The Challenge of Slowing Down

I have had difficulty accepting that I cannot do what I once could. I am not the same person I once was.

Life in general requires overcoming challenges and obstacles of many types. Life with fibromyalgia introduces its own share of challenges: lack of energy, lack of sleep, chronic pain being the most prevalent.  These things can change who you are and how you approach life. What once was a simple task, such as getting out of bed in the morning, can now be a daily struggle.

In the years since my diagnosis, my biggest challenge has been SLOWING DOWN. I have had difficulty accepting that I cannot do what I once could. I am not the same person I once was. Type A personalities like myself prefer to be in the game rather than sitting on the sidelines.

Adopting health strategies such as a clean diet, regular workouts, and supplements, has helped lessen the daily pain and limited my “flares” of my fibromyalgia. It has allowed me to maintain a moderately active lifestyle. And then I begin to think: Maybe I am OK. Maybe I am in some sort of remission. Maybe I can push myself just a little harder. And that thinking usually ends in a crash and burn, i.e. fibro flare and bed rest. Slowing down, resting allows the body to recover from the stresses put upon it. Without a recovery period, we can do our bodies more harm than good.

Continue reading “The Challenge of Slowing Down”

Clean Eating: Blueberry Smoothie Bowl

Smoothies are a great way to sneak more fruits, vegetables, and fiber into your diet. The combinations and options are endless!

I make a lot of smoothies for breakfast. My typical recipe is high in anti-oxidants and fiber, with all kinds of yummy stuff in it. It’s easy for me to blend up and drink while I am getting ready in the morning. But I have seen this trend of making smoothie bowls so I decided to try my hand at one over the weekend, for my 30 Day Challenge.

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30 Day Challenge – Week 2

This is the third in a series. Read the initial post and Week 1 Progress.

30 day challenge - week 2 results (2)

Here is my Week 2 check-in of my 30 day personal challenge for the month of April.

“Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.” ~Zig Ziglar

Difficult roads

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30 Day Challenge – Week 1 Results

This challenge is about being DELIBERATE. It’s about finding some peace with myself, my body, my physical capabilities, and my limitations.

I made it through week 1!

This is the second in a series. Read the initial post here. 

My body is wearing out. Since 2000 when I was diagnosed with a herniated disc in my lower back and a few months later fibromyalgia, my body seems to have been on a steady decline. I used to be a treadmill warrior, committed to reaching those 10,000 steps a stay so my Fitbit would say “Nice job, Cindy!”. Well injuries and physical therapy and doctors recommendations to try something else have convinced me that perhaps I needed to fold up the treadmill for good. Or at least for the next 30 days…

So I embarked on my 30 Day Challenge with these guidelines: Continue reading “30 Day Challenge – Week 1 Results”