so excited to do a combination of both!

Let me be clear, I am NOT doing this to lose weight.. to get skinny (although I have gained 15 pounds since March.. apparently fibro slows down your metabolism too.. nice). But honestly I am okay with my body right now.. what I Am NOT okay with is the pain I live with everyday.. the moments I miss with my family or friends because I am in too much pain to join in. The "foggy" brain I have.. not even getting to "remember the good days because when the bad days are present it seriously clouds any judgement of what is good and happy and right. I am doing this because I am at my whits end.. TRULY at the moment I will try anything to feel good  and live good. I have been to my regular doctors SEVERAL times..and they have prescribed me medicine upon medicine.. with truly no help.

I am also not one who jumps on the band wagon of "going gluten free." or NO dairy! no sugar! I  mean.. come on.. be real.. those are also things God put on the earth for us to live off of, and I don't believe they are bad things..  I truly don't.

but for me and my situation right now, I feel like I need to do this for me. It may not work.. who knows.. but I am at a point I will try anything. I have even looked into things like acupuncture, alternative medicine.. you name it. When  you are in that much pain and can't imagine living your life this way..  and honestly not wanting too.. you realize you need to do something different.

So this is me doing something different. I also HATE to exercise.. i mean don't get me wrong, I love to snowboard, or wake board.. but getting on a treadmill or going to the gym. I just seriously.. BLAH. Yuck. BUT again.. after hearing stories from good friends who tell me they know someone who had Fibro and she starting walking just 30 minutes a day.. and now she feels GReAT.. I have to be honest with myself and say.. okay Christy. As much as you HATE this.. YOU NEED to do this for yourself. If you don't... it's your own fault you feel miserable.

So today is the day! I am kinda excited to document it and share it on my blog too.. it's almost like it's an accountability program!~ lol .. I mean I have all of  YOU wonderful women to be accountable too.. right? so that is why I am putting it out there.. plus I know so many of you have emailed me and facebooked me with similar problems, asking for advice on how to feel better and I have always had to reply.. I don't know how because I am not living better!  So maybe this will help all of us.. just not me, right?

So  every monday I will write an update on how I am feeling, how my change of eating is going, how my exercises went for the week.. maybe some recipes I have to share.. maybe a few tricks I learned. who knows.. I don't have a plan, I just know I am going to start it today and if I make a goal to post my progress on my blog, it will hold me accountable.

So this is what I am going to do: 

•  Exercise at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes. That may include walking, doing yoga, Thai Chi, swimming.. bike riding.. not sure but going to have fun mixing it up.
• I am also going to follow the Elimination Diet for the next 30 days.. which cuts out all processed foods, eating only fresh fruits and veggies, meats, nuts, etc. No gluten, no sugar (processed sugars), and no or little dairy. . ( p.s.  I have never really had a problem with dairy.. so I don't know if that will make much of a difference in how I feel, but at the end of  30 days, I will start to add it back in and see).
• Drinking at least EIGHT - FULL classes of water a day (for me.. that is HUGE. I barley drink 1 class of any liquid a day.. so drinking 8.. wow.. I am going to be peeing A LOT.)
• I am also going to eat ginger twice a day. My sister has been giving me some great advice on certain herbs and spices that can really heal the body and ginger is one of them. So I am kinda doing a mixture of some things I think sounds really good to try.

 

 And that is the Key.. TRY.. it never hurts to TRY anything. I am ready and willing.. and honestly at this point.. if I even felt 10% better than I do right now, I was be jumping for joy.  So I am ready to start!

 Okay.. I will stop talking about it now.. I promise this blog isn't going to turn into me getting all "about being healthy" on you! lol.. but I have always been so honest about who I am with you.. figured I might as well share this journey too. So thanks for letting me to that :)

AND in other news.. I also spent the ride home yesterday writing a list of fun things I wanted to do on my blog this summer.. since I will be home and mainly hanging out.   I thought it would be fun to add something different to my blog!  Maybe some art challenges, or weekly "projects".. or something. I came up with an entire list.. way to many things to accomplish.. so I need to spend some time this week "refining" what it is.. but I hope you will join me in it! I hope to do something to keep my creative juices flowing.. painting projects, mixed media, sewing, jewerly.. want to get my "art" on. I  might even offer a mini workshop or two.. project based workshops.. my mind is whirling with fun ideas!  I also have an entire series of "girls" I want to paint this summer and  a Halloween and Christmas series I want to paint too. Kinda excited to just "play" and also include my kids in this process as well. Gonna be fun... just want to remind myself to keep it light and low key.. stress free.

Anyhow.. I will stop talking now! lol.. this is has been along post with no pictures.. and we know how bored we get with too many words and not enough pictures..  wow. I probably lost you all at " so while I was sitting in Texas" lol..

Okay.. so going to get off my computer right now and head to the grocery store.. oh and I forgot to mention! I told my kids about my new way of eating for 30 days and some of them want to join me too! So I am excited!  We are all going shopping together!  Oh and before I leave.. I am going to announce the winner of the Gilded LIfe May Kit!  almost forgot!!..

okay so the lucky winner of this rocking kit is..

Posted by: Pamela Phillips | June 01, 2011 at 04:10 PM

I will see you all back here on Friday when I share with you my awesome time in  Texas with the Gilded Girls and some other AMAZING women!  The oodies I found and art I made.. and the friendships I strengthened.. can't wait to share that!

Happy Wednesday!

Comments

[Natalie Jane]

You are such an inspiration!!

You don't know me from adam but seriously these things will work for our own health and mental well being :)
I found out these things the hard way after my accident in which i lost the use of my arm after it was crushed by 1.5 tonnes.
Good luck and sending you hugs from across the pond in the uk :) xoxox

[Toni K]

Good for you Christy! It sounds like torture to me ;) but it's great that you are taking care of yourself. Sometimes we all need to take a step back and think about what's best for ourselves. And I read it all! :)

[Anita Van Hal]

Hey Christy...you certainly sound refreshed and renewed! It's good that you're finally able to take some time for yourself! I'm anxious to hear how you new health plan works out! Hugs!

[Rebecca]

Wonderful! I'm excited to hear about the things you are doing for your health--and how I might try to incorporate some of those same things in my life. Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement! :)

Excited to see how the summer unfold with the challenges and projects. I have been lurking on your site for quite some time and want to participate in your workshops as soon as I get a full-time job and can afford the fun! :) Lord willing, it will be soon!

I really love your style and your uniqueness--you truly seem to make art really fun and experimental. And I love that!

Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca

[Kimberly Roberts]

Hi Christy!! so glad you had a blast in TX! it is good that you are taking some time to take care of YOU! i went vegan last summer and wish i would have done it 20 years ago! i have never felt better!!
i am looking forward to your art challenges and mini workshops!

[Elise/One Woman, Reinvented]

Christy,I'm sending all good thoughts that you will find some relief in this process. Take good time for yourself -- you really deserve it, after all you do for others.

[Shelley @ Single Stone Studios]

It is so encouraging to me the way you share your faith. I just love reading your blog. God Bless :)

[Regina]

Christy, good luck with your new life style and life changes. I know you can do it. I hope you can share your summer girls and maybe offer a class or two with some new She girls. the Halloween and Christmas series sounds cool too. Woo Hoo

[AGilded Life]

I will stay accountable with you!!

Must get back on the wagon after our indulgent weekend... love you, and wishing you better health and pain free days! xoxoxo

Debbie

[shar walker]

Christy kudos to you,I also follow a strict diet, theres so many things i cannot have, due to chronic and I mean almost daily migraines...It has helped and also I walk, so good luck, you truly will feel better.

[Jackie]

I look forward to your posts and challenges in art.

[Kim Boken]

Seriously Christy you have inspired me to do something about my fibro too. Summer time is the worst part of the year for me..when the barometer rises, so does the pain, stiffness and exhaustion!
I will be happy to join you! Maybe both of us can feel better!

[Marilyn Johnson]

Sorry that you have been feeling so bad. Fibro is a tough disease to fight. Hang in there though. You inspire us all. Me right now I think I have been going 100 miles a hour for about a year now. I know if I don't slow down and change a few things my health will pay. I am so tired! Going to try and make a few changes also. We are in this together!

[Jean McNulty]

Christy, you have encouraged me to take back my health. While I don't suffer from fibro, I do need to lose 20 pounds and hopefully get rid of the cough I have been told is allergies. I have printed off the Elimination Diet info and I am going to give it a try. Thanks for sharing your heart and getting me off the lazy girl wall:) God Bless.

[Leora]

GOOD FOR YOU SIS!!I am so happy for you. We should try and shoot to do a run next summer together. I hope that all of this works for you...you deserve to be pain free.

[Eileen]

I so hope this works for you. Can't imagine living with the pain of fibro but I know that what you eat can make a huge difference for anyone, with or without fibro.

I'm taking your SheArt class and I love it! Anyone as cute and spunky as you shouldn't have to live with pain. You'll be in my prayers.

[Donna P.]

I wish you all the best, and I hope it all helps you to feel better!! Hugs and Prayers!!
PS. Happy belated Anniversary!

[amy boland~ the gypsy chick]

You go girl! {a you know now that is said with a strong Texas draw!!!} ha ha ha
I am so excited for you & can't but sit here thinking to myself how great it would be to really get healthy, so once again you inspire me!!!
my love to you sweet friend!
XoXxo
amy

[Carolyn D.]

Know you are not alone. It's an adjustment but worth the answers you receive. About 7 months ago I cut out dairy, soy, gluten, yeast, sugar, tomatoes, citric acid, preservatives, and a whole other host of foods that my body had become "allergic" to due to processed foods. My life if coming back now that I am learning what foods bother me. If I hadn't done this I never would have been able to attend and enjoy Inspired! Your class was a true high point of the weekend for me!

One thing that I found helpful was energy work. This includes acupuncture & healing touch energy work. The acupuncture made me feel much better the next day, but I haven't grown to love the whole needle thing. The healing touch massage was amazing. I don't understand how it really works, but with only a light touch I can come out feeling like I have had an incredible massage. My joints don't ache, my heel pain is gone, and I am so uplifted and happy I can't stop smiling for hour! My face hurts from all the smiling. That energy work helped me get through the rougher parts of the food changes.

I am having more pain free days and I know you will too!

[Amy Smith]

Awesome news! When I heard you talking about it in the hearts workshop I wondered if maybe there was something in your diet....I also follow a more whole food diet and I love how I feel....great!! So glad your family is on board too!

[Barbara Marie]

Welcome home and congrats on making the decision, Christy. I, too, had to make changes in my diet and when I did my fibromyalgia was put to rest. Coffee (regular or decaf), milk and sugar were what I discovered caused my pain. It's difficult to give up certain foods and occasionally I indulge (I love ice cream) but I pay the price for it, so everything is a choice! You're in my prayers.

[Kim]

Christy, you are so sweet. I wish you the best of luck and determination on your path the healthy eating! You're starting to inspire me to do the same not for pain management but because it's just the right thing to do. hmmmm we'll see! Later gator.

[Sheryl Spradling]

Christy, I enjoyed meeting you during the "Spring Festival" this last weekend in Texas! I know the new health game plan you have will only have a huge positive effect on your health. I have family and friends with simular problems and it does get down to what we put into our bodies!!!! take care and good luck! May the next 30 days be full of less pain everyday! xoxo

[lori jolley]

You're awesome Christy! I truly hope you find something to help! Hurting all the time is not fun and is so debilitating when its extreme! Love ya!

[Heather]

After hearing a good friend's success with the elimination diet, I've been thinking about trying it too! I am so excited that you're taking control of your own health and trying new things in an effort to find a no-pain way for you. You deserve it! I love that your kids are on board too! Fantastic! XOXO