This Is What Works For Me
How do I do so well when I have an autoimmune disease?
That’s a great question, and I’m going to tell you.
A couple days ago, someone asked me how I’m doing so well when I have this rare autoimmune disease.
Because, as she said, most people aren’t.
It’s scary.
1 in 15 people in the US now have an autoimmune disease.
Wow, isn’t that sad.
I have statin-induced necrotizing myopathy. Right! It’s a mouthful…
It’s categorized as Myositis.
Myositis is a family of rare muscle inflammatory diseases that cause muscle weakness and damage to the muscles of the body.
So, how do I do so well after ten years of fighting this disease?
My response is always the same.
“That’s a great question.”
And I think it’s a simple one. Yet, so complicated at the same time.
I don’t listen to many people. I only listen to about half of what my doctor says, and NO ONE—
who has an autoimmune disease.
Because let’s face it, it will just be bad advice.
The doctors really don’t know, or they won’t tell me if they do.
They’ll give me a temporary solution, using medication to mask the symptoms.
They don’t really listen to me.
It’s the same thing every visit. I explain my symptoms only to be ignored.
I tell him I feel like dirt, and I’m always in pain.
And he says the same thing: “Your numbers look great. Let’s keep doing the current treatment plan, and I’ll see you in three months.”
Over and over and over—again.
The same conversation.
For years now.
And the other patients?
They’re desperate.
They have given up.
And they definitely don’t have anything to offer other than sympathy.
And that’s okay. I get it. I’ve been there.
I got the award.
First, you start by labeling yourself. Trying to find out the name of this problem.
Because you think if you can figure out what you have—then—maybe you can find a solution.
But that’s not how it works.
Because when you figure out the name, that doesn’t mean the solution is going to be easy.
And as a matter of fact, it’s probably going to be very hard. With lots and lots of trial and error.
That’s how it was for me. Years of trying all kinds of—things.
Treatments. Drugs. And supplements.
Diets and exercises.
Reading and learning about my body.
Lots and lots of empty attempts.
To one day realize it was a simple problem.
Something I did my whole life without even knowing.
It’s everywhere. It’s so many things.
It’s what I ate.
It’s what I drank.
It’s the products I used.
I put them on my face, and in my hair, and even into my body.
Years and years of chemicals, pesticides, and toxins.
It was the deodorant, the shampoo, and the lotions.
The hair dye.
It was literally my whole routine and lifestyle—for years and years—killing me.
Slowly.
A whole lifetime of chemicals, pesticides, and toxins.
So, what did I do?
I went organic.
Natural.
And NOT perfect.
I still eat burgers and fries, and occasionally the potato chips, cookies, and cakes.
I choose to have homemade bread over shelf. I buy it at the bakery rather than aisle 6.
I bake my own cookies.
I buy cheddar cheese with 8 ingredients instead of 15.
My deodorant is made in West Virginia.
My shampoo, conditioner, and soap are one and the same. A bar with zinc and emu oil.
I just ordered an ice cream maker. It’s going to sit on the counter, and only takes 30 minutes.
I eat things to prevent inflammation, like avocados and blueberries, and lots of proteins and vitamins.
I meditate.
I stretch.
I walk.
I work out.
Nothing crazy. Just a few moves in my living room. I can literally do my routine in less than 40 minutes.
My short meditation only takes a minute, and I stretch for 5 more. I do a 5-minute man-boob exercise video, and then I lift a few weights for another 5 minutes, and lastly I do a few squats and push-ups.
That’s it.
I don’t drink soda pops, energy drinks, and alcohol.
I can’t.
I drink creatine and amino acids. It helps replenish and restore my body.
Amino acids are essential for building proteins, which are crucial for various bodily functions such as repairing tissues, making hormones, collagen, and supporting the immune system.
I read labels looking for ingredients that I can’t pronounce. And if I can’t pronounce it, there’s a pretty good chance I don’t need it in my body.
And if the list is long, nope, I’m not having it.
It costs a lot to eat healthy. But can I really put a number on my health? No.
I read and listen to positive messages.
I believe in the law of attraction, and you get what you think about.
And most importantly, I don’t set unrealistic goals and expectations on myself.
If I don’t work out… That’s okay.
I forgive myself and start again.
And that might be the most important thing of all.
Forgiving myself.
Because this life is not easy.
It’s busy.
It’s fast.
I’m constantly going somewhere, and there is always somewhere I feel like I need to be.
So, I try to slow it down, and concentrate on what is really important.
And what’s really important?
My health.
Nothing matters more.
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If you would like to know more about the products I use, shoot me a message or email. You can find my info on the website or Facebook.
