Monday, November 13, 2017
Keeping it Real
One thing that is important to me with this blog, with my NeesaFit coaching, and in my life in general is that I am honest, authentic, and REAL.
If I paint a picture of my life and my journey to my best self as a rosy perfect life where I happily work out several hours each day and eat a 100% nutritious diet... that would be a lie! And that would not benefit me or anyone else who may read my posts.
I am NOT a "perfect" anything. No one is. I do not have a bikini-ready body and I never will. I am mindful of what I eat, but I enjoy good food, I enjoy cooking and baking for my family, and I eat things that I shouldn't sometimes.
I have a chronic illness and I struggle EVERY DAY with chronic pain. Some days the pain overrules my desire to workout and I spend the day curled up on the couch with my heating pad. Some weeks I have several of those days.
For me, my journey is about so much more than "fitness". It's about becoming my best self; getting as healthy as I have the power to become, growing spiritually and intellectually, and enjoying my life!
As for my health, I can't cure the damage to my spinal cord or the pain that it brings. But I CAN take responsibility for the things I do have control of, like my weight, proper nutrition, exercising within my limitations, and maintaining my emotional well being.
I've always believed in using the experiences in my life to help and encourage others. We each have unique stories, experiences good and bad, that mold and shape us into who we are. Part of being our best self is to have emotional support that helps to encourage and educate us along our journey. It is my desire to share my story in the hope of encouraging others who may be going through some of the same things as I.
It is sometimes discouraging... I feel frustrated recently... as though I am not connecting with anyone. I feel "invisible" on this World Wide Web. But honestly, if ONE person reads my posts and is encouraged or inspired, then I am honored.
If I paint a picture of my life and my journey to my best self as a rosy perfect life where I happily work out several hours each day and eat a 100% nutritious diet... that would be a lie! And that would not benefit me or anyone else who may read my posts.
I am NOT a "perfect" anything. No one is. I do not have a bikini-ready body and I never will. I am mindful of what I eat, but I enjoy good food, I enjoy cooking and baking for my family, and I eat things that I shouldn't sometimes.
I have a chronic illness and I struggle EVERY DAY with chronic pain. Some days the pain overrules my desire to workout and I spend the day curled up on the couch with my heating pad. Some weeks I have several of those days.
For me, my journey is about so much more than "fitness". It's about becoming my best self; getting as healthy as I have the power to become, growing spiritually and intellectually, and enjoying my life!
As for my health, I can't cure the damage to my spinal cord or the pain that it brings. But I CAN take responsibility for the things I do have control of, like my weight, proper nutrition, exercising within my limitations, and maintaining my emotional well being.
I've always believed in using the experiences in my life to help and encourage others. We each have unique stories, experiences good and bad, that mold and shape us into who we are. Part of being our best self is to have emotional support that helps to encourage and educate us along our journey. It is my desire to share my story in the hope of encouraging others who may be going through some of the same things as I.
It is sometimes discouraging... I feel frustrated recently... as though I am not connecting with anyone. I feel "invisible" on this World Wide Web. But honestly, if ONE person reads my posts and is encouraged or inspired, then I am honored.
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
SMILE... even when it hurts
(Goofy #snapchat photo😬)
.
One thing Ive learned along this Journey to #mybestlife is that it is important to be in control of my state of mind...as much as possible. We ALL have "those" days when the pain seems to win. But i know now that i CAN prevent the pain from totally controlling every aspect of my LIFE!!💙
It just takes a little focus and making small, gradual, positive changes to have a HUGE IMPACT on our lives!🌱
.
@Neesafit on IG #NeesaFIT on FB
www.facebook.com/mybestselfwithbb
..........................................
.
One thing Ive learned along this Journey to #mybestlife is that it is important to be in control of my state of mind...as much as possible. We ALL have "those" days when the pain seems to win. But i know now that i CAN prevent the pain from totally controlling every aspect of my LIFE!!💙
It just takes a little focus and making small, gradual, positive changes to have a HUGE IMPACT on our lives!🌱
.
@Neesafit on IG #NeesaFIT on FB
www.facebook.com/mybestselfwithbb
..........................................
Tired of Watching Life Happen outside my Window
Hoping this works! I'm new at this Blog business!
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=304830370000129&substory_index=0&id=293057374510762
This link is to a recent post on my #NeesaFIT FB page.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=304830370000129&substory_index=0&id=293057374510762
This link is to a recent post on my #NeesaFIT FB page.
Friday, October 13, 2017
Thinking Back...
THINKING BACK
Life seems to hold various phases for each of us... We have our childhood, the Tumultuous Teens, becoming an adult, Falling in Love, etc. But even beyond those obvious stages of life, we go through many emotional and physical ups and downs.
Today I thought a lot about how far I've come in just a years time. Currently I am down nearly 40 pounds from where I was one year ago! For the first time EVER in my life I make time for light exercise, yoga and/or stretches each day...and amazingly my chronic RSD pain is BETTER for it. I look forward to waking up each day for the 1rst time in decades! Granted, I'm not claiming my life is all sunshine and roses! I still live with chronic illness and all that comes with it... nothing will ever change that! But I am learning each day to accept my responsibility to do whatever I can to HELP my body be its best.
THE UGLY TRUTH
In 2008 I had my last spinal cord surgery. Just like the previous one in 1999, the surgery resulted in a life threatening infection in the wound that landed me in a skilled nursing facility for 6 months. My neurological deficits only increased, making me unable to control bladder/bowel function, pain levels increased, and my ability to walk was nearly gone.
From 2008 to Dec. 2016 I literally spent 98% of my life in bed. I no longer did the things I loved most; cooking, baking, gardening, craft projects, writing... I couldn't focus on ANYTHING! My weight ballooned to bigger than ever before! I was craving sweets and salty snacks! I would eat one snack cake after another, trying to bury my pain and disappointment for how the surgery went.
My husband eventually stopped sleeping in the same bed with me. Partly because my insomnia kept me up reading or watching tv all night long, and partly because I was accumulating so much clutter around me! Lots of books, journals, Art projects, boxes of snacks, stacks of folded clothes, Get Well gifts and cards... Looking back I think it was another way for me to bury the pain.
For either physical or emotional reasons, I no longer was able to take care of myself. I could not dress myself, my husband had to wipe my butt and clean my sheets, I had to have my hair cut drastically short because I wasn't able to brush it regularly and it became one big mat! TWICE! I went for sometimes WEEKS between real showers, only doing little "bed baths" in between! My home and my laundry told my secret to anyone who came around... I WAS NOT "FINE"!
The death of my Dad really set this downward climb into a high-speed descent to the bottomless pit of despair! I remember a particular day when I became aware of a very odd, foreign feeling, that at first I couldn't quite define. As a Christian, my faith has always sustained me. With 45 surgeries, countless hospitalizations, serious financial struggles, raising children,... still, I always knew that God will make each trial a blessing. I always had HOPE. Until I didn't.
THAT was the foreign feeling I was experiencing. The complete and total loss of hope it was horrible! No one loved their husband and family more than I! But this was such a deep, personal feeling of loss, pain, and HOPELESSNESS, it seemed that nothing could penetrate it.
I DONT EVER WANT TO FEEL THAT WAY AGAIN!! I am so grateful that God opened my eyes to the DOORWAY out of that pit. I'm still on the journey... I'm not perfect. But I love sharing my story in the hope that someone may be inspired. Next time, I will share about my FIRST STEPS OUT OF THE PIT.
🌹Love
Life seems to hold various phases for each of us... We have our childhood, the Tumultuous Teens, becoming an adult, Falling in Love, etc. But even beyond those obvious stages of life, we go through many emotional and physical ups and downs.
Today I thought a lot about how far I've come in just a years time. Currently I am down nearly 40 pounds from where I was one year ago! For the first time EVER in my life I make time for light exercise, yoga and/or stretches each day...and amazingly my chronic RSD pain is BETTER for it. I look forward to waking up each day for the 1rst time in decades! Granted, I'm not claiming my life is all sunshine and roses! I still live with chronic illness and all that comes with it... nothing will ever change that! But I am learning each day to accept my responsibility to do whatever I can to HELP my body be its best.
THE UGLY TRUTH
In 2008 I had my last spinal cord surgery. Just like the previous one in 1999, the surgery resulted in a life threatening infection in the wound that landed me in a skilled nursing facility for 6 months. My neurological deficits only increased, making me unable to control bladder/bowel function, pain levels increased, and my ability to walk was nearly gone.
From 2008 to Dec. 2016 I literally spent 98% of my life in bed. I no longer did the things I loved most; cooking, baking, gardening, craft projects, writing... I couldn't focus on ANYTHING! My weight ballooned to bigger than ever before! I was craving sweets and salty snacks! I would eat one snack cake after another, trying to bury my pain and disappointment for how the surgery went.
My husband eventually stopped sleeping in the same bed with me. Partly because my insomnia kept me up reading or watching tv all night long, and partly because I was accumulating so much clutter around me! Lots of books, journals, Art projects, boxes of snacks, stacks of folded clothes, Get Well gifts and cards... Looking back I think it was another way for me to bury the pain.
For either physical or emotional reasons, I no longer was able to take care of myself. I could not dress myself, my husband had to wipe my butt and clean my sheets, I had to have my hair cut drastically short because I wasn't able to brush it regularly and it became one big mat! TWICE! I went for sometimes WEEKS between real showers, only doing little "bed baths" in between! My home and my laundry told my secret to anyone who came around... I WAS NOT "FINE"!
The death of my Dad really set this downward climb into a high-speed descent to the bottomless pit of despair! I remember a particular day when I became aware of a very odd, foreign feeling, that at first I couldn't quite define. As a Christian, my faith has always sustained me. With 45 surgeries, countless hospitalizations, serious financial struggles, raising children,... still, I always knew that God will make each trial a blessing. I always had HOPE. Until I didn't.
THAT was the foreign feeling I was experiencing. The complete and total loss of hope it was horrible! No one loved their husband and family more than I! But this was such a deep, personal feeling of loss, pain, and HOPELESSNESS, it seemed that nothing could penetrate it.
I DONT EVER WANT TO FEEL THAT WAY AGAIN!! I am so grateful that God opened my eyes to the DOORWAY out of that pit. I'm still on the journey... I'm not perfect. But I love sharing my story in the hope that someone may be inspired. Next time, I will share about my FIRST STEPS OUT OF THE PIT.
🌹Love
Sunday, October 8, 2017
New Chapter
I am feeling excited to share this new chapter in my journey! (Learning to create this blog being a part of this journey!)
I am still currently experiencing difficulties with changes in my chronic illness. But THAT is not what I want to focus on today. In spite of those issues I am learning to no longer be the victim of chronic illness. I want to be in control of my life experiences. I can't change the fact that I have a chronic illness, but I CAN control my reaction to it!
This year I have, for the first time in my life, focused on better nutrition, moving my body more, and working towards being MY BEST SELF. I will never look good in a bikini! And I will never be an athlete. But I can do what my physical limitations allow to improve my health and be my version of FIT!
I am trying to practice CLEAN EATING, which means eating more WHOLE FOODS like fresh fruits & veggies, nuts, seeds, lean proteins, eggs, whole grains... foods that are basically untouched by man. Eating less processed foods, prepackaged meals, and fast food. DIETING DOES NOT WORK! Self-deprivation does not work! But making small, gradual improvements, making better food choices at least 80% of the time can have a BIG IMPACT on our health! My husband stopped drinking sodas and his beloved "sweet tea", ate more sensible portion sizes, and cut out most sugary snacks, and he lost over 60 pounds this year! Just by making those changes alone! We both strive to stick to an 80/20 Lifestyle meaning 80% of the time we are making better food choices and getting some form of light exercise. The other 20% of the time we allow for a Friday night pizza, or a couple of light beers on a night out. Strict dieting and hardcore exercise routines are nearly impossible to stick to for most people!
I have also learned this year that it IS POSSIBLE to exercise as a person with chronic illness and pain. I have had to accept that the doctors and physical therapists were right about this one! "Move it or lose it". Muscles atrophy...shrink and weaken...with being sedentary. We tend to think that because we are in pain, it's best to not move around. But I have learned that even on my worst pain days, I can do some light stretching exercises or basic yoga, and I actually FEEL BETTER! Who knew!?
I would never advocate pushing our bodies beyond safe limits, and obviously not EVERYTHING works for EVERY BODY. But the smallest of changes can have BIG impact! Just be YOUR BEST self!
I do not exercise everyday. I do not get in all my recommended veggies everyday. I make no claims to be perfect, nor do I claim to be an expert on fitness and nutrition. I am not! I am simply sharing my experiences with learning to become the very best version of myself that I can be. One day at a time.
If you would like to share this journey with me, please follow this blog, follow me on Instagram at @neesafit, and please follow me on Facebook at: #NeesaFIT
I will be hosting various challenge groups and GIVEAWAYS from time to time.
🌸Love, Light & Laughter
I am still currently experiencing difficulties with changes in my chronic illness. But THAT is not what I want to focus on today. In spite of those issues I am learning to no longer be the victim of chronic illness. I want to be in control of my life experiences. I can't change the fact that I have a chronic illness, but I CAN control my reaction to it!
This year I have, for the first time in my life, focused on better nutrition, moving my body more, and working towards being MY BEST SELF. I will never look good in a bikini! And I will never be an athlete. But I can do what my physical limitations allow to improve my health and be my version of FIT!
I am trying to practice CLEAN EATING, which means eating more WHOLE FOODS like fresh fruits & veggies, nuts, seeds, lean proteins, eggs, whole grains... foods that are basically untouched by man. Eating less processed foods, prepackaged meals, and fast food. DIETING DOES NOT WORK! Self-deprivation does not work! But making small, gradual improvements, making better food choices at least 80% of the time can have a BIG IMPACT on our health! My husband stopped drinking sodas and his beloved "sweet tea", ate more sensible portion sizes, and cut out most sugary snacks, and he lost over 60 pounds this year! Just by making those changes alone! We both strive to stick to an 80/20 Lifestyle meaning 80% of the time we are making better food choices and getting some form of light exercise. The other 20% of the time we allow for a Friday night pizza, or a couple of light beers on a night out. Strict dieting and hardcore exercise routines are nearly impossible to stick to for most people!
I have also learned this year that it IS POSSIBLE to exercise as a person with chronic illness and pain. I have had to accept that the doctors and physical therapists were right about this one! "Move it or lose it". Muscles atrophy...shrink and weaken...with being sedentary. We tend to think that because we are in pain, it's best to not move around. But I have learned that even on my worst pain days, I can do some light stretching exercises or basic yoga, and I actually FEEL BETTER! Who knew!?
I would never advocate pushing our bodies beyond safe limits, and obviously not EVERYTHING works for EVERY BODY. But the smallest of changes can have BIG impact! Just be YOUR BEST self!
I do not exercise everyday. I do not get in all my recommended veggies everyday. I make no claims to be perfect, nor do I claim to be an expert on fitness and nutrition. I am not! I am simply sharing my experiences with learning to become the very best version of myself that I can be. One day at a time.
If you would like to share this journey with me, please follow this blog, follow me on Instagram at @neesafit, and please follow me on Facebook at: #NeesaFIT
I will be hosting various challenge groups and GIVEAWAYS from time to time.
🌸Love, Light & Laughter
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