Health – Cultivating Joy and Peace

2024 Goals

Published on January 5, 2024January 5, 2024 by SylviaLeave a comment

“As long as you are breathing, there is more right with you than there is wrong, no matter how ill or how hopeless you may feel. But if you hope to mobilize your inner capacities for growth and for healing and to take charge in your life on a new level, a certain kind of effort and energy on your part will be required…. It will take conscious effort on your part to move in a direction of healing and inner peace. This means learning to work with the very stress and pain that is causing you to suffer.” Jon Kabat – Zinn

I didnt accomplish a lot of my goals in 2023. Mainly because I let intrusive thoughts, depression and anxiety get the better of me. It wasnt until I took (and still on) a social media break, introspection, unpacking the weight I’ve been carrying on my shoulders and getting closer to God…did most start to finally make sense.

I’ve been so busy looking backwards, pretending as though I’m “happy”, and life has been passing me by. I’ve come to realize that I’ve just been surviving and that just isnt good enough for me anymore. I was in “why” mode. I was in “guilt” mode and I punished myself if I felt any sense of “happiness”. You may have seen a smile on my face but inside I was a hot mess and felt as though I was suffocating.

But then one day, as hubs and I were downtown, I was drawn to a building I’d seen so many times. Long story short, (until I do a separate post) I’m going to do my very best to accomplish most, if not all, of my goals for 2024.

MENTAL HEALTH – SPIRTUALITY – MENTAL WELL-BEING

Form a deeper relationship with God. Spiritual warfare is real.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”– Ephesians 6:10-13

Read the entire bible. You can read it here – Bible In a Year

Stop taking my antidepressant. I’ll do a separate blog post on whether it’s been helpful (or not) and why I’ve decided to stop taking it.

Get back out into nature. Explore more of the state parks in Ga, Ala, and Fla. Being out in nature always does wonders for my soul and mental health and well-being.

Volunteer more

Learn more about the mission trip I’d love to go on in 2025 to Tanzania. It’s through our church. 2018 mission trip.

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Getting Healthy; Take 2

Published on January 16, 2023January 16, 2023 by SylviaLeave a comment

First post of the year! Whoop….

Not off to the best start butI’m going to get there. My problem? Not watching what I eat on the weekends. I start out the week getting down to about 177 and find myself over 180 after eating out over the weekend. The only way to deal with this is….discipline.

Even when ordering food that’s “healthy” it ends up not being when I look at the calories. My plan is to start ordering off the kids menu and making sure I’m eating throughout the day. Of course I want to have a healthy relationship with food and I want to enjoy going out. However, when it’s all said and done, I end up feeling miserable; especially when I consume gluten.

Even if I do eat something labeled “gluten-free” there’s a disclaimer, usually, stating that the food may be in contact with gluten. Unless you are sensitive to gluten and dairy, you will never understand how badly those things affect those that are senstive to them. I’am sensitive to them both. As I type this, I should probably get tested for celiac. Gluten sensitivity.

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Walking to Get Healthy

Published on July 14, 2021July 15, 2021 by SylviaLeave a comment

Walking is one of my favorite things to do because (1) I’m getting some exercise in and (2) being outdoors does wonders for my soul and (3) I learn quite a bit of history about my city and surrounding cities when I stop to read the plaques/signs posted (4) I find myself meeting new people.

The weather here n Florida can be so unpredictable and lately all it’s done is rain just about every day. Not today though so I decided to take advantage of it even though it was hot as hell outside. The real feel was around 91 I believe. Staying hydrated was very, very important and so I brought my water bottle with me filled with water and ice.

I brought a 100 calorie snack by Emerald, that has almonds, dried cranberries, and cashews to eat on my walk. I also brought a protein bar by One (the blueberry is so good), which was half way melted by the time I returned to the car. The next time I’ll bring my insulated bag with ice pack to out it in.

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First Workout Today; Planet Fitness

Published on July 13, 2021July 13, 2021 by SylviaLeave a comment

I will definitely be going back to my regular gym once I’ve seen the physical therapist this week about my shoulder injury. I enjoyed having structure + it’s just a better vibe and fit for me. However, I do like the fact that now the hubs and I can workout together cause he is so not into doing HIIT.

My plan is to downgrade my membership at my gym so that we’re still able to keep the membership with Planet Fitness. The downgrade would give me 8 workouts a month; so 2 days a week at Regymen and 3 days a week at Planet Fitness.

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Giving Up Is Not An Option…

Published on July 10, 2021July 10, 2021 by SylviaLeave a comment

I started feeling a little defeated dealing with this shoulder injury. I haven’t had a good nights sleep in days. The pain and weakness in my shoulder really sucks. I’ve been feeling angry, sad, frustrated and I’ve shed a few tears. The pain seems to be more intense at night and interesting enough when I learned more about shoulder impingement, the pain is worse at night. It’s suggested that you sleep on your back and I’m so not a back sleeper, but if it’ll help with the pain, then that’s what I’m going to try.

I would take the pain I had from my hysterectomy over this because that’s how bad the pain has been. I hate not being able to go to my gym to workout and then add in my other medical issues…..mentally, spiritually and emotionally, I was feeling defeated. Thinking to myself that I really must be a horrible person to keep going through shit.

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Yesterday’s Working

Published on July 7, 2021 by SylviaLeave a comment

If the older me could go back and talk with the younger me, I would tell myself to take better care of myself; mind, body and spirit. Self care has become of utmost importance to me now. I may be going on 52 years old, but I’m doing what I can, that’s within my control.

I strongly suggest being your own advocate to ensure you have doctors that are listening to you as well. You know your body better than anyone. So many things went unnoticed because I put too much trust in what my previous doctors would tell me when I knew something was not right. You have a right to request your medical records and the things that I would come across.

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Impingement Syndrome; Shoulder

Published on July 6, 2021July 7, 2021 by Sylvia1 Comment

I have never experienced pain like this in my shoulders/arms before, so I thought maybe it was just soreness from my pushing myself to go a bit heavier with the weights on certain exercises. Until I went to urgent care today and found out I’m dealing with impingement syndrome of the shoulder.

What is shoulder impingement syndrome?

“This is a painful pinching of soft tissues in your shoulder. It happens when these tissues rub and press against a part of your shoulder blade called the “acromion.” This can irritate your rotator cuff tendons, and also a soft sac called the “subacromial bursa.” (The Institute for Athletic Medicine, 2020)

When I say that shit hurts when I move it the wrong way, I ain’t playing and this is coming from someone with a somewhat high tolerance for pain. I can see why it would be easy not wanting to do the exercises needed to help with this, out of fear from the amount of pain you think you may have. However, I’d rather work on those exercises, than to develop a frozen shoulder.

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Living with Chronic (Invisible)Illnesses

Published on July 4, 2021 by SylviaLeave a comment

Looking at me, you wouldn’t know the constant hell my body goes through every single day. This is another reason why I say we should be careful about what we say about others. You never know what someone is going through. Just thinking about this reminds me of reading some of the hatefulness from people concerning Chadwick Boseman before it was learned that he had cancer.

Last year I was diagnosed with spondylosis (arthritis) in the cervical (neck), thoracic (middle) and lumbar (lower) of my back along with bone spurs at multiple levels. And when I say my back hurts me every.single.day, I’m not joking. I usually just push through, and take some ibuprofen. However, sometimes I get to that point where I can’t tolerate the pain and take the prescribed medication which I hate. When I take it, I’m out (sleep) for the rest of the day.

As if that wasn’t enough, I was diagnosed with large granular lymphocytic leukemia (LGL) which I’ll discuss in another blog post

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We Are Our Worst Critic…

Published on July 20, 2016July 20, 2016 by SylviaLeave a comment

Within the last 3 months or so, I’ve gained at least 20 lbs. It could be a combination of my medical issues – Hypothyroidism. My Hysterectomy – Note to self: Make appointment to have levels checked since I’m on hormonal medication. My not eating healthy which includes my addiction to soda at times. Not exercising…

Previously to my taking note of my weight gain, I was already feeling down in the dumps as I have never been this overweight before. However, I’ve never been one to shy away from taking pictures and posting them (online), regardless as to what I’m wearing. When it comes to wearing certain clothing in public – now. Not happening! No sir reeeee!!!

I’d bought a pretty swimsuit at Wal-Mart awhile back. I wore it to take a picture in and then only wore the top out. I have NEVER worn a bikini (the bottom) before (let alone in public) but I bought this particular swimsuit that has it. I kept telling myself that I was going to step out of my comfort zone (eventually) and wear it in public. That time came over the weekend when the hubster and I went down to the pool to swim.

I recently did a semi-chop to my hair, so excuse the wild hair look *smiling*. Hoping I can stay on this natural hair journey because relaxers seem to be killing my hair.

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An UNnecessary Evil…

Published on June 9, 2014June 10, 2014 by SylviaLeave a comment

An Unnecessary evil would be me referring to – The B*tch aka Aunt flo.

I remember a time, back when trying to conceive, when I looked forward to her coming. Those who have and are dealing with infertility, know what I mean. Fast forward to now. I dread when she comes. Not only do I have small amounts of endometriosis, but also fibroids, so when she starts…It’s like pain straight out of HELL and very VERY heavy.

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